This encyclopedia provides information on more than 7000 species and cultivars in 184 genera, from Acanthus to Woodwardia—some new to horticulture, others unjustly overlooked, but all beautifully suited to the shade garden.

Schmid has half a century of gardening experience behind him; readers are therefore treated to both practical growing tips and his personal associations with the plants. The text is rounded out with 500 color photographs, many taken by the author himself.