It delves into the art and technique of bonsai styling, the text enhanced by line drawings and photographs.

    Beginning with early agricultural and religious practices, Professor Itoh describes how the major garden types-from microcosmic stone-and-gravel compositions and tea-ceremony settings to spacious landscapes for strolling-evolved from a rich mingling of native and foreign influences. While never totally rejecting outside influence, the Japanese nevertheless willfully misinterpreted rigid Chinese models to suit their own tastes and infused Zen gardens with a sensitivity to material born of their native Shinto animist faith. Even today, garden designers responding to new building styles and ways of living still preserve the impeccable sense of design and intimacy with nature that are the hallmark of the Japanese tradition. Each page is packed with information, anecdote, and every kind of illustration-maps, plans, sketches, reproductions from ancient books, and photographs of great gardens and historical figures. One chapter is wholly devoted to Kyoto's famous Moss Temple, while another visits modern-day temple, tea, and country gardens to offer a rare look beyond the private gates and into the hearts of people who actually enjoy these gardens in their daily lives. There is an examination of the important elements-stones, lanterns, pathways, basins, plantings, fences-and at the end a special appendix gives Teiji Itoh's personal choice of gardens to visit in Japan, including addresses, descriptions, and hints on when to go and what to look for. The Gardens of Japan is by far the most delightful and informative volume in the field. With 96 pages of superb color, it is in every detail a fitting celebration of nature's beauty, joy, and meaning.

    Long considered required reading for those with difficult low-light areas, it covers the basics literally from the ground up, leading the gardener through the creation of his or her own shady retreat. Part One concerns the art and science of a shade garden, from preparing the soil, to pruning, to considering different "shades of shade" (does your favorite bed lie in dappled shade or high shade?). Part Two, which details information on growing the plant, is neatly arranged in sections according to the type of plant. These descriptions are casual, to the point, and often humorous. The sago palm, for example, "will put you in touch with paleobotany." Selected photographs and line drawings both illustrate and inspire.

    Mrs. Rago is a sensitive writer with an easy and comfortable style--a delightful way with words!For those who love to cook and eat well, there are favorite recipes and a wealth of ideas for using herbs each month of the year. In addition, Dooryard Herbs expresses the author's special fascination for history and herbal lore.Linda lives with her husband Ron and children Reid and Jane in a charming mid-nineteenth century house in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.A frequent contributor to newspapers and magazines, the author has written a weekly newspaper column on herbs and an article for Country Magazine.Dooryard Herbs is further enhanced by the original pen and ink drawings of illustrator Evalina Manucy Stowell, a Harpers Ferry artist who has illustrated Meet the Craftsman. Mrs. Stowell, also an herb gardener, is co-owner of Stowell Galleries in Harpers Ferry and Directoress of the Harpers Ferry Montessori School.

    Paperback Book

    The author describes over 1,500 plants organized by growing conditions, purpose and appearance. Each plant is illustrated in full color and accompanied by a full description of its size, flowering seasons, needs, care and propagation.

    Addressing the needs of gardening novices, seasoned hobbyists, and horticultural professionals alike, the author created a reference book that no Florida gardener should be without.

    In this new edition, Jean Andrews updates each section with new material gathered over the last ten years. Particularly interesting are her descriptions of recent medicinal uses of peppers (including a recipe for pain-relieving capsaicin cream) and the inclusion of two additional cultivars, Datil and Scotch Bonnet.Like the first edition, this volume is illustrated with botanically accurate, yet aesthetically pleasing paintings that show the blossoms, buds, young peppers, and mature specimens of 34 cultivars in full color. Dr. Andrews also provides a recipe for the most typical dish in which each pepper is used, recipes that she herself has tested and served to grateful friends. With its up-to-the-minute, encyclopedic text and beautiful illustrations, Peppers remains a botanical natural history par excellence.

    Grow bountiful crops with the help of gardening expert Joy Larkcom. She will be your guide to the best growing techniques, and the best which varieties of plants you'll want based on your personal palette. Larkcom also includes instruction on making your own beautifully designed potager garden. Whether you have space for intricate walkways, or are growing in a window box, The Salad Garden has what's right for you!

    This book, lavishly illustrated with full-color flower 'portraits', describes nearly 300 species of flowers that nature enthusiasts can find hiding in the nook and crannies of the region.

    

    Contains more than 1,000 illustrations and plans in addition to 400 full-color photographs. Illustrations.

    Contains over 200 color plates with excellent descriptions of native plants seen along the roadsides and hiking trails in Southern California.

    Part catalog, part history, The Book of Bamboo shows us how this versatile wood, which is both sustainable and plentiful, has been used for thousands of years to make items ranging from things needed for survival like clothing and housing to more exotic and luxurious objects like phonograph needles and children's toys, as well as dozens of others. With information both practical and wistful, David Farrelly tells us about the plant's biology and life cycle, gives tips on harvesting and planting, and lore about the ancient wood. Farrelly conveys the rich and timeless message that bamboo — strong, flexible, and beautiful in both its natural and its finished states is an abundant resource that could beneficially replace many of the less sustainable materials now commonly used in many aspects of our daily lives and transform our culture in the process.

    

    Sir George Taylor, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England from 1956-1971, endorsed it heartily, "This book is likely to become a familiar and much-consulted book for many, many readers. I have been impressed by its comprehensiveness, pleased to find it so full of accurate information, and truly delighted to see a subject which as preoccupied much of my life made so fresh and such fun." ... Ask GR8 BUYS 4U if you would like to see the Table of Contents or anything else in this book before purchasing it.

    Older varieties are often better adapted to specific local growing conditions, offer a rich diversity of choices, and can be better-tasting than new hybrids. Moreover, by growing heirlooms, gardeners help to safeguard a precious gene pool and reap the unique rewards of literally bringing history to life.

    The excyclopedia section describes over 6,000 plants, and includes at least one drawing for each of the more than 1,100 plant groups. A special 64 page section recommends the best plants for specific garden situations, with easy to use charts and many full color photographs. Another section shows you with over 200 illustrations how to take care of your garden. Maps of the West's 24 unique climate zones pinpoint your region so you can personalize the zoning information throughout the book. A reference book for beginners and experts alike, the New Western Garden Book offers complete information for gardening in 11 states, california, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.

    Most medium and large-sized libraries should consider for purchase."--Library Journal. "A book as elegant and precise as its subject....Lush color...itself a work of art"--Publishers Weekly.