". . . you can't do without it. As a reference book it is unsurpassed." - The Guardian "Absolutely essential" - BBC Good Homes Find the perfect plants for your garden with this inspiring encyclopedia for all gardening enthusiasts! Achieve that beautiful garden oasis you've always dreamt of, and find endless inspiration and guidance for your garden to thrive with this gardening guide! This fully comprehensive yet easy-to-use informative planting guide is what every gardener needs on their bookshelf. Here's what you'll find inside: - A photographic catalogue of 4000 plants and flowers grouped by type, size, then colour, allowing readers to browse and find the best plants for their garden - A detailed "Plant Dictionary" describes more than 8000 species and varieties and their ideal growing conditions - In the Introduction, a "Plant Selector" section lists ideal plants for particular growing conditions, such as coastal areas, shady spots, and different soil types - Fully updated text from garden plant specialists, with more than 1380 new plants added, including the latest and most popular cultivars Discover perennials, bulbs, shrubs, and trees, succulents, and ornamental shrubs, all showcased in beautiful, full-colour photography to help elevate your garden to the next level. Use the extensive plant dictionary to look up more than 8000 plant varieties and the best growing conditions. Written by a team of more than 15 top horticultural specialists under the guidance of internationally renowned plantsman and botanist Christopher Brickell, this gardening encyclopedia appeals to all levels of gardeners and continually inspires with achievable garden ideas. This informative yet inspirational book about gardening will appeal to beginners or more experienced gardeners interested in the latest cultivars and horticultural advice.

Early and late grosts, arctic winds, an dinhospitable terrain are just a few of the obstacles facing those who garden in the icebox region of the United States and Canada. Lewis Hill has spent a lifetime in northern Vermont, and is undaunted by the challenges of weather and climate. His system for how to garden more and better in the time that you do have is covered in this extensive 308-page guide.

Cold-Climate Gardening has much information that will prove invaluable to northern gardeners: how to grow food, how to landscape, techniques to employ that will protect vulnerable plantings, how to warm up the soil earlier, and which species are appropriate to your area. Not just for those who live in the snow belt, this book will also be useful to those who garden in microclimates (such as deep valleys or hillsides) or for those who want to extend their gardening season in any climate. Horticulture has deemed it "an immensely useful book, ...written with style, wit, and clarity...." You will garner advice, tips, guidance, and encouragement necessary to have a successful gardening season in spite of Mother Nature's ravages.

Discover 50 practical actions on how to you can make your environment greener. With suggestions for your home, your building, your neighbourhood and your city as a whole, Living Green in the City is full of smart ideas on how you can revegetate the area around you. With illustrated tutorials and testimonials, this is the perfect guide for anyone wanting to bring more greenery around them.

Hypertufa containers - also known as troughs - are rustic, striking, versatile, and perfect for small, Alpine plants. A mix of cement, perlite, peat, and water, they are simple and affordable to make at home. Hypertufa Containers details everything a home gardeners needs to know to make their own troughs and successfully garden in them. Readers will discover the amazing variety of plants that thrive in troughs. Plant portraits include growing and cultivation information along with potting tips. The book features step-by-step instructions for making hypertufa containers in a variety of shapes and sizes. The instructions are easy to follow and feature colour photography. Hypertufa Containers is for container gardeners, rock gardeners, and people looking for a new DIY project.

From back-of-an-envelope list to flower-filled paradise - Brilliant and Wild: A Garden from Scratch in a Year gives even the most inexperienced gardener the chance to create a beautiful and wildlife-friendly outdoor space - from nothing - in just twelve months. Award-winning photographer, Jason Ingram, followed the author over the course of a year, as she created the garden shown in the book for her sister. This highly practical book provides new gardeners with step-by-step instructions on how to create a low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly perennial garden that will bloom within months and be fully established within a year.

(New edition) A clear and expert how-to guide to pruning and training ornamental and fruiting plants, with 970 informative photographs and illustrations, and a directory of plants and how to prune them. A helpful introduction, covering basic principles and techniques, is followed by chapters arranged by plant type. Each one includes practical advice, illustrated with step-by-step photographic sequences and artworks, on the initial training of the plant type in question, how to prune, and how to undertake renovation pruning. An invaluable A-Z directory of ornamental plants looks at the pruning requirements of a wide range of species on a plant-by-plant basis, explaining when and how to prune. All techniques and projects are shown in close-up step-by-step photography and diagrams, making this an essential book on the subject for any gardener.

This title includes succinct advice on site, aspect, soil, compost, lawns, fences, pruning, training, propagation, pest control and more. It is an authoritative guide: helpful solutions to more than 1001 of the most frequently asked questions in one accessible at-a-glance volume. It answers queries on garden sites, soil, walls, lawns, fences, patios, trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, herbs, houseplants, vegetables, container gardening, the water garden, compost, propagation, weed control, everyday maintenance and greenhouses. It comes with over 850 photographs, this volume will help you find a quick solution to every garden question. Whether you're a novice gardener or have been growing plants for years, each season can bring new dilemmas that need addressing. This handy volume asks every typical garden question and provides invaluable guidance for successful gardening. There are chapters on planning and assessing the garden site; the hard landscape; lawns; the ornamental garden; the kitchen garden; the water garden; propagation; pruning and training; garden problems; growing under cover; and garden equipment. All provide suggestions, help and reassurance for the concerns most likely to be encountered, making this the perfect reference book for every gardener.

This title helps you create a fragrant paradise to enjoy throughout the year, shown in 100 stunning photographs. You can make the most of scent around the garden by planting bulbs, annuals, perennials, herbs and small trees. You can choose beautiful plants that will calm, stimulate and uplift the body and spirit, such as butterfly bushes, honeysuckle, hyacinths, jasmine, lavender, lilac and roses. It describes scented schemes for many different garden styles, including cottage, Mediterranean and formal. It features an at-a-glance reference chart giving plant descriptions and a guide to their common names. Smell is one of the most powerful of our senses, and a glorious garden filled with subtle or intoxicating fragrances can affect our mood and wellbeing. This invaluable handbook describes the myriad plants that have scented qualities, whether it is in their flowers, leaves, fruit or bark, and explains how to use them effectively in different locations and garden styles. There is guidance on planting and harvesting for maximum fragrance, as well as advice on how to choose varieties that will provide interest throughout the year, and from morning until night. There is also a useful chart listing scented plants with their growing season and attributes.

Food is a unifying cultural force, but food security (feeding the world) is one of the greatest challenges we now face. By 2050, with 2 billion more people on the planet, we'll need to find ways to feed everyone sustainably. There are 50,000 different plant species that are edible but 90% of our food energy intake currently comes from just 15 crop plants. Organised in six sections, covering leaves, roots and squashes, grains and pulses, fungi, herbs and spices, and fruit and nuts. The book features over 60 delicious and unusual vegetarian recipes from celebrity contributors .

Discover how easy it is to harness the natural goodness of plants with over 50 homemade beauty recipes that can help you feel better, look better and have a healthy year! Most of us use lipbalms, body scrubs and cosmetics every day, but these can be full of chemicals and harmful to your skin and health. This book teaches you how to confidently make your own homemade remedies and natural beauty products using plants and herbs that are readily available, and often free, such as nettles, dandelions, herbs and hawthorn berries. Our gardens and hedgerows contain much of what we need to keep mild ailments at bay and it's fun giving it a go - instead of weeding the dandelions in your lawn, pick them and use them! Or plant marigolds, not just for their cheerful colour, but to make wonderful skin oils. With a helpful 'Season by Season' layout, you will know at a glance what to gather and when to gather it. Inside, you'll find homemade beauty recipes, including camomile bath soak, chocolate lip gloss, lavender bath bombs, mint lip balm, and more! Plus, plenty of healthy recipes for homemade remedies, from treatments for colds and overindulgence, to witch hazel spot gel, burn salves, skin-toning ointments, and even hay fever relief. This book is a source book for mind, body and soul, as well as a testament to the natural power and beauty of herbs. Get out there, keep your eyes open and discover the many widely available plants that you can use for your health - with the added bonus that they're not costing you anything. With Treat Yourself Natural you will feel empowered to explore the wonderful world of making healthy remedies and homemade beauty products, either for yourself or as gifts for your friends and family; after all, there is nothing nicer than a lovingly made present. "This book is full of brilliant ideas for things to make for yourself, or as wonderful gifts. Year in year out this will be an invaluable resource for a rainy day or a country walk, written by someone who really knows what she is talking about as well as living the same busy life as you and I." From the foreword, by Kirstie Allsopp

For everyone from beginners to masters, the one essential book to growing, grooming, and caring for your bonsai tree.
Bonsai is the ancient craft of carefully regulating the growth and shape of trees in order to produce miniature versions of mature trees. Dating back over one thousand years to ancient Japan, bonsai trees are some of the most beautiful and meticulously looked-after plants in the world, and in recent years bonsai have exploded in popularity in the Western world.
"Bonsai," written by world-renowned bonsai expert Peter Chan, is the essential compendium for anyone interested in trying out bonsai for the first time or adding more bonsai to their existing collections, detailing everything you need to know about buying and maintaining a magnificent bonsai tree, including:
- How to pick the right bonsai for you
- Tools and supplies to ensure your bonsai prospers
- How to shape your bonsai into different styles
- How different pots affect the growth of your bonsai
- And much more
With hundreds of color photographs and easy-to-read directions and explanations on a variety of subjects, "Bonsai" is the only book you'll ever need to successfully start and maintain your own beautiful bonsai tree collection.

The ideal gift for gardeners - discover more than 15,000 beautiful plants and learn how to successfully grow each one with this definitive planting guide now in its fully updated 4th edition. The RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants has been compiled by an unrivalled team of over 70 plant experts led by Chris Brickell, the former Director General of the Royal Horticultural Society and a globally renowned plantsman. This latest edition of the world's most comprehensive garden plant encyclopedia has undergone the greatest update since its first publication, with more than 5,000 new entries added and 6,000 superb images featuring fresh new photography. Whether you're looking for inspiration for an unusual new flowering plant to grow, want to identify an amazing orchid you've seen, or need to find out how to keep alive the cactus you've been gifted - the A-Z is bound to have the answer.

A must-have for every gardener in California looking for a new way to garden in a changing climate In recent years California has been facing extreme drought, and in 2015 they passed state-wide water restrictions that affect home owners. Unfortunately the drought is only going to get worse, and gardeners who aren't willing to abandon their beloved pastime entirely are going to have to learn how to garden with the absolute minimum of water. The Drought-Defying California Garden highlights the best 230 plants to grow, shares advice on how to get them established, and offers tips on how to maintain them with the minimum amount of water. All of the plants are native to California--making them uniquely adept at managing the harsh climate--and include perennials, annuals, shrubs, trees, and succulents.

Herbaceous perennials flower each year, dying down in the winter and springing back to life the following spring. They are central features in the landscape of a garden as they appear year-after-year and must be regarded as constant features. This book gives the expert view on the vast array of flowers available. Includes: * creative garden ideas and border planting plans * practical advice on care, maintenance and propagation * illustrated A-Z profiles of recommended plants * recommended plants for specific purposes, conditions and effects * step-by-step illustrations showing essential techniques Alan Titchmarsh imparts a lifetime of expertise in these definitive guides for beginners and experienced gardeners. Step-by-step illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions guide you through the basic gardening skills and on to the advanced techniques, providing everything you need to create beautiful flower borders in your garden.

This book shows you how to create a garden with glorious colour in every season, with 130 photographs. You can enjoy vibrant beds and borders throughout the year, with practical advice and ideas for stunning combinations. It features easy-to-follow instructions for seasonal gardening tasks - from sowing seeds to overwintering flowers - and details of when plants are at their best. It features planting ideas for low-maintenance, seasonal interest using perennials, bulbs, berries, foliage, stems, evergreen shrubs, heathers, grasses and conifers. It includes a simple reference chart giving planting and flowering times for many common garden plants. As the year progresses, different types of plant come into their own. Bulbs begin to open in spring, hardy perennials make stunning statements in summer, foliage turns golden in the fall, and shrubs provide interest during the winter months. Discovering which plants are at their best at which times is the secret to ensuring a continuous display, and this book is full of expert instructions for providing successional colour all year long. Season by season, the book suggests plants for colour, as well as listing the main jobs that need to be done in the garden. Illustrated with over 130 beautiful photographs, the book guarantees permanent interest throughout the year.

This book features the best plants for spring, summer, autumn and winter displays, with over 300 photographs. You can make the best of your garden throughout the year by planting seasonal flowers, trees and shrubs. Inspirational displays include flower beds and borders, ponds, window boxes, hanging baskets and tubs. It shows you how to choose suitable plants for every situation - from berried shrubs to twiggy hedges and floral climbers - and how to display them effectively. Vibrant and stunning photographs capture the beauty of delicate spring bulbs, fiery summer annuals, pretty autumn seedheads and verdant winter trees and grasses. It features a wide range of garden styles - from traditional country cottage to formal and contemporary. It features an at-a-glance calendar of key gardening jobs to do during and after each season. From the long-awaited first buds of spring and the riotous displays of summer, to the rich hues of autumn and the structural quality of the winter landscape, your garden can mirror the changing seasons and the wonderful variety of plants available. Season by season, this book takes an inspirational look at bulbs, annuals, perennials, climbers, shrubs and trees, with full descriptions, flowering times, tips on the best growing conditions and hardiness notes. Ideas are presented for pretty window boxes, hanging baskets, tubs, and eye-catching beds and borders. There are also useful lists of jobs that should be done during each season to ensure your garden stays looking its best. With a wealth of practical advice and over 300 photographs, this book is sure to inspire all year round.

Compiled by two distinguished professors of horticulture, "The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation" is a must for professionals and students of horticulture. Over 1,100 species and their propagation requirements by seeds, cuttings, grafting and budding, and tissue culture are discussed in exhaustive detail. Essentially a recipe book for making more trees and shrubs, this reference is a high-level how-to.

Plants are a major part of most gardens and fulfil many roles within them, providing colour, shade, scent, form, texture and much more. Choosing the right plants can be a challenge but this book provides a step-by-step guide for successful long-term planting, using design techniques and good horticultural practice.

Keep your house plants alive and thriving with this illustrated, accessible guide to popular house plants for new and experienced plant-parents alike. Many new gardeners are finally starting to understand why bringing the outside indoors is so appealing. From improving home decor to mental health, plants have so many benefits. But keeping them alive (and most importantly, thriving) isn't always easy! What does it mean if your plant has brown tips? Rotting roots? Yellow leaves? The list goes on. Don't you just wish your plants could communicate what's wrong and how to fix it? What Is My Plant Telling Me? answers all your plant-based questions making it the perfect companion for anyone interested in keeping their plants looking their best. This illustrated guide to the fifty most popular house plants will show you how to: -Speak your plant's language -Identify classic distress signals -Intervene successfully to keep your plants thriving for years to come -Choose plants that work best for your space -Pick the best locations within your home to keep your new plants -Identify the pot size needed when you want to replant -And more! Whether you're interested in growing a cactus, orchid, or even the popular Fiddle Leaf Fig, this book is the perfect guide to deciphering the message your plant is telling you and what you can do to revive it.

Angus Webster begins by saying, "This book has been written and is published with the distinct object in view of bringing home to the minds of planters of Hardy Trees and Shrubs, the fact that the monotonous repetition, in at least nine-tenths of our Parks and Gardens, of such Trees as the Elm, the Lime, and the Oak, and such Shrubs as the Cherry Laurel and the Privet, is neither necessary nor desirable." He goes on to say that there are many flowering shrubs that are ornamental and also sturdy. There are over thirteen hundred species and varieties of trees and shrubs that can grow in most climates. Plants are listed in alphabetical order.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.