Diane Heilenman

This is a very fine book for anyone who wants to do some serious gardening in the midwest. The author is experienced, and opinionated about what will grow well in our zones 5 and 6. There is useful advice about reliable plants, garden design, plant sources, basic equipment - all helpful to the novice gardener with serious intentions. This is not the book for someone who wants standrard suburban landscaping or who hopes for a pretty yard with as little work as possible. If you long for borders that have something to offer in all seasons, or you want to plant a few trees and shrubs that will do well and still not be just like your neighbors, this is the book for you. I don't recall every seeing a gardening book that was as clearly writtien for the conditions and possiblities of my location; so many garden writers seem to live in the East, or the Northwest, where Zone 5 means something a little different than it does in Illinois. There are no garden plans, no mixed border lists, no specific instructions. There is plenty of advice from an experienced gardener that can be applied to small or large gardens. Much of this advice may will make your choices more likely to be successful, and your gardening experiments more interesting.… (altro)