Guest Author - Diana Pederson

Pam Duthie. Continuous Bloom: A Month-by-Month Guide to Nonstop Color in the Perennial Garden. Ball Publishing. 2000

Once in a rare while I come across a book that I wish I’d owned from the beginning of my gardening hobby. Continuous Bloom earned the Benjamin Franklin Award from the Publisher’s Marketing Association for a good reason – it is astounding.

This book organizes perennials according to their month of bloom beginning in March and ending in November. Do you need your garden to be in full bloom for a particular reason? Locate the section dealing with that time period and you’ll find full color illustrations of plants that bloom then along with information on the flower, foliage, bloom length, size, light requirements, care requirements, possible uses, propagation, problems, and tips. The author also suggests other plants to grow with it.

Recommendation

I find it difficult not to be overly enthusiastic with my praise for this book. If you buy no other book on perennials, do buy this one! I cringe when I think of the countless hours I have spent trying to research which plants would be in bloom for the county fair or for the garden contest.

Is a family member planning an outdoor wedding in your yard? Buy this book! Do you want continuous color? Buy this book!

Frankly, I am surprised no one had put such a book together earlier. I am truly grateful to Ball Publishing for publishing such a reference book.

You may buy it at amazon.com.