'A brilliant book that in one easy read has turned me into an 'expert' on just about every aspect of plants and gardening' Joe Swift What is xeriscaping? How do you make a seed bomb? Why should you avoid the gympie-gympie tree? When was the first botanical garden created? What type of tulip was once as expensive as a house? Delve into the lush world of Horti Curious, where you will find the answers to of all of these questions, along with hundreds of other entertaining and enlightening facts. Written by gardener and columnist for The Times, Ann Treneman, with the expert advice of the RHS, every page is a verdant oasis brimming with knowledge and inspiration for gardeners and plant lovers. From forgotten folklore to famous gardeners, and from incredible edibles to poisonous plants, this compendium of curiosities celebrates the diverse wonders of horticulture and botany. Beautifully illustrated with botanical diagrams and graphics, this miscellany will inform and delight gardeners and plant lovers. A 'pick and mix' of horticultural knowledge, it ranges from local to global, filled with maps, historical biographies, scientific explorations, plant profiles, fun and unbelievable facts, recipes and tips.

A glorious celebration of plants, gardens, and gardeners from Times columnist Ann Treneman. A glorious celebration of all things horticultural - a treasure trove for garden-lovers from the creators of the bestselling Latin for Gardeners and Botany for Gardeners. This wonderfully diverse collection of facts, figures and foliage is a celebration of plants, gardens and gardening. All things horticultural can be found here, from the phantasmagorical to the practical and everything in between. Delve into the cut-throat world of the plant hunters. Meet the first garden gnomes. Find a recipe to create a cocktail flower garden. See the world through the eyes of a bee. Here is a book to inspire gardeners and dig down into all aspects of a horticultural world where plants can heal and hurt, attack and retreat, survive and even come back from the dead. Beautifully illustrated with botanical diagrams and graphics, this miscellany will inform and delight gardeners and plant lovers. A 'pick and mix' of horticultural knowledge, it ranges from local to global, filled with maps, historical biographies, scientific explorations, plant profiles, fun and unbelievable facts, recipes and tips.

'This is a lovely book to dip into, and you may even find yourself reading it cover to cover' - the Guardian 'An enlightening and entertaining read that will leave the reader armed with the facts and insight to improve their garden as well as their general knowledge' - The English Garden RHS How Do Worms Work? provides expert answers to the questions that every gardener wants to ask - and a few that you never even dreamt of. As well as answering the titular question about soil's best friend, this fact-filled journey through the world of the garden is packed with Q&As that are sometimes practical, sometimes whimsical and always intriguing. This richly illustrated volume is an absorbing guide to the quirky and lesser-known aspects of gardening and a perfect gift for any gardener with an inquisitive mind. With sections on Seeds and Plants; Flowers and Fruits; Below the Ground; Weather, Climate and the Seasons; and In the Garden, RHS How Do Worms Work? holds the answers to common questions such as: - What's the difference between a fruit and a vegetable? - Is it true that sunflower heads follow the sun? - When is a plant a weed? - How do you attract butterflies? - How long can a plant survive without water? and many more.

Ever wondered how worms breathe? Or why exactly trees are so big? This book covers all aspects of gardens and gardening, and will satisfy all your horticultural curiosity. Packed with photographs, vintage engravings and diagrams, this book will answer everything from the practical to the quirky and whimsical. Feature boxes provide practical guidance, so that you can apply your new-found knowledge to your own garden. Written by the head of the Royal Horticultural Society Members' Advisory Service, and updated to suit Australian and New Zealand readers, this book is the ideal gift for fact-loving gardeners with curious minds.

'Clever... valuable introduction to the study of plant science.' - Gardeners Illustrated RHS Botany for Gardeners is more than just a useful reference book on the science of botany and the language of horticulture - it is a practical, hands-on guide that will help gardeners understand how plants grow, what affects their performance, and how to get better results. Illustrated throughout with beautiful botanical prints and simple diagrams, RHS Botany for Gardeners provides easy-to-understand explanations of over 3,000 botanical words and terms, and show how these can be applied to everyday gardening practice. For easy navigation, the book is divided into thematic chapters covering everything from Plant Pests, and further subdivided into useful headings such as 'Seed Sowing' and 'Pruning'. 'Botany in Action' boxes provide instantly accessible practical tips and advice, and feature spreads profile the remarkable individuals who collected, studied and illustrated the plants that we grow today. Aided by this book, gardeners will unlock the wealth of information that lies within the intriguing world of botanical science - and their gardens will thrive as a result. This is the perfect gift for any gardener. Contents Includes... The Plant kingdom Growth, Form and Function Inner Workings Reproduction The Beginning of Life External Factors Pruning Botany and the Senses Pest, Diseases and Disorders Botanists and Botanical Illustration ... And Much More!

Twelve inspiring projects, plus 200 in-depth plant profiles with detailed useful information and care instructions to help you cultivate and care for your houseplants. Learn how to choose which plants to use where, care for your houseplants to keep them healthy, and use plants to best effect in your home, with trusted advice, creative inspiration, strong visual aesthetic, and practical step-by-step detail. Two hundred plant profiles provide information and care instructions for a wide variety of plants, including ferns, orchids, and succulents, while a dozen step-by-step photographic projects offer exciting ideas for using plants to decorate your home or greenhouse--from eye-catching terrariums to a living succulent wall to a floating kokedama "string garden." With information on plant care, propagation, pests and diseases, pruning, and problem-solving, The Practical Houseplant Book is the essential guide for indoor gardeners.

"A thorough update and the introduction of new topics such as biodiversity and conservation has greatly enhanced this new edition: it is a 'must read' for all interested in horticulture and gardening." —John MacLeod, RHS Professor of Horticulture Most conventional gardening books concentrate on how and when to carry out horticultural tasks such as pruning, seed sowing and taking cuttings. This book is unique in explaining in straightforward terms some of the science that underlies these practices. It is principally a book of 'Why' – Why are plants green? Why should one cut beneath a leaf node when taking cuttings? Why do plants need so much water? But it also goes on to deal with the 'How', providing rationale behind the practical advice. The coverage is wide-ranging and comprehensive and includes the basic structure and functioning of garden plants, nomenclature, genetics and plant breeding, soil management, environmental factors affecting growth, methods of propagation and production, pest and disease control, post harvest management and storage, and conservation and sustainable horticulture. Now with full colour throughout, the second edition provides the reader with: Completely revised and updated chapters from the first edition, with new information and clearer focus on the topics Four new chapters, dealing with matters that have become of increasing concern since the first edition, namely: Diversity in the Plant World; Conservation and Sustainable Gardening; Gardens and the Natural World; and Gardens for Science Published on behalf of the Royal Horticultural Society, this book remains a key text for those sitting RHS examinations, particularly at levels 2 and 3; it will also appeal to gardeners, growers and scientists. Key Features Bestselling essential text for all horticulture students Edited and written by a group of highly regarded scientists Covers the scientific information of greatest importance to gardeners and horticulturists Jargon-free scientific explanations, a comprehensive glossary, and copious colour illustrations Royalties from the sale of this book go towards the charitable work of the RHS, promoting horticulture and helping gardeners. www.rhs.org.uk