RHS: HOW TO GROW PLANTS FROM SEEDS by Sophie Collins and Melissa Mabbitt (Mitchell Beazley £12.99, 144 pp)
GARDENING
RHS: HOW TO GROW PLANTS FROM SEEDS
By Sophie Collins, Melissa Mabbitt (Mitchell Beazley £12.99, 144 pp)
This small but comprehensive guide on how to fill your garden with plants grown from scratch, describes watching seeds grow as ‘everyday magic’.
Covering flowers, vegetables and herbs, there’s sound advice on seed-sowing techniques, the most effective way to protect seedlings from slugs, making biodegradable pots and collecting seeds.
TOPICAL PLANTATIONS AND HOW TO LOVE THEM
Marianne Willburn (Cool Springs £20, 208 pp)
Plants such as ginger lilies and bananas are very popular right now. Without a greenhouse, how do you grow exotic plants in a garden? This book is full of great tips and tricks to help you bring tropical charm to your garden.
BUCKINGHAM PLACE: ROYAL GARDEN by Claire Masset (Royal Collection £16.95, 120 pp)
BUCKINGHAM PALACE: A ROYAL GARDEN
by Claire Masset (Royal Collection £16.95, 120 pp)
Buckingham Palace’s 39-acre private garden is the biggest in London. It has an interesting history, reflecting the lives of the monarchs who lived there.
The garden today is an important biodiversity spot, with rare orchids and beehives, as well as more than 50 species of birds. It also holds the National Collection of Mulberries. The garden’s story is brought to life in this beautifully photographed book.
PLANTING FOR WILDLIFE
Jane Moore (Quadrille £12, 144 pp)
The encouraging message of this book is you don’t need to make huge changes to make your garden a magnet for wildlife. It is jam-packed full of tips for planting birds and insects and explains why it’s a virtue to be untidy. This book is a treasure trove for those who want to improve the wildlife friendlyness of their gardens.
THE JUNGLE GARDEN Philip Oostenbrink (Filbert £25, 224 pp)
THE JUNGLE GARDEN
by Philip Oostenbrink (Filbert £25, 224 pp)
Although foliage is second in most garden plots, it can still be used for dramatic effects, particularly if they have large and luxuriant foliage.
Oostenbrink was the former head gardener of Canterbury cathedral. She shows you how lush foliage can create stunning outdoor spaces year-round. You could make a big change in the way that you garden.
THE COMPLETE GARDENER
Monty Don (Dorling Kindersley £27, 448 pp)
This extensively updated version of Monty Don’s 2003 book reflects our much greater understanding of the importance of nurturing and encouraging wildlife.
Fans of BBC Gardeners’ World will also get an insight into how his garden at Longmeadow has evolved. The book is full of sound practical advice and anecdotes from the country’s most admired gardener.
A YEAR FULL of FLOWERS Sarah Raven (Bloomsbury £25, 384 pp)
A YEAR FULL OF FLOWERS
by Sarah Raven (Bloomsbury £25, 384 pp)
Who hasn’t dreamed of a garden filled year-round with flowers? In this account of 12 months in her Sussex garden, Sarah Raven reveals how to achieve ‘waves of colour’ even in the depths of winter, using plants that are mostly unchallenging to grow and often raised from seed. Amazing photos.
LILIES
Naomi Slade (Pavilion £25, 240 pp)
Lilies have been long considered a symbol for purity and mourning. More than 50 top-quality varieties are featured in this lavishly illustrated book, which includes pure white Casa Blanca and an apricot African Queen and pink Sorbonne as well dark red Mascara. Although they may appear exotic, lilies can be grown in most places.
THE NATIONAL TRUST SCHOOL FOR GARDENING
by Rebecca Bevan (National Trust £20, 272 pp)
THE FLOWER YARD by Arthur Parkinson (Kyle £22, 208 pp)
Drawing on the knowledge of the National Trust’s 500 professional gardeners, this comprehensive guide covers flower borders, lawns, shrubs and trees, fruit and vegetables, growing under glass and sustainable gardening. This book is a great resource for those who want to improve their gardening knowledge.
THE FLOWER YARD
Arthur Parkinson (Kyle £22, 208 pp)
Aimed at people who garden in the smallest of spaces, this draws heavily on the author’s own tiny garden, which is crammed with flower-filled containers.
As he moves through the seasons, his explanations include how to plant best, starting with spring containers for tulips or wallflowers to large container of gladioli, sunflowers, and dahlias in late summer.
These pages allow you to purchase any book. Visit www. mailshop.co.uk/Christmas or Call 020 3176 297