Just as people are increasingly thinking about where their food comes from - and looking for greater control over their food sources - they are also seeking to take greater control of their health care. With health care costs soaring and the frightening list of side effects from pharmaceutical drugs continuing to build, many are looking to herbal medicine for a gentler, less expensive approach to treating everyday ailments. This title covers 33 common plants that can be grown nearly anywhere and used in a variety of ways, including familiar plants such as garlic, echinacea, burdock, nettles, and chamomile. It includes step-by-step instructions for drying and preserving herbs and for making the most common herbal preparations, including salves, syrups, tinctures, pills, and capsules. It features 20 basic recipes, including some "food as medicine" recipes for healing pestos, vinegars, and soups.

From 'Bing' cherries, names after one of the Chinese workers in the 1870s Oregon cherry farm owned by Henderson Lewelling, to maraschino cherries which originated in Yugoslavia when a liqueur was added to the local cherry 'Marasca', cherries are a herald of summer. They originated in the Caucasus Mountains, and were mentioned in 74 BC by Pliny the Elder, and then spread from Rome to Britain. We have much to learn about cherries and mulberries, and we need to discover how versatile they are. Now, the country that produces the most cherries is Turkey, but they are easy to grow in your own garden, attract the local wildlife and birds, and are beautiful.

Squashes and pumpkins come in many shapes, sizes and colours. This guide also covers other members of the gourd family, from marrows to courgettes and cucumbers. It lays out the different varieties and shows them in glorious full colour. Practical information is given on how to grow each type, as well as harvesting and cooking uses, making this a handy addition to any kitchen gardener's library.

Keeping your beautiful garden safe from deer is as simple as choosing the right plants. In "50 Beautiful Deer-Resistant Plants," gardening expert Ruth Rogers Clausen introduces the most versatile and drool-worthy options: white snowdrops that bloom in the spring; shade-loving, electric gold hakone grass; long-blooming Texas sage in vibrant reds, peaches, and pinks; and the feathery foliage of Arkansas blue stars that glows golden in the autumn.

Illustrated throughout with full-color photographs of every plant, this inspiring guide offers everything a plant-lover with a deer problem needs to know. In addition to the 50 best annuals, perennials, bulbs, ferns, grasses, and shrubs -- plus advice on how to grow them -- Clausen includes dozens of deer-resistant companions and smart design tips for pulling it all together. And here's the best part: your gorgeous garden will be irresistible to everyone "but" those pesky deer.

What if the beautiful plants in your home could also become a part of your health routine? Many houseplants are easy to grow indoors and can reduce stress, increase productivity, speed up healing, treat depression, increase overall happiness, and filter our air from carcinogenic pollutants. Make the most of your indoor houseplants! Did you know: That aloe plant sitting on your windowsill can be used as an ointment for scrapes, bruises, and sunburns. A chamomile plant-with its pretty display of white flowers-might be your cure for restless sleep and anxiety. A lavender plant will make your bathroom smell delightful and can also be used as a stress relief medicinal. Learn which plants have which health benefits and then find out how to care for them effectively in your home or office. Aloe soothes skin irritations and is excellent for stomach health Rosemary can slow hair loss and enhance memory Chamomile balances blood sugar and is an antibacterial Sage can easy muscle aches and bring mental clarity Dandelions can improve digestion Calendula can reduce skin inflammation Learn how to make your houseplants thrive and how to utilize them for your health!

Grow your own fruit and veg with trusted advice from the experts at the RHS. This ultimate guide to vegetable and fruit gardening features the cream of each crop, with 100 illustrated profiles and quick reference recommendations to make choosing what to grow easy. From growing tomatoes to caring for your pepper plant, you'll get practical advice on key aspects of cultivation, including sowing and harvesting, and troubleshooting pests and diseases. Clear, easy-to-follow advice on the basic principles of growing fruit and vegetables helps you plan your plot and choose the right seed or plant for your garden space. Now in paperback (previous ISBN 9781405361804), RHS Grow Fruit and Veg is full of essential cultivation advice for grow-your-own beginners and experienced gardeners alike.

Celebrated plantsman Roy Lancaster's birth on 5th December 1937 was the start of something big for plants and horticulture. His chance find of a Mexican tobacco plant in a local allotment brought him fame as a Bolton schoolboy and sowed the seeds of his future career. This book is the story of his adventures as he sees tropical plants for the first time in the jungles of Malaya, meets Roberto Burle Marx at his garden near Rio de Janeiro, and hunts for pitcher plants in North America. Well-known for his encylopedic botanical knowledge and for introducing many popular garden plants, Roy is also a consummate story-teller and wise philosopher. His acute sense of life's comic moments, spirited sense of adventure and respect for the natural world make this a remarkable read.

From the tulip fields of Netherlands to your garden flower patch, tulips are loved the world over. Jane Eastoe's passion for gardening and Rachel Werne's spectacular photography combine to showcase these gorgeous bulbs and show that anyone can grow and enjoy tulips at home. Tulips have more than 3,000 variations and their diverse textures mean that they can work anywhere, from vases to garden plots, from romantic bouquets to wedding boutonnieres. Along with the fascinating history of the flowers, Tulips details more than 50 of the most beautiful varieties, detailing when they bloom, their size, and, of course, what they'll look like. From the raspberry swirl of Zurel and the petticoat-like frills of Weber's Parrot, to the crystal rim of the Mascotte and the flaming petals of the Fabio tulip, you'll discover a stunning range of specimens to grow, including historical and contemporary varieties. With engaging commentary on each bloom, easy-to-follow advice and glorious photography, this book will appeal to everyone who appreciates the majesty of the tulip.

From blue- green to purple and pink, flower-shaped to squat and spiky or tall and fuzzy, the variety, versatility, and low-maintenance care of succulents makes them go-to plants for home gardeners. Here, succulent stylist Rachael Cohen shows that these traits also make succulents the ideal material for living art. Tiny, jewel-like succulents can be clipped and replanted in infinite combinations, and unlike cut flowers, they thrive in these arrangements. When planted in corks, they become charming living magnets; when placed in seashells, they are a delightful reminder of a day at the beach. Succulents can also grow nestled in moss, creating an opportunity for even more creativity: arrange them atop mini pumpkins or adorn a headband or a tiny wreath. In addition to illustrated step-by-step instructions for more than a dozen crafts, Cohen explains which succulents are best for each project, how to clip and prepare rosettes and leaves, and what to do when the plants outgrow their art pieces. Lush photographs throughout capture the natural beauty of the plants and boundless range of possible creations.

The perfect book on how to make your garden the best it can be. 'Essential reading' Country Life 'Funny, encouraging, informative' Sunday Times Would your garden, small or large, in town or country, win a prize? Is there room for improvement? Everybody has favourite plants, but the ability to put them all together to ensure a splendid show throughout the year is a skill that must be acquired. THE WELL-CHOSEN GARDEN will guide you to making the most of your available space, help you avoid untimely gaps, colour clashes and many other pitfalls of garden planning. The perfect book for new and experienced gardeners alike.

Towns and cities are where most of us live, work and play, and although we recognize the value of the trees standing on the corner, or in the park, or framing the cathedral, most of us are unaware that they are a vital part of our urban life-support system. Discusses what trees do for us, and traces the development of urban trees in Britain. Considers all aspects of the damaging impact of urban conditions on trees. Examines urban tree management with reference to basic principles, planning tools, species selection, and site evaluation and modification. Analyses the planting of trees in towns and cities, pruning methods, the establishment and maintenance of urban trees, and inspection, monitoring and assessment procedures. Covers tree management on streets and highways, parks, woods and other public locations, as well as in private places including homes, offices, factories and wildlife conservation sites. Summarizes the law in the UK as it relates to trees. Briefly outlines the impact of climate change on trees in urban areas and on arboriculture in general. This invaluable book is essential reading for all those who wish to discover why trees are present in our population centres, how urban life in Britain has engulfed them in the last 200 years, why life is so difficult for urban trees, what their role is, and how we should care for them and include them in our urban future.

Discover everything you need to know to grow your garden in containers. Even if you only have a balcony or small patio, you can grow more than you ever thought possible in pots, wall planters and hanging baskets! This is your no-fuss guide to container gardening. Are you interested in making your outdoor space greener but don't know where to start? This urban gardening guide for beginners will help you choose and care for more than 80 different plant varieties, all specially chosen for their ability to thrive in containers. Discover the quickest way to bring nature into your home all year round! From suntraps to shady corners, this easy gardening guide will show you how to brighten up even the trickiest areas with beautiful plants. You don't have to be a horticulture expert to get started, this indispensable reference book will take you through every single step! It includes: - Tips on how to care for more than 80 different container plant varieties - Packed with practical, jargon-free know-how and simple gardening techniques - Easy-to-follow format to help grow your gardening knowledge Let It Grow! Gorgeous, full-colour photography provides plenty of inspiration and styling ideas! Expert tips and step-by-step instructions on every page help make sure that you care for your plants in the right way for them to flourish. Grow Containers shows you how to leverage every square inch of your gardening space. It's perfect for first-time gardeners, especially renters and small homeowners with paved-over gardens. Complete the Series: Make your green-fingered dreams a reality with the Grow series from DK. Learn how to sow, grow and harvest vegetables successfully in Grow Easy Veg, or discover how to garden more sustainably in Grow Eco-Gardening. Alternatively, there are more titles to explore such as Grow Pruning & Training and Grow Houseplants.

Today's gardeners want a bit of everything--vegetables, fruit, medicinal herbs, flowers for pollinators, and even chickens for eggs. The dream is to build a diverse landscape that serves multiple functions, but achieving that goal can be intimidating and overwhelming. Homesteader Leah M. Webb shares her strategy for implementing a homestead plan in seven stages by starting small and gradually adding more features each year. The Seven-Step Homestead takes readers through the process with a series of doable steps, beginning with establishing one or two raised beds of the easiest vegetables to grow, and gradually building up to the addition of fruit trees and berry bushes on hugelkulture mounds, a coop full of chickens, and a winter's worth of storage crops. Step-by-step photos from the author's own homestead, accompanied by her hard-earned advice and instruction, make this a one-of-a-kind guide for anyone who aspires to grow more of their own food.

In "Homegrown Herbs", Tammi Hartung provides the definitive guide to planting, growing, harvesting, and using more than 100 herbs. An internationally renowned herbalist, teacher, and certified organic grower, Hartung has filled this indispensable reference with a wide range of information gathered from her 30 years of studying and working hands-on with these amazing plants. "Homegrown Herbs", is a step-by-step primer for gardeners of every level. It includes in-depth profiles of 101 cultivars, including information on seed selection, planting, maintenance and care, harvesting, drying, and uses in the kitchen, home pharmacy, crafting, and body care. Hartung supports these profiles with an array of herb garden designs, illustrations, and at-a-glance charts. Sensational four-color photo- graphs by Saxon Holt bring the information to life, and an introduction by renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar highlights the importance of this book to both individuals and the planet as a whole. Packed with valuable information, "Homegrown Herbs", is much more than an encyclopaedia of herbs. Hartung shares her passionate compelling vision for a world that is filled greater abundance, pleasure, joy, and collision. With Hartung as a guide, readers will that growing herbs is more than simply a practical act; it is also an inspired one that brings beauty, flavour, and healing to the everyday...and to the world at large.

Water lilies are inextricably linked to the ancient cultures of Greece and Rome, Egypt and the Far East, where they were highly valued, just as precious metals or gemstones, their properties were thought to be medicinal, spiritual and purely aesthetic; they have been represented in architecture, printed textiles, religious paintings and illustrations, cited in mythology, folklore, mysticism and the creative imagination. This volume meticulously records our enduring love affair with the most beautiful and exotic of plants, the water lily. It is a comprehensive and detailed account of their introduction into European culture, largely through the passion and devotion of one man, Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac (1830-1911), whose lifelong work in the field of propagation, cultivation and commercialization of water lilies inspired a generation of horticulturists, artists and poets to create the words and images that are deeply embedded in our culture today. Claude Monet, for example, used lilies from Latour-Marliac's nursery to create his garden in Giverny. The work Latour-Marliac did gave rise to development of specialist lily nurseries and growers across Europe and North America; in fact, Latour-Marliac's nursery still exists today, owned by Robert Sheldon, an American who shared Latour-Marliac's passion for water lilies and water gardening and has been the force behind the nursery's continued success today.

Prick is a stylish, practical, modern guide to the world of cacti and succulents. "A comprehensive guide" BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Cacti and succulents are the plant of the moment. Beautiful, affordable and - if you know how - easy to care for, they're a short cut to creating brighter, calmer, more relaxing spaces in the home and office. In Prick, cactus and succulent expert Gynelle Leon gives you all the knowledge you need to help your plants thrive in a simple, easy-to-understand way. Featuring: A plant gallery, showcasing the many weird and wonderful varieties A chapter of styling ideas to show off your plants A care guide to help your cacti and succulents flourish As an RHS-award-winning plant photographer and founder of London's only shop dedicated to cacti and succulents, Gynelle is the perfect guide on your path to cactus know-how.

Succulents offer dazzling possibilities, requiring only minimal maintenance and very little water to remain lush and alluring year-round. And no one knows them better than the Queen of Succulents, Debra Lee Baldwin. This new, completely revised second edition of her bestselling classic is a design compendium that is as practical as it is inspirational. Designing with Succulents shares design and cultivation basics; hundreds of succulent plant recommendations; and profiles of 50 easy-care, drought-tolerant companion plants. Featured gardens from designers and creative homeowners show the stunning potential of these otherworldly plants. Lavishly illustrated with nearly 400 photographs, you will find everything you need to visualize, create, and nurture a thriving, water-smart succulent garden.

Backyards, rooftops, courtyards and balconies are sprouting with herbs, ballooning with fruit and bursting with vegies across our urban landscapes. Slowly, but we certainly believe surely, people are embracing the joy of gardening and the more relaxed lifestyle it brings. There is a change in the air and we are excited to watch it unfold. Enter the completely addictive world of urban growing, where you can pocket a slice of farm life in the city, even if just for a few minutes a day. Growing your own lemongrass for a mojito or rhubarb to make jam isn't just about producing food, rewarding though that is. It's an antidote to the relentless pursuit to 'do it all'. It doesn't matter the size of your space, or your skill, the garden is a place for everyone. Expert horticulturalist Byron Smith has created urban food oases in even the tiniest of plots and in this book he gives you the know-how to grow your favourite ingredients as well as killer recipes to make the most of your harvest. So tuck this book under your arm and grab a beverage with the other - the time to slow down and grow is now. The good life is waiting for you.

Why do slugs prefer your lettuces to eating weeds which are just as tasty? Why do container plants wilt even though they have plenty of water? Linda Chalker-Scott tackles these and other questions gardeners ask and explains the plant physiology that is behind these everyday gardening challenges.

This is an illustrated guide to varieties, cultivation and care, with step-by-step instructions and over 170 beautiful photographs. Features: everything you need to know at a glance in one handy and magnificently illustrated practical guide; full photographic directory of over 50 varieties, including single zonal, double zonal, dwarf zonal, rosebud zonal, regal, angel, decorative, scented leaf and stellar; step-by-step guidance on planting, propagating and growing pelargoniums, and controlling pests and diseases; tips for growing and displaying pelargoniums outside and indoors, in beds, hanging baskets and window boxes; for each variety, full botanical information is provided on history, growth, hue, height, spread and suitability; and a highly accessible guide to some of the most popular flowering plants, celebrating their diversity and beauty. Pelargoniums are one of the most cherished groups of garden plants. They are particularly renowned for the impact of their vibrant flowers, their pretty leaves and rich aromatic scent, and they thrive both outdoors and inside. This book guides you through the simple techniques involved in growing and propagating these decorative plants, and illustrates some of the most popular cultivars. It includes a history of pelargoniums, with advice on how to recognize the different types. A fully illustrated plant directory describes over 40 recommended varieties, together with expert advice on selecting the best ones, planting them in beds and hanging baskets, and dealing with pests and diseases. The book will help you to create pretty displays indoors, in conservatories, on windowsills or as outdoor plants.