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Good book on growing perennials?

NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
in Tools and techniques
I am looking for a good practical book on growing perennial flowers in a greenhouse, nurturing, watering, feeding, potting on, when to plant out, maintaining the border, how to stake, etc. Something that covers the needs of different perennials in different soils and climates too.

I was browsing a****n and wondering if anyone has any opinions on Tracy Disabto Aust’s Well Tended Perennial Garden or AT’s Perennial Garden Plants? Any others you would recommend? 

Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    I can recommend Tracy D’s book although I’m not surethat it has too much in it about greenhouse stuff.

    Good general stuff about border design and preparation and practical info about staking, dividing, feeding plants etc. She also spends time explaining the Chelsea chop & gives quite a bit of info as to which plants respond well to it & which ones don’t. I’ve not found that info in many books. Nice to read too.

    I haven’t seen that particular AT book - but I generally prefer his books to his TV programmes. Usually well researched and informative and very readable. 



    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • StevedaylillyStevedaylilly Posts: 1,102
    You could look at The Pocket Flower Expect by Dr Hessayon. It covers a lot of info on all flowering perennial plants including propogation, site and soil, planting, plant care etc.
    The pocket book size is 10" x 4" so very handy to carry about and use at garden centres and nurseries 
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I don’t know the Dr. H so will have a look at that. AT is quite irritating on the telly, but sounds as if his books are better. It’s frustrating not being able to get to a bookshop to look, having to rely on mailorder, so your help is much appreciated.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Who is AT?
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Papi Jo said:
    Who is AT?
    Alan Titchmarsh


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • StevedaylillyStevedaylilly Posts: 1,102
    Look on the Internet to check the Dr Hessayon expert books. They cover all types of gardening specifically lawn care, glowering shrubs, perennial plants, alpine etc 
    Most GC sell these books aswell 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    He never used to be irritating and can be a fount of wonderful gardening wisdom when he isn't being soppy and stoopid as he is on Love Your Garden the last time I saw it.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • StevedaylillyStevedaylilly Posts: 1,102
    Sorry flowering shrubs 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited April 2018
    He is a great writer.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I've never seen the recent TV stuff, but AT knows about gardening and some of the earlier progs, now on youtube, eg 'How to be a Gardener' are worth watching


    In the sticks near Peterborough
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