Healthy soil is teeming with life — not just earthworms and insects, but a staggering multitude of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. When we use chemical fertilizers, we injure the microbial life that sustains healthy plants, and thus become increasingly dependent on an arsenal of artificial substances, many of them toxic to humans as well as other forms of life. But there is an alternative to this vicious circle: to garden in a way that strengthens, rather than destroys, the soil food web — the complex world of soil-dwelling organisms whose interactions create a nurturing environment for plants. By eschewing jargon and overly technical language, the authors make the benefits of cultivating the soil food web available to a wide audience, from devotees of organic gardening techniques to weekend gardeners who simply want to grow healthy, vigorous plants without resorting to chemicals.

    Over 1100 colour photos illustrate every detail - and numerous simple cultivation solutions make for easy appeal to novice growers.

    Now, in this expanded edition, there's even more to learn from and enjoy. This is the first, and still the most thorough, book to detail essential practices of perennial care such as deadheading, pinching, cutting back, thinning, disbudding, and deadleafing, all of which are thoroughly explained and illustrated. More than 200 new color photographs have been added to this revised edition, showing perennials in various border situations and providing images for each of the entries in the A-to-Z encyclopedia of important perennial species. In addition, there is a new 32-page journal section, in which you can enter details, notes, and observations about the requirements and performance of perennials in your own garden. Thousands of readers have commented that The Well-Tended Perennial Garden is one of the most useful and frequently consulted books in their gardening libraries. This new, expanded edition promises to be an even more effective ally in your quest to create a beautiful, healthy, well-maintained perennial garden.

    This volume contains over 1250 photographs of mushrooms and fungi, often showing the specimens in various stages of growth, and including all the latest botanical and common names as well as current ecological information on endangered species.

    Growing Carnivorous Plants is a comprehensive guide to identifying and cultivating these remarkable plants. From the well-known Venus flytrap to obscure African sundews, from the giant pitcher plant vines of Borneo the microscopic bladderworts of Florida, more than 200 species, hybrids and cultivars from all genera of carnivorous plants are described. Included are explanations of the fascinating and diverse mechanisms the plants use to trap their victims. Imitating a plant's natural environment is the key to success in growing carnivorous plants, and this book will help readers select the best plants to grow on a windowsill, in a terrarium or greenhouse. Information on how to feed carnivorous plants will enable even the most squeamish grower to ensure that plants receive the nutrients they require. The book's 400 photographs include both spectacular images from the wild and lovely plants in cultivation.

    It includes the vast numbers of new perennials made available in the last ten years and gives advice on how to choose the right ones for your garden.

    The best way to weed out the invaders is with this fiendishly clever guide to native plants that can seek and destroy the top 100 most unwelcome perennials, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees. While replacing the invaders, the beautiful, hardy native plants described here also attract native birds and butterflies, while turning away their own enemy invaders. Word-and-picture guides provide tips on care and maintenance, while helpful at a glance boxes depict shapes, sizes, best locations, and most attractive features of each native alternative.

    Includes: habitat, heigt and spread plant features and flower colors information on soil, light and water tips on how to best use the plant in your garden recommended species for Minnesota and Wisconsin gardens

    This handy guide includes ideas for mixing and matching plants to provide year round color and interest. Organized by season, situation, soil type and color, the book makes it easy to find information in a variety of ways. Special panels throughout the book focus on practical tips, design ideas, cultivation methods and more.

    Discusses exotics and native species, familiar plants and dozens of rare and obscure plants.

    Whatever draws you to native plants, you'll find no better or more authoritative guide than Allan Armitage. Widely acknowledged as one of the world's foremost horticulturists, Armitage describes more than 630 species and cultivars of perennials, biennials, and annuals that are native to the United States, bringing to each plant a wealth of practical knowledge and the full weight of his experience and expertise. Each entry includes a general description of the plant plus essential data you need to grow it successfully, including habitat, hardiness, correct garden site, maintenance, and propagation — all in a clear, easy-to-use format. Whether you are a native plant enthusiast or simply wish to use plants that work in the landscape, you'll find everything you are looking for in this readable, information-packed volume.

    Its species range from Canada south through southern Mexico and from coast to coast, and there are forms from ground-hugging mats through shrubs to trees. A complete horticultural and botanical treatment of the genus aimed at both gardeners and botanists, this book finally gives Ceanothus — with so many plants that tolerate sun and shade, thrive in arid conditions, and bear a profusion of beautiful, fragrant flowers — the recognition it deserves.

    Horticultural Therapy Methods: Making Connections in Health Care, Human Service, and Community Programs details the basics of the growing, time-proven practice of therapy through gardening. Experienced practitioners and educators discuss horticultural therapy theory, application, and the impressive positive impact it has on clients. Beginners are educated on key issues and given the tools needed to effectively treat clients.Horticultural therapy uses widely accepted treatment methods in a calming, creative program framework. Horticultural Therapy Methods challenges pre-conceived notions of the value of this treatment by describing the processes, techniques for practice, and the rationale for their use. This manual not only can be used as a reference and a guide for students but can also be used by educators and those conducting horticultural therapy to help construct effective treatment programs. Health care and human service professionals will find this resource a powerful ally in the therapy, treatment, and education of inmates, residents, patients, trainees, and students. Horticultural Therapy Methods is a clear helpful manual that explains: the types of programs, settings, and goalsthe process of treatment planningdeveloping sessions--including activity or task selections to meet treatment objectivesmotivation and behavior management techniquesdocumentation guidelinesthree types of HT programsresources for HT activity ideaspractical approaches for mental healthHorticultural Therapy Methods is a valuable addition to the literature and is crucial for all levels of horticultural therapists, occupational therapists, therapeutic recreational specialists, social workers, special educators, community horticulture leaders, horticulturists, mental health professionals of all types, and students.

    Each entry includes a brief history, detailed description, and authoritative information on propagation, as well as helpful advice about harvesting times and methods, cultivation and location needs, pruning, pests and diseases, nutrition and health benefits, and medicinal uses. An extensive, annotated list of cultivars will help gardeners and growers select the most appropriate plants for their location and needs. Suitable for home gardeners, horticulture professionals, orchardists, and nutritionists.

    From rescuing tired tomato plants to keeping lawn weeds at bay, these tricks will have you working magic in your garden--with less effort, less time, and less money! Other hints show you how to select work-saving tools, create invisible stakes, use sawdust and seaweed mulches, and keep the dog from digging up your new flowerbed.

    This second edition has been fully updated and reorganised to recognise recent taxonomic changes and includes many new species and photographs, an expanded illustrated glossary and a completely new section using flower colour and shape as an aid to plant identification.

    Along the way, she offers a wealth of practical information and shows off more than 200 species designed by nature to flourish in dry shade. With an unrivalled knowledge of how to make things grow even in adverse conditions, plus an artist''s eye for color, form, and shape, Chatto helps anyone meet the challenge of turning inhospitable spaces into truly magnificent gardens.

    Focusing on gardens that are open to visitors, she explains the historical trends and the work of garden makers of the past that have shaped the English gardens we see today. With a wealth of outstanding examples, illustrated with 350 photographs, she describes many garden styles – formality, the landscape tradition, the Arts and Crafts style, the cottage garden and recent phenomena such as New Naturalism. Color, water, ornament and foreign influences are among the themes she considers, as well as such defining characteristics as the very English urge to grow flowers and the nation's love of roses.

    A highly respected horticulturalist and practitioner who is also a gifted writer, Smith shares his years of experience growing native California plants in this lively, informative book. Rather than being a systematic “how-to” manual, Native Treasures combines Smith’s personal thoughts, sometimes maverick opinions, and matchless expertise with practical advice on selected groups of native plants and their culture. The author explains how California’s diverse terrain, climate, and geology support a wealth of plant species—more than 6000—and offers suggestions for designing with most of the major natives in cultivation, as well as with some more obscure but garden-worthy groups. With an engaging narrative and a wealth of illustrations, this ode to beauty and diversity celebrates California’s rich store of native plants and encourages readers to visit them in their native haunts and invite them into their gardens.* Describes the use of plants in varying landscapes and gardens* State of the art propagation techniques* Beautifully illustrated with color photos and line drawings