My words may comprise the heart of this book, but its soul was created by people with remarkable creative vision. From the beginning, my gifted editor, Gwen Steege, generously shared her knowledge of houseplants — and even lent me her favorite books — to make sure readers missed no chance to learn more about their green companions. Working with little more than lists and dull manuscript pages, photographer Rosemary Kautzky joined the team. Day after day, undeterred by attacks from prickles and spines, she lugged plants into her home, rearranging furniture and draperies and hoping for fair weather so she could show you the plants as they appear in natural daylight, in a real home. Finally, creative director Kent Lew and art director Cynthia McFarland focused their expert eyes on the pages and gently worked the elements until they achieved a perfect balance. Sincere thanks are also due to Judy Becker and George Wulster for their help with bulbs, and to Lisa Broberg Quintana for her guidance with orchids. To these and the many other people who provided the small puffs of air that helped breathe life into this book, I am deeply grateful.