This is an illustrated guide to varieties, cultivation and care, with step-by-step instructions and more than 130 beautiful photographs. Everything you need to know about hostas at a glance in one handy practical gardening guide. It includes a beautiful photographic directory of over 40 types, including yellow, green, blue and variegated hostas. For each variety, full botanical information is provided on the plant's history, growth, size and flowering. It offers a step-by-step guidance on choosing, planting, propagating and caring for hostas, and dealing with pests and diseases. It features superb planting ideas for growing hostas in troughs, as ground cover, as edging plants, in mixed borders, in containers and for flower arrangements. It is the definitive handbook for one of the most popular and best-loved garden plants. The versatility and beauty of hostas makes them one of the most popular and rewarding foliage plants. Whether you use larger hostas to create a stately summer border or dwarf varieties to enliven a rocky or aquatic environment, they are reliable, attractive and relatively low-maintenance. Flourishing even in containers, hostas are truly plants for every situation. This beautiful book explains how to use hostas to their best advantage, as well as providing a fully illustrated directory of over 40 types. With expert advice on selecting varieties, planting and growing hostas, the book will help you to create a wonderful display of these popular shrubs.

This comprehensive introduction contains everything you need to know about the history, botany and cultivation of apples, from planting, pruning and propagation to harvesting, storing and cooking. A stunning identification guide features 800 original photographs and provides detailed information. It is packed with over 60 inspirational and scrumptious recipes for a fabulous selection of breakfasts, appetizers, main courses, salads, side dishes, sauces, preserves, drinks and desserts.

A captivating A-Z treasury for the tree hugger in all of us Treepedia is an entertaining and fact-filled illustrated compendium of tree lore. Featuring nearly 100 entries-on topics ranging from tree ecology and conservation to the role of trees in religion, literature, art, and movies-this enticing collection is a celebration of all things arboreal. In this charming book, Joan Maloof explains the difference between a cedar and a cypress, and reveals where to find the most remarkable trees on the planet. She tells the story behind the venerable Bodhi Tree, and describes peculiar species like baobabs and Fitzroya. Maloof profiles legendary conservationists such as Julia "Butterfly" Hill, John Muir, Wangari Maathai, and Ken Wu. She discusses reforestation, proforestation, emerald ash borers, the ents from The Lord of the Rings, culturally modified trees, the ill-fated and controversial Redwood Summer, and much more. The book's portable size makes it the perfect travel companion no matter where your love of the forest may lead you. With enchanting illustrations by Maren Westfall, Treepedia is a fun and informative book that is guaranteed to inspire anyone who has ever enjoyed a walk in the woods. Features a real cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design Uses 100 percent recycled, uncoated, wood-free paper

"Indian Garden Flowers" is a comprehensive manual discussing all the factors that make gardening a joyous affair and covers everything an amateur gardener needs to know in order to grow seasonal flowers. It is a delightful, comprehensive and scientifically accurate manual with 76 rich and colourful illustrations. It gives details from the conception of a garden to reaping its rewards. Brief propagation details along with post-planting care and usage of manure and fertilizers will forego dependency on the shallow knowledge of the local mali. Written in a lucid and concise style and complimented with beautiful real-to-life illustrations, this handy reference guide will prove to be extremely useful to a novice as well as an expert gardener.

Home Harvest: Your Pocket Guide to Kitchen Gardening is a practical, fun and easy-to-read deck of cards that will help you plant and grow your own kitchen garden. Growing vegetables sounds like a daunting task if you've never done it before, but it's actually very simple. Including gardening 101 tips plus instructions for growing vegetables, herbs and flowers, Home Harvest breaks down the basics of growing your own food. The deck is divided into four sections: Gardening 101, Veggies, Herbs and Flowers. The gardening 101 cards help you start your garden from scratch, offer advice on keeping it healthy and abundant, and introduce you to the common garden enemies with tips on managing them. You will also learn how to entice all the friendly critters needed for a healthy ecosystem. Each veggie, herb and flower card has growing and planting information, plus handy cooking tips and fun facts. In Home Harvest the farmers behind Kinsfolk Farm guide you through the process of planting, growing and eating veggies from your very own patch of soil - as simple as that! The card format is perfect for gardening because you can take one card out to the garden at a time instead of lugging a book around. Each card is beautifully illustrated by the phenomenal Edith Rewa, making this a stunning gift for every gardener in your life.

For indoor gardeners everywhere, Darryl Cheng offers a new way to grow healthy house plants. He teaches the art of understanding a plant's needs and giving it a home with the right balance of light, water, and nutrients. After reading Cheng, the indoor gardener will be far less the passive follower of rules for the care of each species and much more the confident, active grower, relying on observation and insight. And in the process, the plant owner becomes a plant lover, bonded to these beautiful living things by a simple love and appreciation of nature. The House Plant Journal Handbook covers all of the basics of growing house plants, from finding the right light, to everyday care like watering and fertilizing, to containers, to recommended species. Cheng's friendly tone, personal stories, and accessible photographs fill his book with the same generous spirit that has made @houseplantjournal, his Instagram account, a popular source of advice and inspiration for thousands of indoor gardeners.

**SHORTLISTED FOR THE GARDEN MEDIA AWARDS, INSPIRATIONAL BOOK OF THE YEAR** The lotus, lily, sunflower, opium poppy, rose, tulip and orchid: seven flowers, each with its own story full of surprises and secrets, each affecting the world around us in subtle yet powerful ways. But what is the nature of their power and how did it develop? Why have these particular plants become the focus of gardens, literature and art? In order to find the answers, author and horticultural historian Jennifer Potter tracks this septet of flowers across the globe as she examines the influence they have had on civilizations through the ages. These are both histories and detective stories, full of incident and unexpected revelations. Here are the flowers of life and death; of purity and passion; of greed, envy and virtue; of hope and consolation; of the beauty that drives men wild. All seven demonstrate the enduring ability of flowers to speak metaphorically - if we could only decode what they have to say.

This work offers a new approach to planning and planting. It shows how to throw caution to the wind and orchestrate colours, textures, scale and scent to spectacular effect from spring until autumn. The key is colour: intense, strong and voluptuous - deep crimsons combined with acid green and incandescent orange, for example. Integral to Sarak Raven's vision is a feeling for dramatic scale: plants with huge presence, architectural foliage, strong, sculptural shapes. To complete the effect, she includes flowers with silken and velvety textures and describes how to flood the garden with scent. There are schemes for sunny, open beds and borders for shady areas, for damp soils and to clothe walls and fences - many of which include lots of quick-growing annuals and take only a season to achieve.

Most people think of spring-flowering plants when bulbs are mentioned, yet among summer- and autumn-flowering bulbs, there is great diversity and beauty to be found. This volume contains a photographic catalogue of over 50 varieties of summer bulbs. For each variety, there is full botanical information on growth, spread, size and flowering. There is step-by-step photographic guidance on growing and caring for summer bulbs, including pruning, harvesting for culinary use, and propagating.

Colourful and hardy succulents meet the simple principles of Japanese Bonsai and Ikebana in this unique guide to container gardening. Inexpensive projects presented along with the spare aesthetic of Japanese design will appeal to everyone from interior designers to small space enthusiasts to gardeners. Stylish Succulents approaches container gardens as an art form ranging from low-key to lush. Trendy and low-maintenance succulents come in a variety of colours, sizes, shapes, and textures as do containers making each project one-of-a-kind. Projects are carefully explained and include step-by-step photo instructions. Learn how to: Choose colours, shapes, and textures to fit your personal space Utilize wall spaces with simple planters and dramatic hanging gardens Make a succulent wreath Create thoughtful and inexpensive giftsEvery level of gardener can create these miniature works of gardening art using containers and plants of their choosing. The possibilities are truly endless!

Turn your indoors into a green oasis! Learn about 175 house plants and follow step-by-step projects to create an indoor garden. A plant book perfect for people who live in apartments and enthusiastic gardeners who want to move their gardening expertise inside! Learn how to create an indoor garden that will improve your wellbeing, is good for the environment, and will bring tranquillity to your home. The RHS Practical House Plant Book shows you how to create a green home - literally. Inside this plant guide you'll find: - A "Designing with Houseplants" section that reveals key principles for choosing, arranging, and curating your houseplant collection - More than 175 plant profiles that provide detailed information and care instructions on a wide variety of plants, including ferns, orchids, and succulents - Unrivalled practical, illustrated information on plant care, propagation, pests and diseases, pruning, and problem-solving - 12 photographic step-by-step projects offer exciting ideas for using plants to stunning effect in your home and conservatory Now you can display, nurture, and care for plants even if you do not have garden space! This RHS plant guide profiles the best indoor plants like ferns, bamboo, orchards, cacti, and succulents. It includes information on air-purifying plants to ensure easy breathing in your home. Author and horticulturist Zia Allaway has combined her practical know-how with Fran Brailey - London houseplant shop owner's - design inspiration so that your indoor garden will enhance your home's aesthetic. You will learn how to care for plants and cultivate various species. Understand repotting, water, compost, draining, pests, diseases, diagnosing sickly plants, and how to create good light and temperature conditions. With over a dozen step-by-step guides and profiles on 175 plants, you will assemble an eye-catching bottle terrarium, craft your macrame hanging planter, or propagate succulents for your friends in no time.

Greens are highly nutritious, contributing essential vitamins and minerals to the diet, and they are particularly tasty if they are home-grown and eaten soon after harvesting. In this book, the main types of greens are described and illustrated, with useful information about the different varieties that can be grown, their history, cultivation requirements and cooking uses. There are step-by-step instructions for planting greens, as well as keeping them in tip-top condition by dealing with pests and diseases. A must for novices and experienced growers alike, the book is ideal for anyone who wants to experiment with new varieties.

There is nothing quite like growing your own strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries and currants to provide a reliable crop of the finest taste and quality. In this informative kitchen garden handbook, all the most popular soft fruits are illustrated, with useful information on their origins, growing habits, nutritional content and culinary uses. A techniques section explains how to train and support fruit bushes, pruning, sheltering plants from the weather and harvesting and storing crops. Whether you have a large kitchen garden, a small garden plot with some space in the borders, or room for a few containers, this book is a must for all fruit growers.

Save money and eat fresh with this hands-on guide to home-growing Growing you own produce is the only way to enjoy delicious, garden-fresh fruit and veg all year round. This practical manual gives you the lowdown on everything from finding the right tools and choosing which plants to grow, to nurturing your crops and bringing in your first harvest. The easy-to-follow advice will help you get started straight away and become a confident and successful kitchen gardener. * Get going with growing - discover which plants are best for you and how to make the most of your outdoor space * Prepare your plot - learn how to set up and maintain healthy beds for your fruit and vegetables * Grow tasty veg - choose your favourite veggies from asparagus and broccoli to courgettes, sweet corn and many more * Grow your own fruit salad - get quick results from fast-growing berries and learn to nurture slow-growing tree fruit and exotic greenhouse produce

Flamboyant, intriguing, beautiful and exotic, orchids have evolved to become the largest family of plants in the world. This classic book, written by two of the world's leading orchid authorities and now updated, presents everything you need to know to identify, choose and display these delightful flowers successfully. It contains guidance on tools and equipment; feeding and watering; and dealing with pests and diseases. A directory describes and illustrates a wide range of species and hybrids, providing information on habitat, size, flowering time and growing requirements. With over 600 exquisite photographs, this is the definitive guide to growing these well-loved plants.

"If you've been looking to be inspired by nature and everything your garden gives you, you'll be enriched by the tips and wisdom presented in this book." --Garden Design Magazine There has never been a better time to dedicate yourself to a life enriched by nature. In A Year at Brandywine Cottage, David Culp inspires you to find that connection in the comfort of your own backyard. Organized seasonally, A Year at Brandywine Cottage is filled with fresh ideas and trusted advice on flower gardening, growing vegetables and herbs, creating simple floral arrangements, and cooking seasonally with home-grown produce. You'll find suggested tasks for each month, including advice on when to plant and harvest, how to weed and water, and what to plant for year-round beauty. Packed with glorious photography by Rob Cardillo and brimming with practical tips, A Year at Brandywine Cottage is your guide to living your best life in--and out--of the garden.

This vividly written and lavishly illustrated book challenges many cherished beliefs about the rose. It looks set to establish itself as the definitive history of the Queen of Flowers. Ever since Sappho planted roses at the shrine of Aphrodite, no flower has captured the imagination in quite the same way. Wherever it has grown, human beings have projected on to it their dreams and aspirations. Celebrated as a sacred symbol and as a token of womanhood, the rose unites Venus with the Virgin Mary, the blood of Christ with the sweat of Muhammad, the sacred and the profane, life and death, the white rose of chastity and the red rose of consummation. In The Rose, the acclaimed horticultural historian Jennifer Potter shows what, exactly, gives this most fragrant flower its potency in societies around the world. Beginning her story in the Greek and Roman empires, she travels across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas to unravel its evolution from a simple briar of the northern hemisphere to the height of cultivated perfection found in rose gardens today. Whether laying bare the flower's long association with sexuality and secret societies, questioning the Crusaders' role in bringing roses back from the Holy Land, or hunting for its elusive blooms in the gardens of the Empress Josephine at Malmaison, Jennifer Potter reveals why this flower, above all others, has provoked such fascination.

Most botanical gardens include succulents in their collections; few are devoted solely to them. In Succulent Paradise, the reader is taken on a verbal and visual tour of twelve exceptional succulent gardens. See how a handful of landscaping and horticultural visionaries have juxtaposed indigenous and exotic plants with a blend of natural and created landscaping elements. Experience the impact and style of gardens in locations as diverse as steeply terraced Mediterranean cliffs, dusty Karoo plains, Mexico City’s metropolis, California’s canyons, and the red desert of Arizona. The authors have visited gardens around the world dedicated to the display, cultivation and propagation of succulent plants. In Succulent Paradise, they have expressed their love of these tenacious, yet surprisingly glamorous, plants as well as appreciation for those whose vision and persistence has created abundance, promoted conservation, and left a legacy for future generations.

Peterson, former president of the American Pit Gardening Society, shows how common kitchen staples - pits, nuts, beans, seeds, and tubers - can be coaxed into lush, vibrant houseplants that are as attractive as they are fascinating. With Peterson's help, a sweet potato turns into a blooming vine; chickpeas transform into cheery hanging baskets; the humble beet becomes a dramatic centerpiece; and gingerroot grows into a 3-foot, bamboo-like stalk. In some cases the transformation can happen overnight!"Don't Throw It, Grow It!" offers growing instructions for over 50 plants in four broad categories - kitchen vegetables; fruits and nuts; herbs and spices; and more exotic plants from ethnic markets. The book is enhanced with beautiful illustrations, and its at-a-glance format makes it a quick and easy reference. Best of all, every featured plant can be grown in a kitchen, making this handy guide a must-have for avid gardeners and apartment-dwellers alike. "Don't Throw It, Grow It!" will appeal both to committed recyclers and to anyone who wants to find magic in the mundane - from parents and teachers looking to instill a sense of wonder in children, to the houseplant enthusiast seeking to create a one-of-a-kind Eden right in her kitchen.

Foliage gives shape and texture as well as colour. It is the vital contrast needed to make a garden the vibrant place that it should be. It is possible to have a garden based entirely on leaves and foliage alone, but it would be difficult to make an attractive garden if all of the flowering plants had identical leaves. The leaves are often a backdrop for the flowers and although foliage sometimes masks them, the greenery usually helps to highlight them. "Trees and Shrubs for Foliage" is a compendium of beautiful trees and shrubs with photographs specifically chosen for the extraordinary array of leaves in every shape, size and colour available for gardens in every season.