This edition of Sunset’s Western Garden Book, published in 1976, was the best gardening guide for a gardening greenhorn.

When I first started gardening, I needed a lot of help. I had always thought gardening was a relaxing pastime that rewarded one with beautiful flower beds, baskets of fresh vegetables and a luxurious lawn.

I had no idea how much work it would take.

One of my indispensable resources was Sunset’s Western Garden Book. Because it was written for those of us who garden in the West, it helped me understand that gardening was definitely regional and that understanding “climate zones” was critical to gardening success.

This book also helped me understand how plants grow. This may sound elementary, but understanding roots, stems, leaves, and fruits and flowers was also a good reminder that nothing should be taken for granted in the garden.

Gardeners looking for hardy plants to add to their gardens should check this out.

I was at the Plant Select annual meeting a few years ago when the seed was planted for a new garden book. That seed germinated and now it has bloomed.

“Durable Plants for the Garden: A Plant Select Guide” is a beautiful new resource for gardeners looking to add the hardiest plants to their gardens. It’s an essential addition to every gardener’s library.

The book, edited by James E. Henrich, is a cooperative effort of Plant Select, Colorado State University, Denver Botanic Gardens and the Green Industries of Colorado.

The book includes the first 74 plants introduced to the public by the Plant Select Program. The program’s goal is to introduce and then recommend more adaptable plants to the Rocky Mountain region and beyond and every year 6 or 7 plants are chosen. Some of the plants are overlooked treasures and other are completely new to the trade.