The Design Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together - Softcover

The second section discusses design tools such as the use of bulbs and herbs to prolong and vary color and texture in the garden, encouragement of butterfly visitors with appropriate planting, the use of stone to make new gardens look old, the use of containers and the use and placement of ornament.

The third sections focuses on plant material: new cultivars of well-known genera; ornnamental grasses; perennials to use for long bloom, low maintenance; as hedges and as edgers; foliage; and see-through plants. The notion of maintenance is also discussed.

Section four emphasizes site conditions and which plants will work well in the sunny wet garden, the sunny dry garden and the shady garden. The fall garden, frequently neglected, is highlighted with discussions of flowers, seedheads and foliage while the winter garden hones in on the "bones" of the garden, plant material and lighting.