Essentially a photo gallery of 272 perennials that Duthie uses at her northern Illinois-based landscape design and consulting firm. Arranged by bloom time, each one-page entry includes a 3.5x5 photo and a short list of attributes including plant type (e.g., herb, native, bulb, fern); USDA zone; flower and foliage; bloom length; height and spacing; light and soil needs; special care requirements; uses; propagation methods and timing; and pest and disease problems. Duthie also includes insider tips, suggestions for unique combinations of perennials, and several appendices with additional advice on maintenance and selection. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)