DISCOVERING ANNUALS

British author and gardening specialist Graham Rice sings the praises of annuals with the refrain, "color, color, color." Vibrant photographs demonstrate some creative and thoughtful combinations of unusual annuals and old favorites. Rice includes planting instructions and other practical information. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

For anyone who has hesitated over investing time in the growth and care of these plants, Graham Rice's Discovering Annuals is a revelation. Stunning photography conveys countless variations of color, height, foliage, and combinations, for pots and cut flowers, as well as in borders. Meanwhile, his accompanying text is absorbingly anecdotal: the entry for the cleome, for instance, commences with the engaging question, "What on earth are they?"

Beautiful and readable though it is, this book is also aiming to equip readers to make their own decisions about planting annuals. To that end, Graham goes systematically through the alphabet, pointing out particular opportunities to experiment as well as warning of possible pitfalls. The most satisfying course, he suggests, is to ignore fashion and concentrate instead on trying to discover your own personal taste in an ongoing process, whatever your level of expertise.

To give this development some practical grounding, a cogent advice section, glossary, contact details for suppliers, further reading, and index are accompanied by a specially designated Web site. This last not only contains additional information, but also the promise that supply details given in the book will be updated--a final, convincing example of Graham's genuine desire to enhance the reader's gardening experience. --Fiona Murphy