Three Seasons of Summer

Library Journal

At first glance, these books appear similar: they cover the same ground, offer stunning photographs, and are written by well-qualified authors and lecturers. Hogue owns a specialty nursery near Toronto and appears frequently on radio and television. Clarke (Gardening with Foliage Plants, LJ 6/1/97) is known internationally as a lecturer on garden history and design. But the books are very different in tone, approach, and style. Amazing Annuals is a practical reference source that begins with an essay on the origins and uses of annuals. Hogue provides lists of annuals for various situations, then discusses color, fragrance, and container gardening. The core of the book is an alphabetical list of annuals, with descriptions, color photos, and growing conditions. Hogue gives good instructions for starting annuals from seed, pointing out that it is the only way to escape the limited variety offered as plants by garden centers. An extensive chart at the end of the book lists even more annuals than are included in the photo section, with description, height, colors, moisture, soil, light requirements, germination, and comments. Selected sources of annuals in North America, England, and on the Internet are included. Three Seasons of Summer is written in a narrative style that is at times poetic and includes anecdotes and personal experiences. Heuff's breathtaking photographs show annuals growing in borders, potagers, meadows, and containers, often in two-page spreads. They illustrate combinations of colors, textures, and heights, taking the reader from early spring through late fall. Although Clarke now lives in Texas, this is an English gardening book and not practical for North American gardeners. But in any case this is not a how-to book, instead providing pleasure and inspiration that can be translated to other environments. Both titles introduce readers to new annuals and provide creative ideas for their use. If your budget only allows one book, Amazing Annuals is the better choice for North American libraries.--Carol Cubberley, Univ. of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.