The Garden Book (430 pp) was written for the educated amateur gardener but it is also useful for the professional. It sets the tone for good gardening practices throughout the South. It is truly comprehensive, showcasing over 5,000 plants that meet the needs of Southern gardeners. Superb photos and detailed text are only the beginning - Climate Maps and Plant Selection Guides make it abundantly useful. Consider the holistic approach of the contents-like chapters in a Planting Bible:

The Spirit of Southern Gardening- even Rhett and Scarlett could agree on this. History, climate, and plants make Southern gardens unique. Glorious photos prove it.

Practical Gardening Dictionary - a glossary of terms, techniques and plant care. From Aphids to Weedkillers, this will answer your questions about seasonal maintenance.

Resource Directory and Indexes- lists of major botanical gardens, arboretums (we love the one in Piedmont Park, midtown Atlanta) and estate gardens of the South (no Tara-sorry) plus mail-order garden suppliers are here, as is the usual cross-reference of scientific /common names. This is a short course gardening education in itself.