Table of Contents
Part 1
Ground Rules
Getting Started 10
Perennial, Biennial, and Annual Flowers 12
Natives vs. Non-natives 16
Contain Your Enthusiasm! 20
Soil Matters 22
The Dirt on Dirt 24
The pH-enomenal Effects of pH 26
Make the Most of Compost 28
How to Start Seeds 30
U.S. Frosts and Growing Seasons 34
Canadian Frosts and Growing Seasons 35
When to Plant 36
Flowers
Aster 42
Astilbe 45
Bee Balm 48
Black-Eyed Susan 50
Bleeding Heart 53
Canna 55
Chrysanthemum 60
Clematis 63
Columbine 66
Coneflower 68
Coreopsis 72
Dahlia 74
Delphinium 79
Dianthus 82
Foxglove 85
Hollyhock 87
Hydrangea 90
Iris 96
Jasmine 100
Lavender 103
Lilac 107
Lily 111
Lily-of-the-Valley 115
Lupine 117
Peony 120
Rhododendron 124
Rose 127
Salvia 133
Sunflower 137
Tulip 141
Viburnum 145
Wisteria 148
Part 2
Inspiration
Expert Advice for Constant Color 156
Perennials for Every Region 160
Tiny Bulbs 162
9 Summer-Flowering Shrubs 166
Feather Your Nest 172
Hear the Buzz? 176
Enjoy More, Labor Less 178
Cut Flower Care 182
How to Dry Flowers 186
Growing Concerns
Dealing With Flower Diseases and Pests 190
Facts About Fertilizers 202
Be Water Wise 206
Putting the Garden to Bed 208
Lore and More
Interpreting Plant Names 214
The Language of Flowers 216
Birth Month Flowers 218
Journal Pages
Flower Tracker 15
Natives in My Garden 19
My Soil's pH 27
My Seed-Starting Record 33
My Planting Record 39
How Does My Garden Grow? 152, 153
My Color Inventory 159
My Bulb Inventory 164, 165
My Shrubs 171
Observations and Reminders 181, 219
My Cutting Flowers 185
Disease and Pest Record 201
My Fertilizer Record 205
Cleanup Checklist 211
Index 220