Book excerpt: Over 6,000 plants, an A-Z index of 1,000 cross-referenced English common names, and 500 full-color photographs make this mixture of dictionary and encyclopedia the gardener's essential plant guide. Every entry indicates the type and size of the plant, its hardiness, recommended varieties, and growing tips. Most are well known and easy to find, but there are rarer varieties, too. Bonus: a list of "family names" that breaks down all related genera, including over 170 families of flowering plants, plus ferns and conifers.