Perennials for Ontario

Beryl Hamilton is a freelance writer in Thunder Bay who specializes in
home gardening.

Alison Beck, an accomplished writer of gardening guides, and Kathy
Renwald, well known for her gardening programs on HGTV, have produced a
first-rate reference here for Ontario gardeners. These “field
guides” are clearly and concisely written, vividly illustrated, and
easy to use. The introductions to the vagaries of Ontario climates do a
fine job defining the province’s three main climate regions and
explaining where one can expect hardy, semi-hardy, and tender annuals
and perennials to do well, while also offering advice on plant
selection, care, and propagation. The short essays on pests and
diseases, which are accompanied by close-up illustrations that make
identification of enemies easy, are particularly well done. The
alphabetized entries for each flower are arranged by common name (82
annuals and 86 perennials are covered) and include several
illustrations, basic information about the species, and recommendations
for planting and choosing cultivars.

The clarity of the illustrations and descriptions makes identifying and
visualizing plants a snap. The format and feel of the guides make them
superbly “flippable,” meaning that one can access desired
information very quickly, cross-referencing entries with ease. The
“Flowers at a Glance” pages, which group together smaller
illustrations of each entry, are especially helpful for locating or
discovering suitable flowers. As a tool for the garden enthusiast
seeking new combinations or simply researching the success or failure of
past efforts with annuals and perennials, these gardening guides are
sure to satisfy.