Book excerpt: "Illustrated throughout with nearly 600 color photographs and original pen-and-ink drawings, the book is smartly separated by plant type into five encyclopedic sections. Detailed descriptions include temperature hardiness zones, flowering and fruit-ripening times, and recommendations for cultivation (light, soil, moisture, drainage) and siting, from streambanks to parking strips. Propagation methods and the native habitat and range are provided for each species; discursive notes on subspecies and related plants round out each entry. A series of lists suggesting natives for particular garden situations or themes - arid or sodden; hedgerows and meadows; hummingbird and rock gardens concludes the book."--BOOK JACKET.