"Foolproof Guide to Growing Roses" is ideal for gardeners who have been afraid to grow roses as well as for those who already grow these lovely flowers and want to learn more about them. This comprehensive book takes all the mystery out of growing these plants, but leaves the beauty. Through text and lavishly illustrated step-by-step instructions, readers learn how to select roses that are reliable in their climate. They also learn how to care for the plants easily and efficiently, how to control pests and diseases with environmentally friendly techniques, and how to prune every type of rose. - Comprehensive descriptions of all rose classes. - Descriptions of 80 rose varieties and cultivars. - More than 280 beautiful color photographs and 34 watercolor paintings. - Suggestions for companion plants that bring out the best in roses while also helping to protect them from various pests. - Detailed discussion of soil science as it pertains to rose health. - Two cross-referenced indexes that cover plants and topics.

DIVLifelong gardener Judy Lowe gives you the knowledge to make the right cut the first time./divDIV/divDIV“Pruning panic� is an all-too-familiar feeling among even experienced gardeners, but it’s especially prevalent among those of us who are new to the practice. In Pruning: An Illustrated Guide, award-winning gardening writer Judy Lowe imparts over two decades of expertise, focusing on the most common backyard pruning needs for the most commonly grown landscape plants. From trees and shrubs to hydrangeas, azaleas, roses, and other perennials, Lowe takes an in-depth approach to all the pruning essentials. Throughout the book, her advice is accompanied by brilliantly detailed step-by-step line drawings that clearly demonstrate where and how to make precise, effective cuts. Lowe removes all intimidation from the pruning process: beyond the craft itself, you’ll gain an understanding of the basic science behind plant growth, why plants need pruning, when they’ll need it, and how pruning techniques can vary between plant species. So the next time you pick up a pruning saw or a pair of loppers, panic will be the furthest thing from your mind—and from your garden./div

Forget the fuss and embrace modern roses as you learn how to grow and care for rose hybrids in a guide that also lays to rest common rose myths and flawed rose care instructions.

“American Beauty,” “Dublin Bay,” “Rocketeer,” “Betty Boop,” “High Noon,” “Pearly Gates”…with a distinctive name for each of hundreds of varieties, the array of roses that could adorn your garden is both dazzling and daunting. So which ones survive hardily on their own for weeks on end, and which ones wither and die without constant attention? How do you tell a climber from a shrub, and how does each thrive? And don’t even start with pruning! Despite all the (ahem) thorny particulars, gardeners still love to grow these beautiful flowers that would by any other name still smell as sweet. Roses for Dummies does away with the myth that roses have to be high maintenance, instead showing how to choose a type that will blossom in your care. Inside, rosarians of all levels will find useful information on: Shopping for roses Planting Watering and mulching Fertilizing Pruning Protecting roses from weather and pests And more Roses for Dummies contains everything you need to know to get started, or, if you’re more advanced, refine your knowledge of roses. Now in a new Second Edition with more than 100 new varieties described, as well as new information on insect and disease control, this helpful guide also covers: Landscaping with roses What makes a rose fragrant Roses and their partners in the garden Growing in containers Drying roses and making potpourri Rose societies and other places to see roses Ten roses to avoid if you’re not an expert Whether looking for nothing more than a sweet-smelling decoration to brighten your doorstep, or looking to enter a major rose competition, discoveries about this much-loved flower await you. Full of pointers, resources, pitfalls, vocabulary, and an eye-popping full color insert, this book will help you grow the roses of your dreams.

Epimediums may have delicate, orchid-like flowers, but they are tough, shade-tolerant perennials that are incredibly low maintenance. Their heart and arrow-shaped foliage changes colors with the seasons, going from green to bronze as summer moves into fall. The Plant Lover’s Guide to Epimediums, by nursery owner Sally Gregson, features growing information for 126 commonly available varieties. It also includes lists of plants for particular purposes, tips on how to incorporate epimediums into gardens, and a resource guide that lists where to buy the plants and where to view them in public gardens. Hundreds of lush color photographs highlight the beauty of these charming plants.

A stunning guide to growing, harvesting, and arranging gorgeous dahlia blooms from celebrated farmer-florist and New York Times bestselling author Erin Benzakein, founder of Floret Flower Farm. World-renowned flower farmer and floral designer Erin Benzakein reveals all the secrets to growing, cultivating, and arranging gorgeous dahlias. These coveted floral treasures come in a dazzling range of colors, sizes, and forms, with enough variety for virtually every garden space and personal preference, making them one of the most beloved flowers for arrangements. In these pages, readers will discover: • Expert advice for planting, harvesting, and arranging garden-fresh dahlias • A simple-to-follow overview of the dahlia classification system • An A–Z guide with photos and descriptions of more than 350 varieties • Step-by-step how-to's for designing show-stopping dahlia bouquets that elevate any occasion Expert Author: Erin Benzakein's gorgeous flowers are celebrated throughout the world. Her book Floret Farm's A Year in Flowers was a New York Times bestseller and her first book, Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden, won the American Horticultural Society Book Award. Filled with Wisdom: Overflowing with hundreds of lush photographs and invaluable advice, DISCOVERING DAHLIAS is an essential resource for gardeners and a must-have for anyone who loves flowers, including flower lovers, avid and novice gardeners, floral designers, florists, small farmers, stylists, and designers.

"Growing Roses Organically" Not many gardeners can resist the beauty of a rose-- a flower so divine and graceful in appearance and, in many cases, so wonderfully fragrant that it evokes thoughts of love and romance at first encounter. Many gardeners, however, also see a fussy plant that's hard to grow and needs special attention, as well as a host of chemicals to keep diseases and pests at bay. In" Growing Roses Organically," Barbara Wilde challenges the myth that growing roses has to be a time-consuming task that you can't do effectively without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In fact, she takes the intimidation out of growing roses by sharing her well-rounded, holistic approach for success. Wilde starts with tips for choosing healthy varieties, including hints for buying the best bareroot and container plants. She guides you through careful soil preparation and proper planting techniques and offers advice on how to gently intervene when it comes to pest and disease problems. Wilde also demystifies pruning-- a task that perplexes many gardeners. Her step-by-step explanation of various techniques makes this task doable for every gardener, including beginners. You'll also find invaluable information in A Gallery of Roses, an eye-catching identification guide that boasts more than 100 roses best suited for organic gardening techniques. Each entry in the gallery includes a detailed description of the rose and its best uses, as well as ratings for fragrance, disease susceptibility, and shade tolerance. To round out "Growing Roses Organically," you'll discover how to incorporate roses into your garden. Wilde dismisses the notion that you need to grow roses in aformal setting and instead presents four garden designs that incorporate roses with everything from perennials and wildflowers to trees and shrubs. Her design do's and don'ts along with winning plant combinations demonstrate how naturally roses fit into the landscape. In sharing her wisdom and experience, Barbara Wilde shows that growing roses doesn't have to be labor-intensive or frustrating. By choosing the right varieties and providing proper care, roses really can be a welcome part of every garden-- including yours. n0 About the Author Barbara Wilde has been gardening organically since the age of 17, when her Swiss grandmother first introduced her to gardening. As owner of a midwestern specialty plant nursery, Barbara spent 10 years exploring garden design and ornamental horticulture and growing heirloom and European fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers organically. As a garden designer and education specialist for a premier midwestern landscape firm, she developed staff training curriculum and pioneered organic landscaping techniques still in use by the firm today. Barbara has written for "Horticulture" magazine and Rodale publications and is the regular garden columnist for "Indianapolis Woman" magazine. A frequent public speaker on horticulture, she is known for her ecologically sensitive designs that use a wide variety of unusual plants. Barbara currently lives in Paris, where she maintains her own Web site, www.frenchgardening.com. At the site, you can find articles on French gardens, practical gardening advice, favorite plants, kitchen gardening, her life in Paris, and even cooking-- her (barely) subordinate passion. When not writing content for the site, Barbara spends her time traveling throughout France searching for traditional French garden seeds and artisanal products, including tools, books, and decorating items, which she sells on her Web site. She also gardens with her companion, Denis, on their Parisian terrace and on weekends at an old Normandy farmhouse.

A quick-reference guide to roses, herbs, and edible flowers for gardeners with little experience and time. Roses represent love and beauty. Their colors and fragrance create the standard by which many other flowers are measured. Cultivated around the world for perfume, roses have a sweet and unforgettable scent. However, many would-be rose gardeners believe that roses require constant care and lavish doses of sprays and chemicals. Roses do require attention, but their glorious flowers make all your efforts worthwhile, and the roses in this book were chosen because they are tried-and-true, proven performers. Of the many types of plants that grow in our gardens, herbs and edible flowers hold a very special place. People use herbs and edible flowers to heal their bodies, calm their minds, add fragrance to their homes, and flavor and preserve their foods—herbs improve the quality of our lives. This colorful, photo-filled book takes the guesswork out of gardening with the easiest-to-grow and best-performing roses, herbs, and edible flowers. No trial and error—get it right the first time!

The title might sound like a bold statement, but you really will be able to garden by the end of this book. Whether you are a budding botanist or just aspire to have greener fingers, this book will hold your 'horticultural hand' and guide you gently through the principles of gardening. Whether you have a tiny courtyard or something a bit bigger, this book will share everything you need to know to create your own patch of horticultural heaven. With 12 easy-to-follow chapters that explore all the basics of successful, stress-free gardening including assessing and designing your garden, how to grow fruit and vegetables, plant maintenance, propagation, lawns and container garden. The 15 step-by-step techniques will teach you how to sow seeds, prune shrubs, cut a hedge, mow a lawn and even how to design your own outside space, plus so much more. Just as important, the book explains how to garden sustainably and encourage wildlife, so that you can make informed decisions when it comes to creating and maintaining your garden.