Armitage's Manual of Annuals, Biennials, and Half-Hardy Perennials

Annuals are experiencing a resurgence as today's gardeners demand a wider variety of options. No longer confined to monotone bedding plants, dozens of "unusual" annuals are now available at garden centers in colors and forms far removed from the classic annual bed of pink petunias or red geraniums. In the tradition of his classic Herbaceous Perennial Plants, Allan M. Armitage has compiled descriptions and assessments of 245 genera of true annuals as well as plants that behave like annuals in USDA zones 1–7. Focusing on identifying the plants, successful culture, and their primary garden attributes, Armitage discusses 279 species in detail and summarizes the distinguishing features of hundreds of cultivars, many of which he has tested himself. Classics like begonias and pelargoniums are juxtaposed with newcomers from Australia, and all are subject to Armitage's critical eye. Color photos and line drawings illustrate the text, and he suggests additional reading in books, articles, and Web sites for many of the covered genera. Armitage bases his descriptions on extensive personal experience. His frank and conversational style keeps potentially dry details fresh, and each entry is liberally sprinkled with strong and sometimes amusing opinions. Useful lists in the appendix are further evidence of his expertise, as he compiles biennials, half-hardy perennials, winter annuals, shade-tolerant plants, fragrant plants, climbing plants, and everlastings. These lists extend the volume's application beyond a necessary tool for horticulturists and nurserymen to a practical guide for the dedicated home gardener. Allan M. Armitage Has Compiled Descriptions And Assessments Of 245 Genera Of Annuals, Biennials, And Half-hardy Perennials For American Gardeners. Focusing On Plant Identification, Successful Culture, And Primary Garden Attributes, Armitage Discusses 279 Species In Detail And Summarizes The Distinguishing Features Of Hundreds Of Cultivars, Many Of Which He Has Tested Himself. Standards Like Begonias And Pelargoniums Are Juxtaposed With Newcomers From Australia, And All Are Subject To Armitage's Critical Eye. Color Photos And Line Drawings Illustrate The Text, And Armitage Suggests Additional Reading In Books, Articles, And Web Sites For Many Of The Genera.. Armitage Bases His Descriptions On Extensive Personal Experience, Sprinkling Entries With Strong And Sometimes Amusing Opinions That Keep Potentially Dry Details Fresh. Useful Lists In The Appendix Are Further Evidence Of His Expertise. These Lists - Of Biennials, Half-hardy Perennials, Winter Annuals, Shade-tolerant Plants, Fragrant Plants, Climbing Plants, And Everlastings - Extend The Volume's Application Beyond A Necessary Tool For Horticulturists And Nurserymen To A Practical Guide For The Dedicated Home Gardener.--book Jacket. Acknowledgments -- Preface -- A-to-z Genera -- Selected Bibliography -- Appendix: Useful Lists -- Biennials -- Half-hardy Perennials -- Winter Annuals -- Shade-tolerant Plants -- Fragrant Plants -- Climbing Plants -- Everlastings -- U.s. Department Of Agriculture Hardiness Zone Map -- Index Of Botanical Names -- Index Of Common Names. Allan M. Armitage ; Illustrations By Asha Kays And Chris Johnson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 511). Compiles descriptions and assessments of 245 genera of true annuals as well as plants that behave like annuals in USDA zones 1-7. Focusing on identifying the plants, successful culture, and their primary garden attributes, this title discusses 279 species and summarizes the features of many cultivars, many of which the author has tested himself. # Hardcover: 604 pages # Publisher: Timber Press,Incorporated (September 1,2001) # Language: English # ISBN-10: 0881925055 # ISBN-13: 978-0881925050 The generic name comes from the Arabic, abu-i-misk ("the father of musk"), an allusion to the smell of Abelmoschus moschatus (musk mallow) seeds.