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

Illustrations by Asha Kays and Chris Johnson

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.

Media reviews of this book:

"A complete book about temporal plants that grow in this region. There are more than 100 photos, but the information is the primary reason to get this tome."

—Joel M. Lerner, Washington Post, May 3, 2003

"True to form, Armitage's humor accompanies his sage advice throughout the text. I predict that this book will become holy writ on the subject of annuals. And I confess that when it comes to a book written by Allan Armitage, I buy it unhesitatingly for the authority associated with the name and then find out all about the subject within. "

—Russell Studebaker, Horticulture, November 2002

"I have yet to see the perfect guide to annuals and tender perennials, but this new compendium by esteemed plantman Allan M. Armitage comes close...[Gardeners] will need no other reference on the subject."

—Steve Silk, Fine Gardening, May/June 2002

"I've been waiting for this book for years. I found the opinionated writing delightful and the coverage of what is available in this category in the marketplace excellent ... A necessary and useful book that will be an indispensable reference for many gardeners."

—American Gardener, May/June 2002

"If you have any serious interest in growing flowers, you need this book."

—John Van de Water, Newark Star-Ledger, December 23, 2001

Customer reviews of this book:

"Excellent! Covers all the latest cultivars and gives precise descriptions of growth habit and color. A designer's bible!"

—Carol S. from Bolingbrook, Illinois, May 2, 2007

"I enjoy the author's commentary and personal input. Very informative!"

—Michelle W. from Walters, Minnesota, February 9, 2007

"Fabulous book! It's a 10-star publication!"

—Kathy W. from Beaufort, South Carolina, July 17, 2006

"Well written, and I loved the illustrations."

—Andrew F. from Kensington, Connecticut, September 19, 2005

"Armitage is a professional award-winner worthy of use as an authoritative reference in the field."

—Nathan V. from Kansas City, Missouri, June 15, 2004

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An excerpt from this book:

An annual may be defined botanically as a plant that completes its entire life cycle within the space of a year: it grows, flowers, produces seed, and then dies, regardless of temperature or other environmental conditions. Gardeners, however, do not use that definition in defining annuals and perennials. From a gardening standpoint, an annual is usually defined as a plant that dies because it is unable to survive extremes of cold or heat, that, the winter is too cold or the summer is too hot — and that is what I mean when I use the word "annual" in this book. When a typical garden annual, such as geranium or a petunia, is grown in a greenhouse, it will flower and produce seed many times over, surviving for years ...

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