Annuals for Michigan (Annuals for . . .)
by Alison Beck, Nancy Szerlag
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Book Summary Information
Author: Alison Beck, Nancy SzerlagEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-03-01
ISBN: 1551053462
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Lone Pine Publishing
Book Reviews of Annuals for Michigan (Annuals for . . .)
Book Review: Tangling with a feisty morning glory
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't believe I've ever seen a gardening book where the information was as well-organized as it is in "Annuals for Michigan" and its companion volume, "Perennials for Michigan." Often books of regional interest are thrown together and published on the cheap, but these books are tightly-bound, full of color illustrations, and above all, well written. And they're really about Michigan climate and Michigan soils. Someone didn't just go through and change, say 'Iowa' to 'Michigan' with a word processor, then rename the book.
According to the authors, Michigan ranks third nationwide in the production of annual plants, so we must have a pretty decent climate for growing them. I've only had a couple escape from their beds and attempt to take over the yard--the morning glory 'Grandpa Ott' and every kind of mallow I've ever tried--so don't be afraid to experiment. Our winters usually exterminate the overly bold.
The book begins with a pictorial guide called "The Flowers at a Glance" where photographs of the annuals are listed in alphabetical order, by common name. There is a short introduction on trends in annuals and a map of the average last-frost dates for Michigan, so that you will know when to plant out depending on where you live.
The next few sections explain how to start annuals, both by growing them from seed or by schlepping over to the nearest gardening center and buying them. There are chapters on caring for annuals, and the obligatory chapter on 'Problems & Pests' before we plunge into the heart of this book: the alphabetically-arranged sections on each of the 443 selected annuals.
Each species is described, including height, spread, and flower color. Each has subsections on 'Planting' (how and when to start your plants), 'Growing,' 'Tips,' 'Recommended' varieties, and (usually) 'Problems and Pests.' There are over 400 color photographs, usually (but not always) labeled by variety, to help with your decisions on what to plant. There is also a very nice 'Quick Reference Chart' in back that lists the colors, sowing method, height, hardiness, light and soil requirements for each species.
There is even a short list of companies and their websites where you can purchase seed, although a couple of my favorites aren't mentioned, i.e. Thompson and Morgan, and Park Seed.
Annuals are so much fun. If you hate the color combinations you tried one year, you can start all over again the following spring. Sometimes if you're lucky, a favorite annual like Love-in-a-Mist will reseed itself and return even more beautifully the following season. Of course, that could also happen with pests like Grandpa Ott--we finally had to concede defeat after five years of weeding purple morning glories out of the vegetable beds. We sold our house to someone who hopefully loves this old vine.
Summary of Annuals for Michigan (Annuals for . . .)
Brilliant photographs and down-to-earth advice are packed into this guide to over 443 annuals suited to the climate of this Great Lake state. Szerlag and Beck provide information on light, water and nutrient needs, as well as recommendations on how and when to start your plants. This book also includes tips on planting, growing, recommended varieties, and problems and pests.Gardening & Horticulture Books
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