Drought, floods, hail, winds, and extreme heat and cold are just a few of the challenges that unpredictable weather can present as you’re trying to grow healthy plants. Charles W. G. Smith helps you tackle unforeseen weather changes using his ingenious defensive approach to gardening. With profiles of 100 hardy plants and expert information on dealing with problems as they arise, Smith shows you exactly how to plan and maintain a gorgeous, durable garden that will stand up to whatever nature throws at it.  Smith gives instructions for creating a weather-resilient garden, protecting it from drought and heat, cold, ice, snow, hail, lightning, salt, wind, fire, floods, and humidity. He describes the damage, explains short-term and long-term solutions to resuscitate plants, and suggests hundreds of plants that can withstand adverse conditions. He also lists the top 100 weather-resilient annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, vines, ground covers, and ornamental grasses with a photograph of each, and recommends which species to buy. There are data on the best types of soil and compost, the use of water, and hardiness zones. George Cohen Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved “His advice is worth heeding for any gardener who wants his or her time and effort to pay off every year, regardless of the weather.” -Milwaukee Journal Sentinel “In addition to sound gardening advice, the book is chock-full of fascinating and useful information.” -Detroit News and Free Press “Blend an encyclopedia of 100 hardy plants with expert advice on how to organize a garden for inclement weather and you have a solid key to a lasting, beautiful garden. -The Midwest Book Review “From evaluating the landscape for problem areas to selecting plants that are as resilient as they are beautiful, Smith shows readers how to plant a gorgeous garden that is tough enough to withstand anything nature might deliver.” -Michigan Gardener The topic for this book seemed to be a natural extension of gardening in an unpredictable, sometimes unforgiving world. But it wasn't. The phrases 'tough as nails' or 'will live longer than you will' just aren't common garden terms. Gardeners often prefer to grow the latest colors, forms or imports than investigate the extent of adaptability and real hardiness (which is hardy under all the conditions your garden is subject to). I love to view the gardens of those horticulturists that have the time, health, and funds to create seasonal masterpieces. But I don't have those resources. I need plants that will work with me, that feel at home enough in my gardens to grow well even with a little unintended neglect, the deluge thunderstorm or ice by the inch.      Super Storm Sandy (Oct 2012) made it very clear what this book is all about. No garden is ironclad invincible, but finding some of your garden plants still alive and ready to grow when so much else has been destroyed is like unearthing precious photos from  the disaster. I've written a good number of gardening books, but this one is special. It isn't glitzy; it's solid and real. Read the reviews, check it out up down and sideways. It is a unique book for everyone's bookshelf. Charles W.G. Smith When you're tucking seedlings into the soil, thoughts of weather events, such as floods and droughts, hail and ice, damaging winds, and even fire are often far from your mind. But naturalist Charles W.G. Smith thinks that it pays off to make them part of your plan. In The Weather-Resilient Garden, Smith shows you how to plant a garden that is beautiful but tough enough to withstand almost anything nature delivers. His encyclopedia of 100 hard plants helps you garden defensively. And he includes detailed advice on what to do when a weather disaster strikes your garden. There's no stopping the forces of nature. But you can minimize their impact on your little piece of Eden.   A former horticulturalist for White Flower Farm, Charles W.G. Smith has also been an instructor of vocational agriculture. He has written about gardening and environmental issues for more than a decade. He is the author of The Beginner's Guide to Edible Herbs, The Weather-Resilient Garden, and Raptor ! Used Book in Good Condition