Creative gardening with indigenous plants, now in its second edition, is an invaluable handbook for South African gardeners. In this comprehensive guide the authors set out to popularise the use of indigenous South African plants in gardens, parks, on roadsides and anywhere where previously exotic plants were preferred. This book covers more than 300 plants, all illustrated by stunning photographs in full colour showing the whole plant as well as selected features such as flowers, fruit, leaves and bark. The text comprises a description of each plant, its usages - including medicinal uses and snippets of folklore - and advice on cultivation. Introductory chapters cover topics such as propagating plants from seeds and cuttings, gardening in the different climate regions, and using indigenous plants to attract birds and insects to the garden. Taking a very practical approach, using symbols, distribution maps, plant size and flower colour, the authors lead the reader to the correct plant to choose for the application, whether this be tree, shrub, annual, perennial, climber or water-loving plant. This all-inclusive book is a must for gardeners, horticulturists, landscape designers and anyone involved in the South African nursery industry.

Palms that grow in Canada? Bananas that overwinter in Michigan? How about southern crape myrtles that flower in Birmingham, England, instead of Birmingham, Alabama? Although the voice of authority -- and nursery labels -- might say, "You can't grow those plants here," author Dave Francko has a different message for gardeners: "Plants can't read the information on their tags." Laced with humorous anecdotes and based on years of first-hand observations and research, this book provides real-world information to help adventurous gardeners grow plants they never before dreamed possible. Nobody who reads this book will ever look at a plant label the same way again.

An exhaustive exposition of propagating methods, from growing from seed to cuttings, grafting, layering, and tissue culture. It is based on the actual working methods of successful propagators worldwide and presents detailed explanations and illustrations of the procedures used. This book is only available through print on demand. All interior art is black and white.

This work demonstrates how plants themselves can do much of the hard work associated with gardening and looks critically at many traditional practices. Garden plants all possess the genes that enable their wild counterparts to combine successfully into communities, and using "matrix planting", the book shows how to provide the conditions they need to get on with it. It includes case studies drawn from all parts of the world, with overviews, outcomes and plant lists, and also covers care of the soil.