Recommended Reading, and Viewing, for Garden Lovers

"Coleus: Rainbow Foliage for Containers and Gardens," a 227-page hardcover written by Ray Rogers and photographed by Richard Hartlage, traces the history of a single plant since its formal discovery in Java and introduction to Britain in 1853 by botanist and plant explorer Karl Blume. Coleus were popular houseplants from the Victorian era into the 1950s, then started to be used as a shade-tolerant bedding plant outdoors. The botanical name of coleus was changed taxonomically about two years ago to Solenostemon scutellarioides, but the common name of this member of the mint family remains coleus. Coleus are available in trailing varieties, standards, and many leaf textures and colors. The book includes 385 brilliant color photographs. (Timber Press, $29.95)

" The Big Book of Garden Designs," a 192-page softcover by Marianne Lipanovich and Tom Wilhite, includes more than 100 well-drawn landscape plans. The basic design concepts in this book are excellent stimuli for landscape design ideas, including water features, paths, perennial and shrub borders, garden rooms, grasses, and sitting areas. However, before installing any of the recommended plants, investigate their performance in this region. (Sunset Books, $19.95)

"Audubon Video Guide to 258 Birds of North America DVD II: Song and Garden Birds" will bring songbirds and their habits, appearance, color and sounds into your living room. The DVD includes a database you can search and use as a video encyclopedia. (Mastervision, $39.95)

"Audubon Butterfly DVD: Essentials for Beginners and Gardeners" is an engrossing story about the life cycles of butterflies. It's an action movie of what makes butterflies so magical, and it offers ways you can make them a part of your garden. The narrator describes plants that are attractive to butterflies and discusses host plants and nectar plants necessary for their survival. The butterflies' variety of colors and patterns is breathtaking. This two-hour, 30-minute DVD is an excellent learning tool for children and adults. (Mastervision, $39.95)

Joel M. Lerner is president of Environmental Design in Capitol View Park, Md. E-mail or contact him through his Web site,http://www.gardenlerner.com.