This detailed reference work provides gardeners with over 4000 photographs of individual plants, and diagrams showing each plant's shape and height at maturity. The author provides additional information about various species' cultivation, propagation, pruning and use in the garden. The book begins with a simple guide to garden planning, style and the use of colour, with extensive lists of plants for particular sites in the garden. The main illustrated section of the book is broken down into chapters which deal with particular categories of garden plant: trees, shrubs and perennials. Within each chapter the plants are grouped together according to season of interest and subdivided into large, medium and small plants. Lists of other recommended plants refer readers to a section in which each genus is described. The volume concludes with an index of over 2500 common names which will enable the reader to find any plant, and a glossary which explains gardening techniques.