We start with a photograph of Alan Titchmarsh ("The Nation's Favourite Gardener"), hoe in hand, straddling his plot of earth like a colossus. Here he is again, loitering in a yew bower, toying with his secateurs. The introduction kicks off with one of Oscar Wilde's surprisingly many witticisms about spades. The New Super Gardener is not backward about coming forward. Rightly so, as it turns out. Titchmarsh is as skilled and enthusiastic a communicator as he is a gardener and plants man: The New Super Gardener constitutes a foundation course in traditional, plant-centred gardening. No architectural fantasies here, no drifts of crushed glass, no bagels, just good solid information about how to get the best out of your garden.

Planning and preparation are of the essence in gardening, and it is here that Alan Titchmarsh begins, with a handful of simple rules of thumb that will ensure a pleasing and permanent structure. The real strength of the book, though, lies in its copious lists of plants by type, with invaluable notes on planting, propagation, preferred aspect and soil types. Trees and shrubs; border and bedding plants; bulbs; water and rock gardens; patio planting; fruit and vegetables; all the way to greenhouses and house plants--they're all here, with recommendations of the best varieties. The New Super Gardener was first published in 1983 and has been updated repeatedly since to take account of new plants and changes in taste, proving its worth and popularity over the years. A reliable and invaluable companion for any domestic gardener. --Robin Davidson