That’s right: growing more mushrooms may be the best thing we can do to save the environment, and in this groundbreaking text from mushroom expert Paul Stamets, you’ll find out how. The basic science goes like this: Microscopic cells called “mycelium”--the fruit of which are mushrooms--recycle carbon, nitrogen, and other essential elements as they break down plant and animal debris in the creation of rich new soil. What Stamets has discovered is that we can capitalize on mycelium’s digestive power and target it to decompose toxic wastes and pollutants (mycoremediation), catch and reduce silt from streambeds and pathogens from agricultural watersheds (mycofiltration), control insect populations (mycopesticides), and generally enhance the health of our forests and gardens (mycoforestry and myco-gardening).  In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find chapters detailing each of these four exciting branches of what Stamets has coined “mycorestoration,” as well as chapters on the medicinal and nutritional properties of mushrooms, inoculation methods, log and stump culture, and species selection for various environmental purposes. Heavily referenced and beautifully illustrated, this book is destined to be a classic reference for bemushroomed generations to come.

    Volume I lays out the vision of the forest garden and explains the basic ecological principles that make it work. In Volume II, Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier move on to practical considerations: concrete ways to design, establish, and maintain your own forest garden. Along the way they present case studies and examples, as well as tables, illustrations, and a uniquely valuable -plant matrix- that lists hundreds of the best edible and useful species.Taken together, the two volumes of Edible Forest Gardens offer an advanced course in ecological gardening--one that will forever change the way you look at plants and your environment.

    This book is the distillation of conversations, none previously published, that took place between 2002 and 2004. Beginning with the garden, that "work of the imagination," the explorations journey through personal recollections, the creative process, and the harmony of the life cycle. A bouquet of poems and a total of 26 full-color photographs accompany the various sections. The Wild Braid received a 2006 American Horticultural Society Book Award.

    Volume I lays out the vision of the forest garden and explains the basic ecological principles that make it work. In Volume II, Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier move on to practical considerations: concrete ways to design, establish, and maintain your own forest garden. Along the way they present case studies and examples, as well as tables, illustrations, and a uniquely valuable "plant matrix" that lists hundreds of the best edible and useful species.Taken together, the two volumes of "Edible Forest Gardens" offer an advanced course in ecological gardening--one that will forever change the way you look at plants and your environment.

    Volume I lays out the vision of the forest garden and explains the basic ecological principles that make it work. In Volume II, Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier move on to practical considerations: concrete ways to design, establish, and maintain your own forest garden. Along the way they present case studies and examples, as well as tables, illustrations, and a uniquely valuable -plant matrix- that lists hundreds of the best edible and useful species.Taken together, the two volumes of Edible Forest Gardens offer an advanced course in ecological gardening-one that will forever change the way you look at plants and your environment.What is an edible forest garden? An edible forest garden is a perennial polyculture of multipurpose plants. Most plants regrow every year without replanting: perennials. Many species grow together: a polyculture. Each plant contributes to the success of the whole by fulfilling many functions: multipurpose. In other words, a forest garden is an edible ecosystem, a consciously designed community of mutually beneficial plants and animals intended for human food production. Edible forest gardens provide more than just a variety of foods. The seven F's apply here: food, fuel, fiber, fodder, fertilizer, and -farmaceuticals, - as well as fun. A beautiful, lush environment can be a conscious focus of your garden design, or a side benefit you enjoy

    Authored by three of the state's leading native-plant horticulturists and illustrated with 450 color photos, this reference book also includes chapters on landscape design, installation, and maintenance. Detailed lists of recommended native plants for a variety of situations and appendices with information on places to see native plants and where to buy them are also provided.

    It has always placed an emphasis on gardening, but since then it has expanded to include many other aspects, from community design to energy use. It can be seen as an overall framework that puts a diversity of green ideas into perspective. Its aims are low work, high output, and genuine sustainability.

    Even experienced houseplant enthusiasts will benefit from Pleasant’s expansive knowledge of indoor gardening, which includes personality profiles, growing needs, and troubleshooting tips for 160 blooming and foliage varieties. Create a greener world, one houseplant at a time.

    No other book on the market provides an in-depth review of beekeeping and what honey is good for and how to use it. Beautifully illustrated, The Backyard Beekeeper is perfect for the health conscious person who wants to sweeten up their life by saying no to processed sugars and yes, to eating organic, natural healthy food.This book is the complete "honey bee" resource with general information on bees, a how-to guide to the art of bee keeping and how to set up, care for and harvest your own hives, as well as tons of fun facts and projects that are bee related. The second half of the book is the complete guide to honey. It reviews the different types of honey, health effects as well as provides 100s of ideas and recipes for using honey in recipes, cosmetically in facemasks and shampoos, and for medicinal uses.

    Leopold, expert in horticulture, botany, forestry, and ecology No other single volume on native plants has such comprehensive horticultural coverage as Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation. Nearly seven hundred species of native trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses, and wildflowers from the northeastern quarter of the United States and all of eastern Canada are included. Each plant description includes information about cultivation and propagation, ranges, and hardiness. An appendix recommends particular plants for difficult situations, as well as attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife.

    You Grow Girl is a hip, humorous how-to for crafty gals everywhere who are discovering a passion for gardening but lack the know-how to turn their dreams of homegrown tomatoes and fresh-cut flowers into a reality. Gayla Trail, creator of YouGrowGirl.com, provides guidance for both beginning and intermediate gardeners with engaging tips, projects, and recipes -- whether you have access to a small backyard or merely to a fire escape. You Grow Girl eliminates the intimidation factor and reveals how easy and enjoyable it can be to cultivate plants and flowers even when resources and space are limited. Divided into accessible sections like Plan, Plant, and Grow, You Grow Girl takes readers through the entire gardening experience: Preparing soil Nurturing seedlings Fending off crittersReaping the bounty Readying plants for winter Preparing for the seasons ahead Gayla also includes a wealth of ingenious and creative projects, such as: Transforming your garden's harvest into lush bath and beauty products Converting household junk into canny containers Growing and bagging herbal tea Concocting homemade pest repellents ...and much, much more. Witty, wise, and as practical as it is stylish, You Grow Girl is guaranteed to show you how to get your garden on. All you need is a windowsill and a dream!

    But how do you get plants to grow in a spot where trees and shrubs hide the sun? In this stunning volume, garden expert Larry Hodgson shows how to create a lush and lovely garden filled with plants that will flourish in the shade.The first part covers the basics of shade gardening, including planning, planting, and problem-solving. Here readers will find out how to use shade-tolerant grasses and groundcovers for the root-filled areas under trees; discover solutions for dry shade and heavy needle and leaf drop; and learn what to do if a tree should fall and a shade garden is suddenly thrust back in the sun. The second part is devoted to an encyclopedia of shade-loving plants.Complete with expert designs for five different kinds of shaded gardens, Making the Most of Shade is a splendid new gardening title by the popular author of Perennials for Every Purpose, which Susan McClure, author of Easy-Care Perennial Gardens, called "a treasure . . . the next best thing to having a friendly expert whispering in your ear as you plan, plant, and perfect your perennial garden."

    In The Complete How to be a Gardener, Alan Titchmarsh draws on his extensive knowledge and experience to give you a comprehensive guide to becoming a successful gardener.Alan starts with the fundamentals, covering the absolute essentials that every gardener needs to know, including information on how plants work and what they need to survive, as well as where to begin if you're a first-time gardener. Each chapter includes practical advice and step-by-step techniques and projects, as well as information on garden maintenance and a host of Alan's favourite plants to help you in your selection.With its perfect balance of down-to-earth information and inspirational garden ideas, this complete paperback edition of How to be a Gardener gets to the very heart of gardening and provides a comprehensive reference manual for any garden owner.

    Drawing on years of practical experience and research, organic gardening experts Howard Garrett and Malcolm Beck give detailed instructions on how to identify, understand the life cycle of, and control or protect Texas insects, mites, snails, slugs, nematodes, and other critters. They also include striking color photos and black-and-white drawings to help you identify each bug. Garrett and Beck highlight the many useful roles that bugs play in nature and offer proven organic remedies for infestations of pest insects.

    The ideal guide to keep on hand when visiting garden centres and plant nurseries.

    A collection of Edie's essays from Yankee magazine, written about life on the farm she owns in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire.

    In addition to providing a wealth of facts and photos, the book is the first to furnish detailed and up-to-date photo-illustrated information on the host plants favored by particular species. With 234 full-page species accounts and accompanying range maps, plus more than 950 large-size color photos, it is an essential reference work for field observers, gardeners, educators, and conservation managers--or anyone interested in appreciating the lepidopteran world close at hand.The introductory chapters detail the subtle ecology of the East Coast region, establishing a consistent ecological framework that enriches the individual species accounts. There is also an overview of current scientific literature and observational findings to help readers better interpret complex butterfly behaviors in the field, including seasonal movements, host plant and diapause strategies, defensive chemistry, and more.The book is written by Rick Cech, a seasoned field observer who has spent years studying and photographing East Coast butterflies. His substantial first-hand experience with both the common and rare species in the region adds much depth and new insight to the commentary.234 full-page species accounts and accompanying range maps950 large-size color photos215 photos of individual host plants and habitats735 high-quality photos of butterflies and caterpillarsIntroductory chapters detailing the subtle ecology of the East Coast regionAn overview of current scientific literature and observational findingsDescriptions of diapause and host plant strategies and defensive chemistryUser-friendly with clear, concise text

    This valuable reference enables all prairie enthusiasts to quickly and accurately identify hundreds of tallgrass prairie plants. Fully revised and updated to reflect new trends in conservation and plant identification, this remains the classic guidebook for prairie enthusiasts.

    The book focuses on the general principles behind creating successful and beautiful plant combinations in both time and space — working with perennials in the context of trees, shrubs, and the surrounding landscape. The authors suggest looking across, into, and through the landscape. They ask the reader to consider the rhythms and connections in their designs, through such elements as echoes, linkages, and repetitions. More than just theory, Planting Design includes practical discussion of topics such as soil preparation, plant selection, and garden maintenance. Exceptional photographs show growth of a designed landscape over time, opening the gardener to new ways of seeing and thinking about their landscapes.

    Yard Full of Sun: The Story of a Gardeners Obsession That Got a Little Out of Hand is the perfect guide to extreme gardening and shows that a little dedication can go a long way.

    Christopher Lloyd OBE shows how he and Fergus Garrett, Head Gardener at Great Dixter, choose and orchestrate plants for maximum effect.Having covered the principles of succession planting, Lloyd explores the ingredients from anchor plants and permanent perennials to drop-in plants and self-sowers - necessary to ensure continually lively borders.The master of his craft reveals the secrets of keeping every inch of border working hard so that planting schemes are created and maintained in brilliant succession.With superb photographs by Jonathan Buckley, this book will inspire as well as instruct those passionate about their garden.

    The last twenty years have seen a lucky confluence of money and talent lavished on gardening, and the results are surprising, enchanting, sometimes even controversial. The range of possibilities suggested by these thirty-five gardens is extraordinary: from Jacques Wirtz's undulating beech hedges that recede mysteriously into the mist to Penelope Hobhouse's latest interpretation of the traditional English garden, to Martha Schwartz's Texas creation of red, yellow, and pink painted garden rooms. These hidden masterworks of modern gardening are unlocked for us by the authority, experience, and resources of House Garden magazine. Every page is an invitation to explore landscapes that have never before been seen by the public--and may never be seen again. International in scope and lavish in its production, this book is the last word on the state of design in the garden world.

    This scientifically accurate guide will allow them to identify all the major plant-derived foods and flavors, research culinary uses, and understand their dietetic and nutritional properties. Introductory chapters cover the various categories of plant use, including cereals, pulses (legumes), nuts and seeds, fruits, vegetables, culinary herbs, sugar plants, beverages, spices, and flavorings. The core of the volume is an encyclopedic description of more than 350 food and flavor plants in use worldwide, with over 1000 color photographs. This accessible, pictorial guide is a concise source of practical information, not readily available elsewhere, and should be on every food enthusiast's bookshelf.

    Out of print for several years, this newly revised and expanded edition now features descriptions of some 1,800 apple varieties that either originated in the South or were widely grown there before 1928.Author Lee Calhoun is one of the foremost figures in apple conservation in America. This masterwork reflects his knowledge and personal experience over more than thirty years, as he sought out and grew hundreds of classic apples, including both legendary varieties (like Nickajack and Magnum Bonum) and little-known ones (like Buff and Cullasaga). Representing our common orchard heritage, many of these apples are today at risk of disappearing from our national table.Illustrated with more than 170 color images of classic apples from the National Agricultural Library's collection of watercolor paintings, "Old Southern Apples" is a fascinating and beautiful reference and gift book. In addition to A-to-Z descriptions of apple varieties, both extant and extinct, Calhoun provides a brief history of apple culture in the South, and includes practical information on growing apples and on their traditional uses.

    It describes hundreds of species, hybrids, varieties and cultivars, points out the best features of each and includes accurate information on each plant's size, shape and growing zone.

    Water features, oversized and broadleaved plants, expansive use of color, zone-pushing tropicals, architectural emphasis, and elements of classicism and mystery-all combine to create a magical space. The authors describe how you too can achieve this kind of retreat for reflection in your own backyard. From practical advice on how to make a slow-drip natural fountain to tips on building an inexpensive Tuscan-style wall, you will be encouraged to use your imagination and take risks. Stunning photographs perfectly complement the inspiring text.

    The book explores all uses--"medicinal, culinary, cosmetic and domestic--"and features more than 600 recipes for enjoying your bounty.

    Includes over 75 pages of tantalising chicken and egg recipes including soups, basic egg recipes, omelettes, souffles, other main egg dishes, mayonnaise, cakes and desserts.

    The Edwards Plateau, upon which the Hill Country sits, is also a land of lush cypress-lined streams, diverse thickets, and shady hardwood bottomlands. Edged by canyonlands and intersected by creeks, these rocky hills support an abundance of trees, shrubs, and vines that provide food and cover for wildlife and create a distinct and durable landscape.In this book, Jan Wrede has compiled a field guide to more than 125 species of mostly native, mostly woody plants of the Texas Hill Country. A thoughtful introduction discusses deer, cedar, water, oak wilt, and invasive species—timely issues of increasing importance for a growing number of Texas landowners. Plant descriptions contain information about the leaves, flowers, fruit, and bark of each plant and also give insights into the species’ range and habits. A color photograph accompanies each account.Especially useful is a comprehensive plant chart with tips about color, scent, flowering period, height, site preference, and wildlife and livestock utilization. A recommended reading list, a resource guide, and a glossary round out this information-packed book.

    This follow-up to "One Hundred Flowers" features gorgeous color photographs of seashells both familiar and exotic.

    Learn how to design and plant containers in just one hour - Skim chapters 1, 2, and 15 in the book and you will be ready to plant containers like the pros! Plus, learn the latest, cutting-edge designs for difficult areas, like indoors, shade, hot spots, salty-and-windy locations, and areas with little water. The book also describes the top 100 container plants for Florida, based on the authors trials of over 10,000 container plants.

    This is not a book about becoming self-sufficient, but about concentrating time and energy on varieties that are really worth growing. It demonstrates how to plan and plant a plot, recommends the best vegetables to grow and eat, and offers clear instructions on cultivating them with minimum effort and maximum reward.

    Few explore the reasons why gardening becomes central to so many people's lives. In Garden Voices, Carolyn Rapp explores the relationships of women with their gardens, revealing sources of joy that go far beyond the pleasure of harvesting flowers, herbs or vegetables. As the 12 women tell their stories, readers will share the heartache and triumph set within plots of lovingly cultivated land. Everyone who reads Garden Voices will hear a whisper of themselves in the words of these creative, courageous, wise women. This is not just a book for people who love gardens; it's for people who love stories.

    Invasive plants are a growing threat to ecosystems everywhere. Often originating in distant climes, they spread to woodlands, wetlands, prairies, roadsides, and backyards that lack the biological controls that kept these plants in check in their homelands. This guide includes more than 250 color photos that will help identify problem trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, sedges, and herbaceous plants (including aquatic invaders). The text offers further details of plant identification; manual, mechanical, biological, and chemical control techniques; information and advice about herbicides; and suggestions for related ecological restoration and community education efforts. Also included are a glossary, a matrix of existing and potential invasive species in the Upper Midwest, an index with both scientific and common plant names, advice on agencies to contact with questions, and other resources. Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Endangered Resources and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, and other invasive plant experts.

    The author shares her foolproof indoor gardening secrets and offers tips on providing optimum growing conditions for a wide variety of plants. She opens with advice on what to look for when choosing and buying indoor plants. Readers are then instructed on how to determine the best location for each plant within the house, with attention to such factors as light and temperature. They will find extensive information on pots and potting, pruning, fertilizing, plant propagation, and feeding and watering requirements for each variety. Profiled in these pages is a wide range of house plants, including colorful geraniums and cineraria, ambient ferns and palms, and the more exotic orchids and cacti. The Indoor Plant Bible is beautifully illustrated with more than 400 color photos.

    This intriguing book is the result of his research. More than a survey of primitive agriculture, however, the work sensitively investigates the activities of a unique culture. With the help of Buffalobird-woman, a Hidatsa native, Wilson not only created a poignant biographical study and a classic anthropological document but also presented a Native American woman's interpretation of economics, with views about the land she cultivated, frequently sprinkled with shrewd and humorous observations.The text covers a broad spectrum of topics, including methods that will be of lasting value to modern organic gardeners and farmers. Subjects range from useful advice on clearing fields, applying fertilizer, and storing crops for winter to such traditional activities as braiding ears of corn, making squash dolls, and harvesting tobacco blossoms. Of special interest to anyone practicing sustainable agriculture, Native American Gardening will be of value to anthropologists, economic historians, and anyone fascinated by Native American life.

    One of the founding fathers of Impressionist art, Monet's works consistently reflect the artist's profound love of nature. Many of his paintings were directly inspired by the gardens that played such an important role in his life--the garden at his house in S�vres in the 1860s, those at his two homes in Argenteuil in the 1870s, followed by a garden at his estate in Vatheuil. Yet the most famous of Monet's gardens was the expansive park in Giverny, which inspired his masterful handling of light and color for more than thirty years and provided motifs for hundreds of individual paintings and series that remain immensely popular today--among them the masterpieces of his Water-Lilies series. This magnificent volume of full-page color plates is devoted to this central theme in the work of the French artist. It presents landscapes, still lifes, and portraits of people in natural settings from nearly all of Monet's creative periods--from his early Impressionist paintings of the 1870s to the Grandes Dacorations of the early 1900s. Also included are photographs of Monet's gardens, diagrammatic recreations of these spaces (based on the artist's paintings), several bills of delivery and planting instructions from horticulturalists.

    They are relatively unaffected by drought, wind, extremes in temperature, and the unpredictable early and late frosts that define the short prairie growing season.Written especially for gardeners in the northern and central prairies of Canada and the United States, June Flanagan shows that a garden rich in native plants is beautiful in its diversity, relatively low maintenance, conserves water, is environmentally sustainable, and provides a natural habitat for birds, butterflies, and insects - all essential ingredients for a healthy garden.Included in Native Plants for Prairie Gardens advice on how to landscape using native prairie plantstips on how to acquire, grow, and propagate native prairie plantsdetailed plant descriptions of native prairie wildflowers, grasses, trees, and shrubs, illustrated with beautiful full-colour photographsA native prairie plant bloom chartLists of native prairie seed and plant sources, native plant organizations, and public gardens featuring native prairie plants

    Berry fruits have long been used and appreciated in the kitchen, but the aesthetic appeal and practical benefits they bring to the garden landscape are all too often ignored. Whether using strawberry plants for ground cover, enjoying the colorful autumn foliage of blueberry bushes, or training a grapevine to climb a trellis, gardeners will find that berry plants can make highly versatile contributions to a range of environments. Backyard gardeners, as well as small fruit growers and nursery people, will find an abundance of valuable, practical information in this volume, including plant lists and tables, cultivation tips, and color photographs for plant identification.

    Each situation is presented with a variation, for a total of 46 designs. In addition, the book explains how to install and care for the plants, ponds, walls, and fences involved in the landscape designs. Plants that are proven performers in the Midwest are used in the designs and described in full detail. Step-by-step instructions provide the essential knowledge to tackle each project.United States: IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, OH, WICanada: Ontario (southern)

    San Francisco Chronicle garden columnist Katherine Grace Endicott maps out the rewards of reaping what you sow from flowers and fruits to herbs and vegetables throughout Northern California. The unique month-by-month format helps readers find answers when they need them, while detailed information on native and nonnative species and basic planting and pruning techniques make carefree gardening easier than ever. Add to that a completely new and updated source list, and finding just the right plants and seeds is as simple as watching them grow.

    Encouraging experimentation, Stephanie Cohen and Nancy J. Ondra show you how to plan a garden that incorporates unique combinations of plants to achieve stunning effects. With an overview of garden design fundamentals and 20 sample garden plans, Cohen and Ondra will inspire you to play with creative juxtapositions of vibrant hues and subtle textures. Let your imagination run wild as you create your own unique and original garden designs.

    With this book, Christopher Lloyd shows how he chooses and orchestrates plants so that the borders always look their best. Once having covered the principles of succession planting, Lloyd explores the ingredients necessary to ensure continuously lively borders — from anchor plants and permanent perennials to drop-in plants and self-sowers. Packed with fresh ideas and practical advice for every season, Succession Planting contains all the information you need to create brilliantly successful year-round planting schemes.

    Although cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) and common dogwood (C. sanguinea) have been grown in Europe since ancient times, it is only since the age of exploration in the 18th and 19th centuries that dogwoods from the New World and Asia have ascended to the high thrones of gardens, where their aristocracy remains unchallenged today. Given the huge popularity of dogwoods as garden plants, not to mention the hundreds of choice selections and hybrids that have come to prominence in recent decades, it is surprising that there has never been a horticultural book on the genus. Paul Cappiello fills this longstanding gap with this definitive treatment for gardeners and enthusiasts. Providing a solid overview of all dogwoods of horticultural merit, the author provides more than two hundred stunning photos to help with the daunting tasks of identification and plant selection. He provides helpful details on cultivation, combating pests and diseases, and the fundamentals of breeding and selection. Based on years of research, first-hand observation, and interviews with dozens of specialists and nurserypeople, Dogwoods is an unprecedented guide to the diversity of plants available in nurseries today. Written in engaging and informative prose, this book will be treasured by generations of gardeners.

    It will both inspire and educate new and more advanced gardeners alike, offering ideas for enhancing the beauty and enjoyment of their landscapes, as well as taking the mystery out of maintenance.

    See a blue butterfly? Turn to the blue section. Perfect for backyard or field use, this book features full-color photos of each butterfly plus an illustration that points out key identification marks. You'll learn things you've always wondered about butterflies while easily identifying the ones that you see.

    With this book, you’ll know what to do each month to have gardening success all year. Written by authors in your state, the information is tailored to the issues that affect your garden the most.

    Homeowners are realizing the health benefits derived from gardening and the increase in their home's property value. This book contains easy-to-use advice on the top landscape plant choices.   It also recommends specific varieties, and provides advice on how to plant, how to grow and how to care for the best plants.

    This is the book for gardeners who want plants they can plant and forget! Tough Plants for Florida Gardens is written for novice and accomplished Florida gardeners alike, for all gardeners who value their leisure time. They also value the appearance of their home and appreciate the benefits of well-placed landscaping…however; they do not want to devote too much time to keeping it beautiful. Tough Plants for Florida Gardens includes over 180 of the toughest plants for Florida gardens, including annuals, perennials, shrubs and small trees, ornamental vines, and grasses. Each featured plant is noted for its ability to thrive with minimal care. Many of the selections can withstand drought, poor soils, and minimal (or no) pruning, while providing beauty and charm in the Florida landscape. Each selection provides specific information on the plant's use in the landscape, mature size, flowering characteristics (if applicable), varieties, soil preference, and propagation. Each chapter also contains informative essays covering topics such as: companion planting tips, pest avoidance, and handling invasive plants.

    

    Add to this their tolerance of dogs and children, resistance to pests and diseases, interesting foliage, and delightful flowers in a wide range of colours, and it is little surprise that Birgitte developed an insatiable passion for them. In this book, she shares her knowledge of cultivating the plants and highlights the most garden worthy species and varieties.Expert cultivation advice, including comments on soil preferences and hardiness, is followed by fascinating information on pollination, and failsafe propagation secrets. Captivating colour photographs display key characteristics of hardy geraniums including their legendary range of flower colour and intricate, often highly marked, foliage. Here readers may marvel at the many cultivars of Geranium x oxonianum, enjoy favorites like Geranium 'Ann Folkard' with its striking black eye against magenta background, and covet the fine-leaved, blue-flowering Geranium himalayense. Smaller varieties ideal for growing in rockeries, containers and troughs are described along with perfect geraniums for associating with roses of all colours. Birgitte Husted Bendtsen communicates like a true enthusiast and the text is peppered with interesting anecdotes including news of an exciting variety that is prized for its blue flowers and modest stature. With over 400 species and hybrids of hardy geraniums and 450 beautiful colour photographs, this book is both rich in information and beautiful to browse. It is a long-awaited reference that will delight seasoned enthusiasts and introduce a whole new generation of gardeners to the charms of the hardy geranium.

    12,500 first printing.

    Irises are beloved by enthusiasts who garden in a wide variety of zones, including hot and dry, temperate, and even cold northern climates. Irises bloom in every imaginable color—revealed here in more than 1100 captivating photographs—from deepest purples, blues, and reds through strong pinks, yellows, and oranges to pastels in every shade. This wide-ranging collection illustrates the diversity of this beautiful genus and includes irises with striking foliage, reblooming capability, and scents. It features both historic and modern irises of all sizes from miniature and dwarf varieties to the stately tall beardeds. Also included is cultivation advice, information about the plants' breeding history, and ideas for combination plantings in rock gardens, containers, and perennials beds. An indispensable reference for iris fanciers everywhere as well as any gardener who appreciates their beauty and versatility.

    Organised by element, it explores the loggias, patios, and swimming pools that combine with brilliant tropical plants to make for enchanting outdoor living spaces.

    Whether you are an arborist, an urban tree manager, landscaper or serious gardener, this manual is an important reference manual. High quality photos and easy to use format.

    His collection of watercolor and ink illustrations now form one of the most important botanical archives in the world. The Day archive is used daily by scientists and horticulturists at The Royal Collection, Kew, London, but until now, the entire collection has never before been published.

    Inspired by this principle, she devised plans for whimsical gardens that could be created by children and adults alike. Her delightful schemes included "The Garden of Aladdin," an enchanted, sunken orchard fragrant with kumquat, persimmon, and orange trees; "The Fairy Ring," a blue fairyland of forget-me-nots, larkspur, and borage; and "The Sliced Cake," a round, pink-and-white garden divided into wedges—the perfect setting for afternoon tea.Percival's charming illustrations and instructions for fifteen fanciful children's gardens, all selected from her unpublished manuscript in the Huntington Library, are reproduced for the first time in this volume, designed in keeping with her own arts and crafts aesthetic. Described by Percival as "a potpourri of flowery facts and garden lore," The Children's Garden Book shows children that the pleasures of one's own garden may be achieved through planning, patience, dedication, and imagination.

    Revealing the diversity of Australia’s gardening heritage in selections from a wide range of books, pamphlets, plans, paintings, and prints, this magnificent guide celebrates both the aesthetic and practical nature of gardens by showcasing a variety of plants and tracking shifts in environmental concerns.

    But diversity too often has been surrendered to monocultures of fields and spirits, predisposing much of modern agriculture to uniformity and, consequently, vulnerability. Today it is primarily at the individual level—such as growing and saving a strange old bean variety or a curious-looking gourd—that any lasting conservation actually takes place. As scientists grapple with the erosion of genetic diversity of crops and their wild relatives, old-timey farmers and gardeners continue to save, propagate, and pass on folk varieties and heirloom seeds. Virginia Nazarea focuses on the role of these seedsavers in the perpetuation of diversity. She thoughtfully examines the framework of scientific conservation and argues for the merits of everyday conservation—one that is beyond programmatic design. Whether considering small-scale rice and sweet potato farmers in the Philippines or participants in the Southern Seed Legacy and Introduced Germplasm from Vietnam in the American South, she explores roads not necessarily less traveled but certainly less recognized in the conservation of biodiversity.Through characters and stories that offer a wealth of insights about human nature and society, Heirloom Seeds and Their Keepers helps readers more fully understand why biodiversity persists when there are so many pressures for it not to. The key, Nazarea explains, is in the sovereign spaces seedsavers inhabit and create, where memories counter a culture of forgetting and abandonment engendered by modernity. A book about theory as much as practice, it profiles these individuals, who march to their own beat in a world where diversity is increasingly devalued as the predictability of mass production becomes the norm.Heirloom Seeds and Their Keepers offers a much-needed, scientifically researched perspective on the contribution of seedsaving that illustrates its critical significance to the preservation of both cultural knowledge and crop diversity around the world. It opens new conversations between anthropology and biology, and between researchers and practitioners, as it honors conservation as a way of life.

    With detailed accounts of 92 different species, along with information on 631 recommended varieties, hybrids and cultivars perfect for Saskatchewan and Manitoba gardens, this book takes the guesswork out of perennial gardening. The authors' practical, commonsense advice will help bring colour and variety to your garden: * Flower and foliage colors * Height and spread ranges * Blooming periods * How and when to start your plants * Planting strategies * Light, water and nutrient needs * Choosing the best perennials for different growing conditions * Over 450 colour photographs.

    It is no wonder these intriguing plants have gained such a following. Concise descriptions, keys, and elegant illustrations of more than 300 commonly grown species and their most popular cultivars, are included. Additional chapters cover their cultural history, cultivation, natural history, and distribution.

    For the more experienced grower, the book includes advice on how to enhance the productivity of the plants and ensure success with every attempt. With focus on creating a small grow area that will produce without problems, this book will be an invaluable resource for those with little familiarity with the process of raising marijuana plants. Through selecting seeds and choosing a grow spot to maximizing security and actually raising plants, S. T. Oner writes in a manner that is easy to follow and helpfully instructive at the same time. Protection from pests as well as the elements, how best to harvest and how the more advanced grower can move forward in their career are all covered, as are the basics of cooking with the harvested bud.

    A surprising number of terrestrial orchids are hardy, some able to withstand temperatures down to minus 50°F or minus 45.5°C. Though they have a reputation for being challenging to cultivate, in truth, most hardy orchids are no more so than a rose. This is great news for gardeners, who will enjoy filling their gardens with their enchanting fragrances, vibrant color displays, and long-lived blooms. At the center of the book is a catalog of 103 hardy and half-hardy orchids. In addition to detailing the techniques of cultivation and propagation, the book covers conservation and includes lists of suppliers and organizations offering nursery-propagated plants — an especially critical issue for species in danger of extinction.

    There have been vacant-lot gardens, school gardens, Depression-era relief gardens, victory gardens, and community gardens—each representing a consistent impulse to return to gardening during times of social and economic change. In this critical history of community gardening in America, the most comprehensive review of the greening of urban communities to date, Laura J. Lawson documents the evolution of urban garden programs in the United States. Her vibrant narrative focuses on the values associated with gardening, the ebb and flow of campaigns during times of social and economic crisis, organizational strategies of these primarily volunteer campaigns, and the sustainability of current programs.

    As gardening continues to grow in popularity, gardeners want more resources to help them succeed. The Gardener's Guide series provides credible information on the plants that perform best in specific states. Gardeners will find information they can trust and use successfully in their own gardens.

    Within these handsomely illustrated pages is Beales’s unequalled advice on landscaping with roses as well as care and cultivation―all based upon his decades of experience breeding and selling the world’s finest roses. There is a rose for every budget and every garden style, and this is the ideal book to use in selecting the perfect rose. Roses come in every size from miniatures just right for containers to the expansive climbing roses. The first part of the book explains the six different major groups of roses and profiles the best cultivars in each category. Peter Beales describes the best landscape uses for each rose, details their pros and cons, and describes their care. Interwoven throughout are his charming yet fascinating personal observations and reminiscences recalling experiences with roses, notable gardeners, and important breeders. The last section of the book is an encyclopedic directory of roses that includes full color close-up pictures of each rose in full bloom, detailed descriptions, planting suggestions, hardiness factors, and information on care, cultivation, pests, and diseases. This sumptuously illustrated volume by Peter Beales will be the definitive guide to gardening with roses for years to come.

    Over 2,250 plants, more than 1,800 color photographs, hundreds of top tips for gardeners. Seasonal calenders and cultivation guidelines.

    Based on detailed research and observation at one of the largest and oldest collections of Asian plants in North America, the subjects of this book were chosen for their superior garden qualities, their rarity in everyday horticulture, and their commercial availability. From an extraordinary, nearly black geranium with reflexed petals, to a ground-creeping honeysuckle with bicolored flowers and blue berries, gardeners are sure to find something new and exciting in these pages. Although plants included are from the "cutting edge" of plant exploration and discovery, the authors have included only those selections that have undergone thorough evaluation at the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden for hardiness and garden appeal. In addition, the authors have taken special care to exclude potentially invasive plants, allowing readers to be confident that any selection from the book will be an environmentally responsible one. With many of its plants appearing in a garden book for the first time, The Jade Garden is certain to be a groundbreaking horticultural event.

    A section on basic techniques includes growing plants from cuttings or seeds, air-layering, grafting, watering, xeriscaping, transplanting, fertilizing, pruning, and water gardening. Sections on ground covers, grasses and sedges, shrubs, vines, trees, and ferns explain the care and use of individual plants and describe each plant's importance in Hawaiian culture. Photos illustrate the features of the plants and their use in the landscape

    Many of industrial agriculture's fundamental principles for fighting disease, in particular the reliance on pesticides and fertilizers, are explained and convincingly challenged and a new set of guiding principles for an ecological agricultural system are presented as a genuine alternative to the widespread use of chemicals.

    This book will inspire amateur gardeners and enthusiasts to undertake more in-depth garden projects utilizing ferns, from including them in a mixed border, creating a natural dry-stone habitat, and bringing the Antipodean rainforest to the doorstep. Beautiful artistic impressions of the completed projects and a selection of stunning photographs provide a fascinating insight into what can be achieved by correct planting. The comprehensive A-Z listing of ferns, presented by botanical names, contains further information on selecting the right plant for anyone's garden scheme.

    Featuring factsheets on plants, animals, pet 'roadtests' (feat. birds, cats, horses, dogs and unusual animals), food, health, nutrition and DIY projects all designed for Australian conditions.

    Striking color photographyBoth Latin and common names always listedClear, easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for key tasksIndispensable charts detailing flowering and growth patterns, color, and essential notesComprehensive information on flowering, foliage, architectural, and other container plantsUseful hints and tips from the experts

    Full-color botanical paintings highlight a charming collection of gardening lore, in a volume that contains 75 profiles of unique and beautiful vegetables and fruit for the garden, including the Asparagus Bean, Green Zebra Tomato, True Lemon Cucumber, Turkish Orange Eggplant, and others.

    In revealing what works in her own famous garden, Beth Chatto passes on a wealth of advice gleaned from her many years of personal experience battling against the elements. She provides detailed and inspired ideas on garden management, plans for every type of soil and situation and descriptions of over 1000 suitable plants for making the most of damp ground. Fully revised and updated with beautiful photographs by Steven Wooster, this illustrated edition will become a regular reference tool for all water gardeners.'

    An invaluable A-Z Directory of Ornamental Plants looks at the pruning requirements of wide range of species on a plant by plant basis.

    Rose Companions will give gardeners of all levels the information they need to create a beautiful landscape, whether they already have an established garden and want to add roses and other plants to it, or if they are growing roses and want to enhance them with companion plants, or if they are starting from scratch and have always dreamed of a garden lush with flowers-including roses.

    Complete, detailed and illustrated instruction on how to care and successfully grow over 2,000 varieties of plants; Explains planting times and techniques, soil preferences, propagation methods, and needs for fertiliser, moisture and pruning; Helps home gardeners to select superior, care-free varieties of each plant listed to design new landscapes and revitalise established gardens; Provides complete details, helpful hints and technical tips to make growing any plant easier and better; Illustrated with 2,300+ photographs.

    An easy-to-use reference for novice and expert gardener alike, one plant per page is described with features, conditions preferred, growing method, covering sowing, feeding and pruning, harvesting and uses, whether culinary, medicinal, cosmetic or for crafts. With flowers and ideas for all-year-round gardening, the is exception value.

    Shrugging off several degrees of frost and a heavy weight of snow, their distinctive flowers held on bare branches cannot fail to light up a garden in the depths of winter. Yet, despite their attributes, only a small number are widely grown outside the gardens of enthusiasts. This book promises to change all that by turning the spotlight on these magical shrubs, highlighting their diversity and providing practical, comparative information that will thrill enthusiast and newcomer alike. The book starts with an introduction to the genus followed by detailed descriptions of the four species and their hybrids. These will be of immense value to gardeners as they consider distinguishing features and work out which will perform best for them. The book further aids identification by noting how local conditions can significantly affect plant characteristics including rate of growth, size of plant, leaf retention, and flower color. Cultural requirements and hardiness tolerance are clearly outlined, further ensuring success in the garden. This is the first attempt to authenticate and describe all known selections, varieties, and species in one text. It will be an invaluable resource for gardeners and collectors for years to come.