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This book is one of a series known as the Hillier Gardener's Guides. Covering a reasonably limited subject, as it does, I expected an in-depth examination herbaceous perennials in the garden over its 192 pages and I was not disappointed. Well organised, authoritative and attractive, it is a super reference on garden-worthy herbaceous pernennialsWell organised, authoritative and attractive, it is a super reference on garden-worthy herbaceous pernennials.

This is a book about the plants: what is available, where they can be used and what combinations work. There is not so much in here about the technical aspects of dealing with them (e.g. propagation), but that is well covered in other books. Few other books will give you as many ideas about which herbaceous perennials will work for you in your own gardenFew other books will give you as many ideas about which herbaceous perennials will work for you in your own garden. Throughout the text, those plants which have been bestowed the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit are marked with a symbol. This award is only given to plants which are easy to grow and of 'sound constitution'. Recipients of the award must also have more than one point of interest. In short, plants that have this award are reasonably good bets for your garden, so it is valuable to be able to see instantly whether or not a plant has it.

The book is split into four main sections: 'Introducing Herbaceous Perennials'; 'Situation'; 'Foliage Effects' and 'Seasons'. The introductory section includes a short but interesting history on the use of herbaceous perennials in the garden telling, for example, how they only really came to the fore in Victorian times when championed by William Robinson and (famously) Gertrude JekyllThe introductory section includes a short but interesting history on the use of herbaceous perennials in the garden telling, for example, how they only really came to the fore in Victorian times when championed by William Robinson and (famously) Gertrude Jekyll. There is even a short introduction to botanical latin in this section. The three remaining sections each come at the same subject from a different angle and the reader can choose the appropriate one in order to answer the questions they have about their own gardens. So, for example, if you have an island border, half in shade and half in sun, and would like some ideas about what will work there, you turn to the section on situation. If you have a question about using foliage to maximum effect then you go first to the corresponding section. If you are looking for ideas about extending the season of interest in your garden, then you need only go to the section on seasons.

Throughout the book there are special profiles of particularly interesting plants. These are separated from the rest of the text and used highlight plants of particular merit or interest. Another feature which I found particularly appealing were boxed sections pairing plants that were 'good companions': a really useful source of ideas on plants which work well togetherAnother feature which I found particularly appealing were boxed sections pairing plants that were 'good companions': a really useful source of ideas on plants which work well together. For example I have a wonderful goatsbeard (Aruncus dioica) in my garden and a suggested companion for that is arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica): 'Try setting the light, wiry form of goatsbeard against the bold foliage and white flowers of the arum lily'.

All in all this is a valuable addition to the literature on herbaceous perennials for the garden. Given the cost of some perennials, money spent on this book before you splash out on the plants themselves would seem to me to be money wisely spent.