Jacqueline Heriteau
AUTHOR

Jacqueline (Jacqui) Heriteau is the author of more than 20 books on gardening, many of them Book of the Month and Rodale club selections. Her Feast of Soups has remained in print since 1980. Jacqui's most recent book is the New England Gardener's Guide (2003), co-authored with her daughter, Holly Hunter Stonehill.

THE WELL-TENDED PERENNIAL GARDEN
Planting and Pruning Techniques
By Tracy DiSabato-Aust (1998)
The Well-Tended Perennial Garden is the book I turn to when I need help with the flower gardens. Tracy's book is an easy read and has complete, excellent information on planting and grow-ing perennials. In addition, the big plus is Tracy's advice on using pruning and dead-heading to produce more flowers, encourage lush new growth, stagger bloom times, discourage pests, and encourage vigorous good health in perennials. That aspect of the work is original, based on Tracy's personal explorations and a huge help for pros as well as amateurs. (See also The Well-Designed Mixed Garden below.)

THE VEGETABLE GARDENER'S BIBLE
By Edward C. Smith (2000)
This is my bible on the subject. It has answers to every question I've ever asked it--masses of clear useful 'teaching' photos, planting plans, tables, good organization, good writing, and it is written by a gardener who has done it all and continues to do it all very well. Ed's approach is organic and environmentally responsible within reason, and he does know, and tell, which deterrent to use for which pest and disease.

DIRR'S HARDY TREES & SHRUBS
An Illustrated Encyclopedia
By Michael A. Dirr (1997)
This illustrated encyclopedia is the reference work I turn to most often for information on woody plants. Dirr was recommended by the experts at the U.S. National Arboretum when I was writing the National Arboretum Book of Outstanding Garden Plants, and he has been my guide ever since. This book, together with the blurbs in a good mail order catalog, is all any gardener needs to choose and grow woody plants successfully. The CD is also now available.

PLANTS THAT MERIT ATTENTION
Vol. I, Trees
By The Garden Club of America and Janet M. Poor, ed. (1984)
This is the first in a planned series intended to increase the knowledge of gardeners in the wealth of material available that can be 'readily grown' and that will 'enhance and distinguish the landscapes of the varied regions of North America.' Trees includes discussion of 143 species with full information, cultural and landscape value, as well as color photographs of bark, leaves, and flowers of the trees.

PLANTS THAT MERIT ATTENTION
Vol. II, Shrubs
By The Garden Club of America, Nancy Peter- son Brewster, and Janet M. Poor, ed. (1996) The second volume of the planned series includes discussion of more than 900 'superior shrubs' that are unusual, beautiful, pest-and disease-resistant, tolerant of a variety of environments, and readily available in at least one major region of the United States. An appendix includes nursery sources throughout the country.

AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY A-Z ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GARDEN PLANTS
By Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk, eds. (1997)
This is a comprehensive, detailed, and lavishly illustrated guide to more than 15,000 ornamental plants, accompanied by nearly 6,000 full color photographs. Ease of use, in-depth profiles, and unique photography, along with an informative introduction and glossary, make this an essential reference work for all gardeners--from novices to experts.

THE HERBALIST'S GARDEN
A Guided Tour of 10 Exceptional Herb Gardens
By Shatoiya and Richard de la Tour (2001)
This is a landscape design book that offers a very different inspiration for your foray into the world of herb gardening. It's a collection of profiles of people who nurture their life's passion for herbs by installing them with an eye on landscape design. The photographs, by Saxton Holt, are superb. The authors approach the herbal movement by visiting ten meticulously designed medicinal and culinary gardens.

THE WRITER IN THE GARDEN/b>
By Jane Garmey, ed. (1999)
Difficult to put down, this collection of essays contains the wisdom of over 50 authors. Henry Mitchell, internationally known for his articles in The Washington Post, until his death in 1993; Gertrude Jekyll, 1843 to 1932, was one of the most influential landscape designers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; Jamaica Kincaid, critically acclaimed author and impassioned gardener from Antigua, living with her family in Vermont are a small sampling of the prestigious writers represented.

CONTINUOUS BLOOM
By Pam Duthie (2000)
My favorite perennial reference book. This book features long-blooming perennials, with excellent information on soil preferences, sun/shade requirements, as well as a list of companion plants that bloom at the same time. An added bonus is that these are all low-maintenance perennials, chosen for their disease resistance, minimal care needs, and good-looking foliage all season long.

THE WELL-DESIGNED MIXED GARDEN
Building Beds and Borders with Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, Annuals, and Bulbs
By Tracy DiSabato-Aust (2003)
Good garden design is just the start to get the beautiful garden of one's dreams, for without a long- term maintenance plan, the garden will never amount to much. I used to rely on The Well-Tended Perennial Garden (see Jacqui Heriteau's list above--Ed.). Tracy's new book, The Well-Designed Mixed Garden, has moved to the top of the stack. In addition to her excellent ideas about plant combinations and planting design, she includes practical, hard-to-fi nd information about maintenance for trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs.