422 pp. Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly: A much-respected name in gardening, Burpee offers this phone book-sized tome for the one-stop reference shelf. Competitively priced (at half the cost of most other encyclopedic overviews), the book is especially appropriate for beginners. Readers are guided with 450 photos and illustrations (not seen by PW) and a user-friendly format that forges confidently through the ins and outs of such basics as plant hardiness zones and soil preparation to garden design and pest control. Nearly two-thirds of the book is devoted to "plant portraits," brief but thorough profiles of hundreds of plants, in such groupings as ``Perennials,'' ``Bulbs'' and ``Herbs,'' that include information on characteristics and culture as well as such often overlooked finer points as staking and the best time to divide. Although experienced gardeners won't find new ground turned here, the lively presentation and accessible, authoritative air (including a section, ``Gardener's Most-Asked Questions'') should endear this reference to those newly acquainted with trowel and hoe. Literary Guild, Doubleday and Rodale book club selections. (Nov.) George Cohen: Comprehensive--that's certainly true! Here you will find information on 420 annuals, biennials, perennials, bulbs, roses, vegetables, herbs, ground covers, and vines. There's a description of each plant, along with growing instructions and its uses. Other chapters cover designing, starting, planting, and caring for a garden; tools and equipment; and pests and diseases. And particularly handy is the chapter on gardeners' most-asked questions. This lavish guide includes 380 full-color photographs, vintage color illustrations from Burpee catalogues and seed packets, and black-and-white how-to line drawings. Keywords: ALLAN ARMITAGE MAUREEN HEFFERNAN CHELA KLEIBER HOLLY SHIMIZU BARBARA ELLIS BURPEE COMPLETE GARDENER GARDENING HOUSE HOME HORTICULTURE
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