Gardeners everywhere want to grow perennials. But with its hot, humid summers and often bitterly cold winters, the Midwest presents a formidably challenging climate. This book provides concise, experience-tested information about popular perennials (including herbs, ornamental grasses, and bulbs) that can be grown successfully throughout a wide range of the midwestern United States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. In all, more than 400 plants are profiled, grouped into 140 main entries arranged alphabetically by botanical name. Each entry summarizes the plant's hardiness zones, origin, mature height and spread, landscape uses, season of bloom, and key ornamental characteristics. Tony Kahtz's plant selections are based on his many years of professional and personal experience, and represent perennials that are noteworthy both for their ornamental features and for the ease with which they can be grown. This trustworthy guide will be an indispensable aid to gardeners in America's heartland who seek to make their time in the garden easier and more fun.