From secateurs to seed bombs, hybrids to ha-has, lawnmowers to land artists, the gardening world has long attracted innovators. This delightful book outlines the advances that changed horticulture and the landscape forever. The fascinating and amusing short entries are accompanied by charming specially created illustrations. This beautifully produced book is the ideal gift for the gardener in your life.

'An amusing and well-illustrated gift book for anyone interested in gadgetry and the progress of garden history' - Gardens Illustrated Packed full of interesting anecdotes, this book will guide the reader through the advances of gardening history and the technology behind it. From secateurs to seed bombs, hybrids to ha-has, lawnmowers to land artists, the gardening world has long attracted innovators. This delightful book outlines the ways that horticulture and the landscape have changed. The fascinating and amusing short entries are accompanied by charming specially created illustrations, giving a special touch to this perfect gift. Topics covered include:Greenhouses and the ability to grow exotic plantsOrganic growing and the use of chemicalsAllotments and their role in food production between the warsTaxonomy and nomenclatureThe resurgence of topiaryClimate change and the challenges and opportunities it bringsPublic parks and the importance of recreational space'Abigail Willis's lively gallop through assorted horticultural topics is full of interesting nuggets' - Daily Mail 'Every section of the book is informed and pithy, making this the kind of thoughtful, readable work often found on the bedside table' - The English Garden This beautifully produced book is the ideal gift for the gardener in your life.

Secret Gardens of Somerset offers a personal tour of 20 of the UK’s most beguiling gardens in this much-loved area of southern England, defined by its distinctive horticulture, rolling hills, picturesque villages and the most traditional English landscape. Abigail Willis and Clive Boursnell give you privileged access to 20 gardens, from a highly productive working flower farm to very personal private retreats, revealing their history, design and plant collections, in the company of their devoted owners and head gardeners. In the footsteps of artists and trend-setters from Victorian designers such as Harold Peto to planting visionary, Gertrude Jekyll as well as contemporary pioneer Piet Oudolf, we find a series of beguiling country gardens of different sizes and atmospheres, which have shaped the English identity, and in different ways express the ideals of English life. The gardens: The American Museum and Gardens, Barley Wood Walled Garden, Batcombe House, The Bishop’s Palace, Common Farm, Cothay Manor, East Lambrook Manor, Elworthy Cottage, Forest Lodge, Greencombe Gardens, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Hestercombe, Iford Manor, Kilver Court, Midney Gardens, Milton Lodge gardens, The Newt in Somerset, Stoberry House, Westbrook House, and Yeo Valley Organic Garden. Most of the gardens included here are privately owned and usually open to the public. Meanwhile, all of these landscapes can now be enjoyed through the eyes of the owners themselves. Tour even more magnificent English gardens with Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds and Secret Gardens of East Anglia.

London is home to over 3 million gardens, from pocket handkershief front yards to historic horticultural sites like Westminster College Garden. This book celebrates the wealth of London's gardens with an inspirational compost of specially commissioned photographs, reviews, practical gardening advice, and much more.

Finalist for the Garden Media Guild Awards 2023 Have you ever wondered why the leaves of the Swiss cheese plant have holes? How aloe vera came to be harnessed as a medicinal powerhouse? Or why – despite your best efforts – you can’t keep your Venus flytrap alive? You are not alone: houseplant expert Jane Perrone has asked herself those very questions, and in Legends of the Leaf she digs deep beneath the surface to reveal the answers. By exploring how they grow in the wild, and the ways they are understood and used by the people who live among them, we can learn almost everything we need to know about our cherished houseplants. Along the way, she unearths their hidden histories and the journeys they’ve taken to become prized possessions in our homes: from the Kentia palms which stood either side of Queen Victoria’s coffin as she lay in state; to the dark history of the leopard lily, once exploited for its toxic properties; to English ivy, which provided fishermen with a source of bait. Each houseplant history in this beautifully illustrated collection is accompanied by a detailed care guide and hard-won practical advice, but it is only by understanding their roots that we can truly unlock the secrets to helping plants thrive.

An insider's guide to the museum capital of the world.

1,519 All-Natural, All-Amazing Gardening Secrets is filled with old-time wisdom, ingenious advice, surprising tips and expert tricks for the garden of your dreams. With less time, money and effort you can create a beautiful garden. We’ll show you how plan and design your garden, choose which plants are best for your climate zone, and maintain your dream garden. Here are just a few of the secrets you’ll find in this book: Want greener grass? Add some Epsom salts to a gallon of water and spread it on your lawn. Hoping for juicier tomatoes? Add a spoonful of sugar at just the right time. Trying to keep ants at bay? Make a hot chile and water mash and pour directly into the anthill. • COMPREHENSIVE AND HARDWORKING: This practical guide is loaded with solid hints, informative tips, surprising fixes and ingenious advice to grow the garden and lawn of your dreams. Covering everything from garden planning to design, understanding the zones, annual flowers and perennials, container plants and landscaping shrubs, vegetables, fruits and herbs, lawn care basics and repair, weeds and pests control, soil improvements, garden structures, and so much more. • ALL NATURAL SOLUTIONS: Simple solutions to common garden problems can often be found in your kitchen cabinets or recycling bins. From spritzing slugs with leftover coffee to capturing pesky flies and yellow jackets with simple soda bottle traps, this book brings together hundreds old tried and true ways to grow a better garden naturally without resorting to costly and harmful chemicals.