Dwarf and median bearded irises are the little floral jewels of the gardening world, extending the iris season by six to eight weeks with great panache. Relatively new on the horticultural scene, these small and miniature replicas of larger bearded irises have nevertheless taken it by storm, because their 4-to-27-inch height makes them the perfect size for most American gardens. Dr. Kevin Vaughn, who has hybridized these irises over a 50-year period in diverse climates, describes all five dwarf and median bearded-iris classes. He offers suggestions both for historical and modern cultivars, describes best cultivation practices, and details hybridizing methods. Lavishly illustrated with nearly 200 color photos of outstanding specimens, this comprehensive book is both for beginners who want to try some of the hottest perennials on the market, and for seasoned iris growers who want to learn more about their favorite plant.

David Austin Roses is one of the world's leading rose nurseries. The English Roses developed there have brought the rose to a new level of beauty and strength; their ability to flower continually throughout the summer and autumn makes them one of the most durable garden flowers. In this revised and updated edition, David Austin describes how he combines the beauty and fragrance of the Old Roses with the repeat-flowering and wide colour range of the Modern Roses. David presents seven groups of classification for his roses and advises how to grow and maintain them. Featuring more than 20 new rose varieties, all with detailed descriptions and updated photography throughout, this third revised edition of The English Roses is an essential reference for all rose lovers and gardeners.

Why do gardeners start plants from seed instead of just buying a flat of seedlings from their local nursery? Necessity. Seedlings of unusual or exotic plants simply aren't available at garden stores, but they are available in seed. Then there's the cost factor. A few packets of seeds are much cheaper than dozens upon dozens of seedlings. And finally there's the plants' health to consider. Plants grown from seed get a healthy start that can almost guarantee you a magnificent display in your garden. The Gardener's A-Z Guide to Growing Flowers from Seed to Bloom will teach you everything you need to know to germinate and grow more than 500 types of flowering plants. For every plant listed you'll find precise information on whether it will do well in your part of the country; how to sow seeds indoors and outdoors; when to transplant indoor seedlings out in the garden; what light, soil, and spacing requirements are necessary; general plant care; when you can expect the plants to flower; how to encourage more blooms; and how to propagate your plants by cutting, division, layering, or detaching runners.
The book also features more than 500 full-color flower photographs. A quick-reference chart outlines bloom time, color, height, and site requirements for more than 1,000 species, making this book an indispensable reference for planning and planting fabulous gardens.

Bees play a vital and irreplaceable role in pollinating our flowers, fruits and vegetables. The more bees in your garden the healthier, more productive and more pleasant a place it will be. Yet bees are declining rapidly and many people, even if they do not wish to keep bees themselves, are asking what can be done on an individual basis to help the bee. This book is a response to that request. It will demonstrate in one accessible volume how each of us can play our part in providing a bee-friendly environment, no matter how much gardening space and/or time we may have. It includes: * How bees forage, what bees you can expect to find in your garden and what plants are best for them. * Why honey bees are so important; what they need to thrive and how they detect and access those requirements; and what varieties of plants are best suited to provide those needs. * How the gardener can offer and maintain a bee-friendly garden, followed by a season-by-season account of what beefriendly plants are in flower and when, and what jobs the gardener can be doing during these times to help bees thrive. * A gazetteer of selected bee-friendly plants, arranged by type of plant in seasonal sub-sections. * Illustrative, practical planting plans, including a culinary herb garden, a potager, a wild flower garden, and a 3 seasons traditional border.