The layout is very attractive, making it a pleasure to use. Questions are easily answered, eg: How large will the plants grow? What conditions do they need for them to flourish? What sort of compost is suitable? How much water is required? etc etc, which leads to informed choices cutting out any guess work, thereby saving time, effort and money.

Sue Fisher began writing in 1990 after following a gardening career in the nursery and garden centre industry. She has contributed many articles for well-known magazines and has written several books. She has also appeared on a number of TV programmes and is a radio phone-in regular.

The introductory section of this book advises on different ways of planting and grouping containers, how to plant hanging baskets, how to take cuttings, etc. It is followed by a comprehensive A to Z of patio plants, containing beautiful photographs of all the 500 species. Symbols are used for easy and quick reference. Exciting, inspiring, brilliant, magnificent, outstanding--just some of the superlatives to describe this book. A reference book which every patio owner should possess.

Other titles in this series include The Gardening Which? Guide to Successful Shrubs, The Gardening Which? Guide to Successful Pruning, The Gardening Which? Guide to Successful Propagation The Gardening Which? Guide to Successful Perennials, and The Gardening Which? Guide to Small Gardens. --Susan Naylor

Synopsis
This is a guide to the selction of plants for the patio, hanging baskets and other containers. The book contains an A-Z section on patio plants, covering annuals, alpines, bulbs, climbers, conifers, ferns, grasses, herbs, perennials, roses and shrubs. The special "icons" show at a glance appropriate types of containers, hardiness, shape and size, watering, position and winter care. An introductory section offers advice on choosing and grouping containers, composts and fertilizers, how to prepare and plant container and hanging baskets, watering, overwintering and garden security.