Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Companion planting is the age-old practice of planting different plants in close proximity so that they can help one another in some way. These plants complement each other by giving off scent or chemicals that repel insects, or they may attract beneficial insects that are predators to harmful insects. Some plants return micro-nutrients to the soil that can be used by other plants. The author has practised companion planting for many decades and in this title she shares her vast knowledge of the topic, gleaned from years of practical experience. She describes more than 100 herbs, food plants and medicinal plants and their companions, with information on how, when and where to plant, harvest and use them. Interspersed with the text are recipes for natural fertilisers and insect sprays and snippets of advice on how to use plants medicinally and in the home. In an age where global warming and climate change are no longer distant warnings, this title urges a return to gardening practices that will help heal our broken planet.

Ten perennials appear here, each a specific cultivar carefully selected for its innate and enduring beauty. The photographs show every critical stage of their development, creating an album which should inspire planting that is as attractive in Winter as Spring. Each plant is described in detail, explaining not just how it develops and the conditions in which it develops, but also its cultural, historic and folkloric associations.