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For those with a country estate, those who like rambling in the countryside, or those with a small spot to fill with just the right tree, this section covers everything for the tree-huggers among us.
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A primer for the winter garden, from the designer of The Winter Garden at the Harold Hillier Gardens. A very readable and inspirational book that deals with the practicalities, but also looks at bark, evergreen foliage, 'presence and attitude' and fruits, before providing an A-Z of suitable plants.
Recommended.
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Once upon a time, 25 years ago, a lady discovered her dream family home, surrounded by trees. Soon she realized that the trees formed part of an ancient woodland. Gradually she came to realize the fragility and preciousness of what she had found. A survey carried out one day in June revealed the presence of 250 species. She decided to work to preserve the biodiversity of her 40 acres, and this is the book that documents that tale.
It is the absolute antithesis of the kind of instant gardening, make-over TV buy-ins to which we have grown accustomed. Intelligent and beautifully illustrated de la Bédoyère introduces the reader to her patch, without any sententious preaching.
She shows us the several distinct woodland areas, with differing vegetations and histories. Then comes a detailed look at the 'biodiversity' - trees, shrubs, climbers, plants, fungi, mosses, lichens, mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, birds, moths, dragonflies and all the rest.
It is informative, and inspirational, and although few of us have 40 acres, we can perhaps create a microcosm of what de la Bédoyère has achieved in our own little gardens, creating havens for native wildlife and flora. The equilibrium she is working towards is rewarded by the aesthetic pleasure of her woodlands.
Recommended.
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After the success of Meetings with Remarkable Trees, published in 1996,
frequently reprinted and made into a TV series, Thomas Pakenham has been
sent on his travels looking for more trees.
He divides up his finds into Giants (Gods, Goddesses and Grizzlies), Dwarts,
Methuselahs, Dreams and Trees in Peril. Interspersed with poems and
engravings, the book is a paean of praise to the wonderful old plants who
were here before we were born, and - with luck - will outlive us all.
Most pictures have a little person to provide scale, frequently the author,
accompanied by a wry tale of the tree, or the adventure involved in reaching
it. Although the text is a little formulaic when read at length, it is a
wonderful picture book to dip into and marvel and enjoy the short anecdotes.
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Architectural Plants is part of Collins new series "Practical Gardener." Like Tate Modern it has done away with definite articles, but like Tate Modern it is a welcome addition.
This handy, user-friendly book is divided into three parts. The first chapters guide you thorugh all areas of garden practice, through planting and general care to propagation techniques. A comprehensive plant directory follows, with individual entries on nearly 120 of the most commonly available architectural plants, with separate chapters on ferns and palms, climbers, trees, spiky and succulent plants and other leafy exotics. The final section of the book covers plant problems, with troubleshooting pages guiding you through diagnosis of the causes of your problems and some advice on how to solve them.
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Flowering Shrubs is part of Collins useful new series Practical Gardener. Clear, well-illustrated and good value, these books provide a valuable addition to the gardening shelf.
The book is divided into three main parts. The opening chapters guide you through garden practice, from assessing your site, through general care and pruning to propagation techniques. A comprehensive plant directory follows, with individual entries on over 125 of the most commonly available flowering shrubs, listed in alphabetical order, and covering many different styles of gardening and uses. This section is followed by pages devoted to heaths, heathers and ling, dwarf conifers and architectural plants. The final section covers plant problems, with troubleshooting pages allowing you to diagnose the likely cause of any problems, along with advice on how to solve them.
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The British Isles are blessed with an immensely rich variety of trees and
forests. This book makes the reader aware of the glory and importance of
trees, their sheer size and colouring, and the folklore that surrounds them.
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How to decide which tree is best for your garden, how to select the best
specimen and plant it, either bare-rooted or container-grown. How to take
care of it during the early years, through feeding, pruning, pest and
disease control, with a special section on containerised trees.
Then there is a Directory of 40 of the best.
A handy guide.
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An invaluable reference guide to this beautiful tree. If you buy one book on maple trees, this should be it. Full of beautiful photos of maples changing colour.
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This text contains information on 500 garden trees. There are instructions on planting, pruning, and tree care, as well as information on cultivation and soil requirements. Also included are special chapters on landscaping with trees, and understanding the tree as a plant.
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One of Dr Hessayon's classic and evergreen Expert bestsellers. Slightly old-fashioned, but dependable. Clearly laid out in his inimitable style with concise, dogmatic and accurate information.
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One of Dr Hessayon's classic and evergreen Expert bestsellers. Slightly old-fashioned, but dependable. Clearly laid out in his inimitable style with concise, dogmatic and accurate information.
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Trees and Shrubs is part of Collins useful new series Practical Gardener. Clear, well-illustrated and good value, these books provide a valuable addition to the gardening shelf.
The book is divided into three main parts. The opening chapters guide you through garden practice, from assessing your site, through planting and general care, to propagation techniques. A comprehensive plant directory follows, with individual entries on over 150 of the most commonly available trees and larger shrubs, listed in alphabetical order, and covering many different styles of gardening and uses. This section is followed by pages devoted to bamboos, tree ferns and palms, and conifers. The final section covers plant problems, with troubleshooting pages allowing you to diagnose the likely cause of any problems, along with advice on how to solve them.
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That's it for this category. Click here to suggest a book on trees or shrubs and we'll do our best to review it here.
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