Peonies
Al Rogers has been growing peonies since childhood, and this book represents more than 60 years' experience. Peonies are treasured by gardeners for their longevity, lush foliage, rich fragrance, and landscape uses. Captured within these pages are not only the flavor, charm, and history of the peony and its hybridizers but also expert information about the genus Paeonia and its many cultivars. The species are discussed, and from the thousand-odd listed cultivars of both tree and herbaceous peonies, Rogers singles out the truly superior for recommendation, along with some introductions that show great promise. This book is only available through print on demand. All interior art is black and white.
The Orchid in Lore and Legend
The orchid is the most evocative of flowers, inspiring in some of its admirers a fanaticism akin to madness, as demonstrated in Susan Orlean's popular novel The Orchid Thief. This elegant survey of the orchid treats its place in legend and suggests the impact that these exotic plants had on the temperate European mind. Berliocchi chronicles the adventurers and scientists who introduced these marvels, discusses their place in the arts from literature and magic to cuisine, and concludes with accounts of the most important genera and their cultivation. Splendidly illustrated with period engravings and botanical paintings, it is literate and delightful. This book is only available through print on demand. All interior art is black and white.
Growing and Propagating Wild Flowers
This book, the most complete and expert treatment of wild flower propagation and cultivation to date, offers a sure approach to gardening with native plants while practicing good conservation. Based on ten years of pioneering research at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, Growing and Propagating Wild Flowers features practical, easy-to-follow methods for raising native plants from seeds, cuttings, and divisions specific instructions on the propagation and cultivation of plants representing nearly 100 genera of wild flowers, carnivorous plants, and ferns more than 250 illustrations, including 32 color photographs and 3 sample design plans for a perennial border For each species treated, the author includes descriptions of growth habits, flowers, fruits and seeds outstanding ornamental characteristics, flowering and fruiting times detailed directions on the collection, cleaning, storage, and germination of seed information on cultivation and use in the home landscape notes on related species and their propagation The native plants cited as examples are found primarily in the eastern United States. The propagation and handling techniques, however, will be useful throughout the temperate areas of the country.
Garden Perennials for the Coastal South
Finally: a book that addresses the unique challenges of gardening in the coastal South.Master Gardener Barbara Sullivan provides an authoritative guide for gardeners from Tidewater Virginia to Florida and all along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas, an area taking in USDA Zones 7b, 8, 9, and 10. Combining helpful gardening advice with an A-to-Z plant guide that describes more than 1,000 plant varieties and cultivars, Garden Perennials for the Coastal South will become an essential reference for both experienced and novice gardeners in this region.The book is organized to allow planning a year-round garden or focusing on a particular season. Sections separate subtropical plants, vines, herbs, groundcovers, ferns, heat- and drought-tolerant plants, shade plants, bulbs, ornamental grasses, and annuals, as well as address disease-resistant roses for the region.More than 200 color photographs illustrate individual plants and provide examples of beautiful landscape design. Rounding out the book's usefulness is information on the basics of landscaping, soil preparation, plant care, propagation, diseases, and pests. Whether you are new to the coastal South or a lifelong resident, you will find Garden Perennials for the Coastal South an indispensable addition to your gardening bookshelf.
The Lone Star Gardener’s Book of Lists
An indispensable resource to all manner of flowers, fruits, vegetables, trees, and grasses, this collection of lists provide expert-tested recommendations for the plants best suited to Texas's unusual extremes. The gardening guidance provided applies to the entire state, including plants adapted to the wide diversity of climates and soil types.
Gardening With the Native Plants of Tennessee
"An invaluable resource for the home or commercial gardener who wishes to plant native species."--Edward W. Chester, Austin Peay State University The natural landscape of Tennessee represents a unique treasure for gardeners and nature lovers. Encompassing several geographically distinctive regions, from the 6,000-foot peaks of the Unaka Mountains to the swampy floodplain of the Mississippi River, the state boasts nearly 3,000 native plant species. This stunning diversity of life owes much to Tennessee's prime location at the crossroads of mountain and prairie ecosystems and in the transition area between northern and southern climate patterns. In Gardening with the Native Plants of Tennessee, Margie Hunter gives gardeners the knowledge they need in order to nurture this natural heritage in their own gardens. Beginning with a survey of the state's ecology--including geology, geography, plant life and animal species--Hunter takes a holistic approach to the process of gardening with native plants. The book's main section provides detailed accounts of 450 species of wildflowers, ferns, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees native to Tennessee and adjacent states. These descriptions, arranged according to plant type, include both scientific and common name, flowering and fruiting times, propagation methods, soil and light requirements, and distribution patterns within the state. Nearly 400 color photographs illustrate the species discussions. No other book designed for the home gardener includes such area-specific information on native species or such a comprehensive listing of plants. Appendixes refer readers to other sources of information and seeds, including mail-order nurseries, botanical gardens, state agencies, native plant organizations, and subject-specific conferences. A detailed bibliography also contributes to the reference value of this book for gardeners, landscapers, and nature lovers throughout Tennessee and in neighboring states. The Author: Margie Hunter, a long-time volunteer at Cheekwood Botanical Garden, lives in Nashville.
Making Bead Flowers and Bouquets
With this easy-to-follow guide to traditional bead making, crafters can create their own glittering bouquets of lasting beauty. Clear, practical instructions and a profusion of illustrations show aspiring beadworkers how to fashion more than 50 botanically accurate specimens.An introductory chapter describes necessary materials, tools, and methods of stringing beads. Special sections offer suggestions for arranging bouquets and centerpieces as well as instructions for creating holiday ornaments and table decorations.
The New York/Mid-Atlantic Gardener’s Book of Lists
This book compiles vital information for gardeners in the unique climates of New York and the Mid-Atlantic area. This indispensible guide includes valuable expert advice, a list of hot and cold tolerance zones for each plant, web sites for information from state universities in the region, and a listing of botanical gardens and arboreta in which to view the listed plants.
Gardening in the Desert
Newcomers to the Southwest usually find that their favorite landscape plants aren't suited to the hot, dry climate. Many authors offer advice on adapting plants to the desert; now Mary Irish tells how gardeners can better adapt themselves to the challenge. Drawing on her experience with public horticulture in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Irish explores the vexations and delights of desert gardening. She offers practical advice on plants and gardening practices for anyone who lives in the Southwest, from El Paso to Palm Springs, Tucson to Las Vegas. Irish encourages readers who may be new to the desert-or desert dwellers who may be new to gardening-to stop struggling against heat, aridity, and poor soils and instead learn to use and appreciate the wonderful and well-adapted plants native to the desert. She shares information and anecdotes about trees, shrubs, perennials, agaves, cacti, and other plants that make gardening in the Southwest a unique experience, and provides further information about plants from other desert regions that will easily adapt to the Southwest. In addition to descriptions of plants, Irish also offers tips on planting, watering, pruning, and propagation. For anyone who has struggled to maintain a patch of green or blanched at their water bill after unproductive irrigation, the answer to an attractive landscape may be as close as the desert around you. And for anyone who has bought a catalog guide to desert plants and not known which to choose, this book can set you on the right path. Mary Irish shows how to take heart in available plants of adaptable beauty in a book to enjoy while waiting for the next planting cycle.
The Neat House Gardens
Market gardening is the Cinderella of garden history, yet was an important source of food for many in England and deserves greater study. This book gives an outline of market gardening around London before 1800, and considers the role of commercial vegetable production in stimulating kitchen gardening generally, and its influence on the wider agricultural scene. As focus to its theme, it narrates the story of one small area of early market gardening, the Neat House Gardens in Westminster; drawing on MSS from the Grosvenor estate for new and arresting information.
Opium Poppy Garden
A complete guide to cultivating and harvesting the beautiful opium poppy. The opium poppy is a potent plant that has been cultivated and used for thousands of years to alleviate suffering. The use of plant substances as alternatives to synthetic medicines is resurging due to their beneficial properties and less-toxic side effects. For example, many cancer and HIV sufferers are growing opium for personal use. Opium Poppy Garden is the only book available that describes the cultivation, harvest and pharmacology of opium in a format that combines literary and instructional writing. The heart of the book is the tale of Ch'ien, a young Chinese man who travels from Costa Rica to Columbia to grow an opium garden in the manner his Taoist grandfather taught him. The story, in conjunction with "The Cultivator's Diary" and the technical appendix, provide the reader with a working knowledge of this plant.
Neil Sperry’s Complete Guide to Texas Gardening
#4 on Publishers Weekly's Bestselling Gardening Books list! This new, completely revised edition has over 500 new photographs, 400 new illustrations, 400 new plants and trees, the latest pest control recommendations, fruit and vegetable recommendations, new tips and plants specifically for Southern Texas, plus everything in the first edition.
