All About Perennials

Ortho's All About Gardening

by A. Cort Sinnes, Larry Hodgson

This book tells how to grow healthy, vigorous perennials that bloom dependably year after year. There are tips on designing perennial borders, coordinating colors and flower seasons, and choosing the best perennials. The encyclopedia contains complete information on the choicest perennials.

Genres: Gardening, Reference, Plants, Nonfiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

My family moved to Napa, California in 1952, when I was five months old. We moved to a house about five blocks from where I now live. Except for a few years in the Midwest, the Napa Valley has been home for my entire life. Growing up here in the 60's could only be described as idyllic – the freedom experienced by Matt (the protaganist in Silverado Summer) is based on my own experience, especially after I bought my first 10-speed bicycle! During the summer, my best friend and I could get on our bikes, leave our houses at dawn, and not return until sundown, without any of our parents batting an eye. We rarely had a specific destination in mind, eager instead to simply explore the valley from one end to the other – from the derelict stone ruins of Napa Soda Springs, to ghost wineries almost no one knew about, to the leafy shade of "broken dam" high in the western hills and, yes, to the summit of Mt. St. Helena – one by one, we uncovered many of the secret places this valley holds.

I attended local schools, went to the University of California at Berkeley, and went to work for the legendary editor of Sunset Magazine, Walter Doty, right out of college. Along with a handful of others, Walter and I started the immensley successful Ortho Book Series out of Walter's garage in Los Altos. He was 85 years old (not to mention legally blind and deaf) and I was 22. I went on to write some 36 books on gardening and outdoor living and six cookbooks, including The Grilling Encyclopedia, which was nominated for a James Beard Award. Along the way I have been editor-in-chief of three national magazines, authored and illustrated a nationally syndicated newspaper column, In Your Own Backyard, featured in more than 300 newspapers, and hosted a popular video gardening series called Hooked on Gardening.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive look at gardening perennials! I wish there had been more information on container gardens and best practices for potting perennials, but o recognize the primary goal of this text was providing info on in-ground gardening. Overall very concise and informative!

[Geri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love flowers but sometimes
you might just need some help with
how to plant and keep getting the best
out of your plants. This book fills the
bill for me.

[Joe Noto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book with everything you need to know to be an almost expert on perennials. Just enough detail without overkill. Excellent resource guide to over 100 perennials included. 4.5 out of 5.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Description of plants with pictures, a bloom chart and listings of plants by color, growth and different areas of the yard (shade/sun, dry soil/moist soil) etc. make this a great reference.

[David Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

All About Perennials (Ortho's All About Gardening) by A. Cort Sinnes (Ortho Books 1981) (635.932). I've revered Ortho books for years, and perennials are my favorite plants. This was a great book for a gardening beginner. I practically memorized this book, and my garden beds are the better for it. My rating: 7/10, finished 1982.