1: Annuals, tender perennials, and tropicals are all there
The Taylor's Guides are known for their great pictures and good cultural information. This book lists annuals as "cool weather, "warm weather" and "tender perennial." I have often told customers that tender perennial means it is perennial somewhere, but certainly not here. That may not be the case for everyone reading this book. You have to look in the encyclopedia area to see what zone the plant is hardy in. Some tender perennials may be perennial in your climate or only some winters in your climate. The problem with any book on annuals that includes tender perennials and tropicals is availability. For other categories in the Taylor's Guide, like perennials, shrubs, etc. most of the plants are available from good nurseries. Annuals is a different story. The best sellers are available. Some of the tropicals are available depending on where you go. The rare or unpopular annuals to only be grown from seed are available from seed vendors and garden centers who sell a variety of seeds. For the tropical combination plants, which are the most interesting listed, you have to go to the better nurseries or mail order sources. What I am getting at here is how to use this book. Don't have your heart set on a picture in this book. The plant may be only available by seed, and perhaps that does not suit your lifestyle. Regarding the ideas decide if you want to grow from seed or not. With the tender perennials, after you have read about them, decide what you want to try. This is a great book on annuals. Anyone interested in plnats should buy it. When combining with tropicals and plants from seed, use your common sense.
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