Sometimes you can have it all. No plant is perfect in every situation, but bestselling garden author Tracy DiSabato-Aust has identified 50 showstoppers--perennials, shrubs and trees-that come close. Each is a dynamic, beautiful choice for almost any garden, and each is nearly foolproof when it comes to care. As a garden designer, Tracy has spent years studying how to create beautiful outdoor spaces that require minimal maintenance. The plants in these pages are her personal favourites, but she didn't pick them for sentimental reasons. Each had to pass a minimum test for toughness, beauty and durability, exhibiting nearly all of the following: * Multi-Season Interest * Striking Foliage * Outstanding Texture* Long-Lived * Tolerant of Heat and Humidity * Cold-Hardy * Insect and Disease Resistant * Infrequent Pruning or Deadheading * Low Fertilization * No Staking * Non-Invasive * Drought-Tolerant With her combination of wit and common sense, DiSabato-Aust includes her own gardening experiences and introduces companion plants that will complement each of her selections.