From the range of plants available to the gardener, Patrick Taylor selects and describes plants that are the very best of their kind. The book is divided into five main sections - trees, shrubs, climbers, herbaceous perennials, and bulbs. This allows similar plants to be described together and planting solutions to be given for specific gardening problems. Natural species and forms are emphasized and only cultivars that have proved their worth are included. For each plant, there is advice on its best use in the garden and ideas for association plantings, as well as details of cultivation, hardiness, propagation and its origins.