Learn how to make and use nourishing compost for your garden with this handy little guidebook from an experienced National Trust head gardener. It's packed with useful tips for successful composting, from deciding what to put in your kitchen compost caddy to how to use the final product in your garden. The author discusses the various composting set-ups you can choose, from simple plastic cone-shaped 'Dalek' bins to ingenious hand-rotated barrels and elaborate solar-powered hot composting systems, and gives full instructions to make a professional-looking three-bay compost heap from old pallets. Also covered are unusual and innovative techniques such as keyhole gardening and lasagne planting, and there's a guide to wormeries and, for the very adventurous, snaileries. He also reveals the many uses to which compost can be put in your garden, and not just to grow plants in - as a top dressing to keep your lawn looking fresh and green, as mulch for your flower beds, or, in liquid form, as a powerfully nutritious plant feed. And there's a handy guide to which bits of kitchen waste you can put into your compost, and which you really shouldn't. Finally, if you've always wanted an exceptionally environmentally friendly composting toilet, instructions are here. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this practical guide contains all the advice you'll ever need to get your compost going and use it to help your garden thrive.

Gardeners, with all good fortune and flora, are endowed with love for a hobby that has profound potential for positive change. The beautifully illustrated "Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East" approaches landscape design from an ecological perspective, encouraging professional horticulturalists and backyard enthusiasts alike to intensify their use of indigenous or native plants. These plants, ones that grow naturally in the same place in which they evolved, form the basis of the food web. Wildlife simply cannot continue to survive without them-nor can we.

Why indigenous plants, you may ask? What makes them so special to butterflies and bees and boys and girls? For Carolyn Summers, the answer is as natural as an ephemeral spring wildflower or berries of the gray dogwood, "As I studied indigenous plants, a strange thing happened. The plants grew on me. I began to love the plants themselves for their own unique qualities, quite apart from their usefulness in providing food and shelter for wildlife."

Emphasizing the importance of indigenous plant gardening and landscape design, Summers provides guidelines for skilled sowers and budding bloomers.

She highlights . . .

"The best ways to use exotic and nonindigenous plants responsibly

"Easy-to-follow strategies for hosting wildlife in fields, forests, and gardens

"Designs for traditional gardens using native trees, shrubs, groundcovers as substitutes for exotic plants

"Examples of flourishing plant communities from freshwater streams to open meadows

"How to control plant reproduction, choose cultivars, open-pollinated indigenous plants, and different types of hybrids, and practice "safe sex in the garden"

From Maine to Kentucky and up and down the East Coast, "Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East" lays the "gardenwork" for protecting natural areas through the thoughtful planting of indigenous plants. Finally we can bask in the knowledge that it is possible to have loads of fun at the same time we are growing a better world.

We may be familiar with the gardens designers have created for their clients, but what happens in their own backyards? This fascinating book takes a peek at the gardens of some of the world's most influential designers, investigating how they differ from their commissioned work, the design process, and how they reflect their owner's design philosophy. Private gardens are often places for experimentation, either with untried plants, novel construction techniques or innovative ways of handling space. Some designers use their gardens as 'gallery spaces' - perfect representations of the heart and soul of their work. Others may be radically different to a designer's commissioned projects. That private gardens are the site for experimentation, suggests that a peek through the garden gate will be a privileged look into the future. Designers are under less pressure in their own gardens and they are inevitably more personal. The mask is sure to slip a little. We hope to see something of the personality of the designer revealed, and perhaps a sense of what they wish their clients would agree to, but don't always dare... As well as discussing their influences and design ethos, each designer will provide a garden plan, garden history timeline and key plant list, as well as one great, under-utilised idea. The international list of designers includes Piet Oudolf (Netherlands), Ulf Nordfjell (Sweden), Isabelle Greene (USA), Juan Grimm (Chile), and Tom Stuart-Smith (UK)

Cut, place and embellish. With the easy 3-step technique and design guidelines in Easy Ikebana, making an extraordinary flower arrangement is that simple! You don't need exotic flowers or expensive vases to create a stunning floral arrangement. Even a single flower from your garden or local market, combined with a simple container that matches its size and shape, will result in a uniquely beautiful addition to your space. Water, a pair of scissors, and maybe a few leaves, sprigs, or wildflowers are the only other items you'll need to complete your arrangement. With Easy Ikebana, even the most inexperienced beginner will: Become familiar with different types of seasonal flowers, what they require and how to handle them Develop a sense of proportion to create a balanced arrangement Learn how to choose and use greenery in your arrangements, whether you're placing one flower or several Pick up tips for making cut flowers last longer Discover ways to make a strong statement using very few components These arrangements show how striking understatement can be-not to mention how affordable. The gentle lessons in this book will make flower-arranging a relaxing and satisfying activity season after season, and the stunning photos will inspire practitioners at all levels with the beauty and power of simplicity-the heart of ikebana.

In this classic 1960s gardening book, Margery Fish's advice and enthusiasm for horticulture has stood the test of time and remains a go-to book for green-thumbed gardeners today. She guides the reader through techniques for creating and maintaining a cottage garden with humour and ease, perfect for both beginners and experienced gardeners. In her imaginative adaption of the traditional cottage garden style that she saw disappearing around her, she brought together old-fashioned plants and contemporary plants in the same vein. Today's mixed borders are a direct descendant of the style Margery Fish created at East Lambrook Manor in Somerset, now once again open to the public. Cottage Garden Flowers covers plants that grow easily and naturally in British soil, including easy, adaptable bulbs, perennials and shrubs, such as Astrantia, columbines, daffodils, daisies, Dianthus, foxgloves, hollyhocks, Japonica, old roses, Phlox, Primula, or Virburnum. No longer in danger of being forgotten, these traditional flowering plants have now res-established their place at the heart of garden design. Graham Rice, the widely published gardening author and the former London Evening Standard gardening correspondent, has reviewed the plant names in the original text, providing a plant name section at the back of the book. This allows readers to identify current plants from the old Latin names within the text.

Think you don't have enough room to green up your act? Not everyone has access to outside space or what we traditionally think of as a garden, but we all have window ledges, doorways, stairways and unloved spots. My Tiny Garden is bursting with exciting ideas and savvy solutions to help you transform any neglected nook into a plant paradise. With mini meadows, blooming balconies and plant-packed pavements, we've unearthed over 25 amazing unconventional green spaces. Meet the friends who developed a living wall inside their LA office, the London firefighter who rescued a neglected roof terrace, and the Berlin-based photographer who found a picture-perfect community garden at an abandoned airport. You'll pick up all the best tips and tricks as each gardener shares their small-scale expertise, from pots on wheels to vertical planters. Packed with practical advice and design ideas, the latest title in Pavilion's exciting gardening series also provides pointers on key aspects of cultivation - from planting suggestions through to after-planting maintenance and the lowdown on which plants will prosper in which place. Plus, practical projects including an aquatic terrarium, an alpine wall planter and a desktop garden will help you make the most of every inch. Whether you're looking to create a tropical oasis, a flower-filled patch, or a wildlife wonderland, get inspired, let your imagination grow and enjoy your tiny garden.

Not everyone has access to outside space or what we traditionally think of as a garden, but we all have window ledges, shelves, stairways and unloved spots in our homes. My Tiny Indoor Garden is bursting with exciting ideas and savvy solutions to help you transform any indoor nook or cranny into a peaceful plant paradise. Whether you're looking for a mini kitchen garden or a sun-loving terrarium, we've unearthed an amazing collection of indoor and covered spaces. Among the 20 gardens featured in the book you'll find a jungle in a south London sitting room, a colourful cacti collection and a conservatory come orchid house. You'll pick up all the best tips and tricks as each indoor gardener shares their small-scale expertise, from using an array of bottles and jars to create a display of tiny botanical treasures to turning an antique chair into a lavish plant pot. Packed with practical advice, this exciting gardening series also provides pointers on key aspects of green interiors - from caring for leaves to propagating succulents. In addition, practical projects will help you make the most of every inch, whether you decide to master the art of kokedama or create your own terrarium. Blur the line between your indoor space and the great outdoors, get inspired, let your imagination grow and enjoy your tiny indoor garden.

Are you excited about permaculture but unclear how to put it into practice for yourself? In this unique, full colour guide, experienced permaculture teacher Aranya leads you through the design process from beginning to end, using clear explanations, flowcharts and diagrams. It is based on course worksheets which have been designed, refined and tested on students over time. Linking theory to practice, he places the ethics, principles, philosophies, tools and techniques directly into the context of the process itself. While written for anyone with a basic grasp of permaculture, this book also has plenty to offer the more experienced designer. This guide covers: Systems and patterns ~ Working as part of a design team ~ Land and non-land based design ~ Design frameworks ~ Site surveying and map making ~ Interviewing clients ~ Working with large client groups ~ Identifying functions ~ Choosing systems and elements ~ Placement and integration ~ Creating a design proposal ~ Project management ~ Presenting your ideas to clients ~ and much more. A great reference for anyone who has done, or is thinking of doing, any kind of permaculture course.

Capability Brown was a man made for his time. Read about his life and work in this absorbing biography.

All kinds of garden plants – shrubs, climbers, roses, hedges and trees – need pruning to improve their shape and condition, and to encourage more flowers and fruits.

Whether you are starting a new garden, maintaining established plants or renovating a neglected garden, this essential guide to pruning will come to your assistance time and again.

Learn how to create the perfect container garden with this handy little guidebook from an experienced National Trust head gardener. It's packed with nifty tips and advice for gardening in containers, even if your outdoor space is as small as a few pots on a balcony or doorstep, to ensure stunning floral displays and abundant fruit and vegetable crops. The author discusses how to choose the best pot for the job, and how to position pots to harness the sun's rays or provide shade to suit particular plants. He goes on to cover how to work with colour and create height and width in your container garden, and the best ways to ensure successful drainage, feeding and watering. The book ends with a useful directory of the sorts of flowers and vegetables that thrive in pots, including some you might not have thought of. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this practical guide contains everything you need to create an exquisite display of pots in your garden.

Zen Buddhist priest Shunmyo Masuno understands that today's busy world leaves little time or space for self-reflection, but that a garden-even in the most urban of spaces-can provide some respite. In his words, "The garden is a special spiritual place where the mind dwells." With this in mind, Masuno has designed scores of spectacular Japanese gardens and landscapes with the aim of helping people achieve a balanced life in the 21st century. This book explores Masuno's design process and ideas, which are integral to his daily Zen training and teachings. It features 15 unique gardens and contemplative landscapes completed in six countries over as many years-all thoughtfully described and documented in full-color photos and drawings. Readers will also find insights on Masuno's philosophy of garden design and a conversation between the designer and famed architect Terunobu Fujimori. Zen Garden Design provides an in-depth examination of Masuno's gardens and landscapes-not just as beautiful spaces, but as places for meditation and contemplation.

Over nearly six decades of practice, Robert Royston (1918-2008) shaped the postwar Bay Area landscape with visionary designs for public spaces. Early in his career, Royston conceived of the "landscape matrix," a system of interconnected parks, plazas, and parkways that he hoped could bring order and amenity to rapidly developing suburbs. The idea would inform his work on more than two thousand projects as diverse as school grounds, new towns, transit corridors, and housing tracts. As an apprentice of Thomas Church, Royston gained experience with residential gardens that influenced his early designs for public parks. At a time when neighborhood parks were typically limited to playing fields and stock playground equipment, Royston created imaginative facilities for the American family, offering activities for people of all ages. Royston, Hanamoto & Mayes, founded in 1958, grew to become one of the nation's most influential corporate firms. With his collaborative approach, Royston designed landscapes that set a high standard of inclusivity and environmental awareness. In addition to the many beloved places he created, his perceptive humanism, which passed down to his students, is Royston's enduring legacy.

A productive, beautiful garden is one of life's greatest pleasures...something that rewards your investment of time and effort in abundance.Whether you're after long-lasting flowers, high-yielding fruit frees, bumper vegetable crops or that elusive perfect lawn, this book provides the expert know-how to give you dramatic improvements in your garden, whatever its size and location, and climatic conditions.On every page, you'll find advice that will ensure your plants perform at their peak, help reduce your gardening workload and inspire you to experiment.Many of the tips will be new even to experienced gardeners, and for the novice, there's a wealth of practical knowledge, too. * Explains essential and newly developed gardening techniques - from planting beds and borders to caring for trees and shrubs, to keeping seedlings, fruit and hedges healthy and flourishing. * Reveals which plants, tools and materials are 'star performers' - the best of the best. There are more than 600 great examples to choose from. * Presents inspiring design ideas for paths and patios, water features and lighting.

Create 15 beautifully crafted handmade projects for your garden. From the smallest to the largest of spaces - whether a window box, balcony or acres of land - a garden can be elevated from everyday to extraordinary with this selection of makes that will transform and make the most of your outdoor space. Nurturing our outdoor spaces can be transformative, giving us a connection with the natural world that is essential to a harmonious life. Created by Kerry Allen - whose blog Kezzabeth is the ultimate guide to creating stylish interiors from scratch on a tight budget - the projects range from simplicity itself to impressive, large-scale makes. Whether you're a DIY novice or handy with a hammer, Maker.Garden will help you to develop your skillset from scratch and build your confidence with tools, or add to your expertise, making your garden a comfortable and stylish haven. Gate - Rustic garden screen - Fire pit - Tile planter - Planter with seating - Doormat - Rustic tray - Pallet seating - Star lantern - Storage rack - Bird box - Living herb feature wall - Scaffold bench - Storage chest - Concrete candle holder.

Seeking Eden promotes an awareness of, and appreciation for, Georgia's rich garden heritage. Updated and expanded here are the stories of nearly thirty designed landscapes first identified in the early twentieth-century publication Garden History of Georgia, 1733-1933. Seeking Eden records each garden's evolution and history as well as each garden's current early twenty-first-century appearance, as beautifully documented in photographs. Dating from the mid-eighteenth to the early twentieth centuries, these publicly and privately owned gardens include nineteenth-century parterres, Colonial Revival gardens, Country Place-era landscapes, rock gardens, historic town squares, college campuses, and an urban conservation garden. Seeking Eden explores the significant impact of the women who envisioned and nurtured many of these special places; the role of professional designers, including J. Neel Reid, Philip Trammel Shutze, William C. Pauley, Robert B. Cridland, the Olmsted Brothers, Hubert Bond Owens, and Clermont Lee; and the influence of the garden club movement in Georgia in the early twentieth century.

'Designer Matt Keightley's first book is a thing of beauty and a valuable source of design inspiration - a stylish guide to a stylish garden.' - Gardens Illustrated Do you want your outdoor space to look as stylish and as well designed as your home? RHS Design Outdoors will give you the ideas and know-how you need to make that happen. Award-winning designer Matt Keightley has curated a collection of 35 gardens, created either by him or by other leading contemporary designers, that will provide the inspiration to transform your outdoor space. Gardeners features include award-winning designers Jo Thompson, Tom Stuart Smith, Tony Woods, Charlotte Rowe and Andrew Wilson. For each case study there is a detailed plan, information on the plants and materials used and a wealth of gorgeous photography by leading garden photographer Marianne Majerus. The designs are organized into five categories: Showstoppers at Home - high-design concepts that are nonetheless achievable; Family-friendly - gardens that incorporate play areas and socialising; Minimalist - spaces with larger areas of hard landscaping and bold, restrained planting; Plants First - gardens where more than half of the outdoor space is planted; and Other Spaces - roof terraces, basement areas and front gardens. This wide array of garden styles means that there is inspiration for all types of garden, and for all types of gardener.

A stunning guide for gardeners keen to transform small and awkward outdoor spaces into beautiful and practical escapes. From courtyards to rooftops, Kate Gould draws on her experience as an award-winning garden designer to provide tailored solutions and inspirational ideas. Covering topics such as how to design and measure the perfect garden, choose and use the best materials and maintain a lush garden all year round, Urban Garden Design includes detailed advice for gardeners undeterred by limited space. This carefully illustrated guide ensures gardeners of all abilities achieve the best results outdoors. Creating a personal and unique space is also at the heart of each project and Kate makes sure to discuss how to tie each design back to the interior of the home.

Gardens take many forms, and have a variety of functions. They can serve as spaces of peace and tranquilty, a way to cultivate wildlife, or as places to develop agricultural resources. Globally, gardens have inspired, comforted, and sustained people from all walks of life, and since the Garden of Eden many iconic gardens have inspired great artists, poets, musicians, and writers. In this Very Short Introduction, Gordon Campbell embraces gardens in all their splendour, from parks, and fruit and vegetable gardens to ornamental gardens, and takes the reader on a globe-trotting historical journey through iconic and cultural signposts of gardens from different regions and traditions. Ranging from the gardens of ancient Persia to modern day allotments, he concludes by looking to the future of the garden in the age of global warming, and the adaptive spirit of human innovation. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

The latest in a series of county-by-county surveys of English gardens by this eminent writer on the English landscape. Profusely illustrated.

Document all of your gardening experiences with the Frank Lloyd Wright Garden Journal from Galison.

". . . you can't do without it. As a reference book it is unsurpassed." - The Guardian "Absolutely essential" - BBC Good Homes Choose the right plants for your garden and find all the inspiration and guidance you need with the new edition of this best-selling illustrated reference book organised by plant colour, size, and type. Drawing on expert advice from the RHS, the book features an illustrated catalogue of more than 4,000 plants and flowers. Organised by colour, size, and type, rather than as an A-Z directory, and accompanied by beautiful, full-colour images, it will help you select the right varieties for your outdoor space. Browse the photographic catalogue to find at-a-glance plant choice inspiration, or use the extensive plant dictionary to look up more than 8,000 plant varieties and the best growing conditions for them. This new edition features the latest and most popular cultivars, with more than 1,400 new plants added, as well as updated photography, hardiness ratings, and a brand-new introduction. Fully comprehensive yet easy to use, the RHS Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers is the inspirational, informative guide every gardener needs on their bookshelf.

Lovers of Japanese meditation gardens, tea ceremonies, exquisite rice papers, and finely-bound collections of haiku will be charmed by the look and feel of handmade paper in the jacket and endpapers, and the tranquil Eastern sensibility of this beautiful volume in which each exquisite verse and original woodcut expresses a generous thought -- based on the elements of the garden -- for making life more hopeful, beautiful, and productive. Be the wind chime Turn storms into song Be the pebble Let time smooth you