All gardens have a tricky spot be it deep shade under a tree, barren soil along a hedge, dry, sun-baked soil or a damp corner. Sharon Amos displays her gardening knowledge with solutions for all these difficult sites. And not necessarily boring ones - ornamental rhubarbs for damp patches, hydrangea petiolaris to brighten a dark corner with its sparkly white flowers, spiky yuccas and Californian poppies will brighten up an arid patch while periwinkles and tolmeias will put up a fight with a greedy hedge to thrive in its shadow. Tantalising photographs by Steven Wooster whet the appetite and inspire the mind, turning what was once thought of as a problem area into one that can be transformed by the right plant. And with the addition of basic gardening techniques this is an ideal book for a novice gardener unsure of what to plant where. - Lucy Watson

Sharon Amos is a freelance journalist and author. She has written extensively on rural issues, gardens, and crafts. Her previous books include Pulbrook & Gould Flowers, Country Living: Garden Wisdom and Plants for Free.

Assessing your garden; improving what you have; matching plants to your garden; caring for plants in tough situations; plant directory.