Search results for ""Filbert Press""

This book uses scientific research to show how plants can help you sleep, reduce stress, improve memory and make you feel better. It describes how medicinal plants work, suggests easy plant remedies you can make at home and exercises such as meditating on a chamomile lawn and breathing in the goodness of aromatic herbs.

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Get ready for the shocking truth about botanical sex. Did you know bee orchids trick insects into having sex with them? Or that avocado flowers open female one day and male the next? Discover over 200 of nature’s most unseemly creations in this sensational exposé.

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Now it's the turn of wild shrublands to stimulate naturalistic planting design. Shrubs have a raw beauty and wild otherness that make them a striking presence in the landscape and a rich source of inspiration for gardeners. Shrubs are tough: they thrive in the hottest of deserts roadcuts, make homes in abandoned pasture, and march reliably northward as we warm the earth. Shrubs excel at sharing communities with other living things and this book demonstrates how their adaptability and reciprocities are so valuable in a time of global climate change. Shrouded in Light takes us on a journey through a glorious underworld of wild shrublands including blasted heathland, rolling sagebrush and bone-dry steppe. The authors capture the spirit of each place, consider the key protagonists in each plant community, and propose multiple garden design applications. This book is a thrilling call to create gardens and landscapes that emulate wild shrublands and celebrate their ability to surprise

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A natural swimming pool is an exciting addition to a garden. It is the ultimate play resource that provides a healthy, chlorine-free environment for swimming, a living ecosystem for nature lovers and whole new world of aquatic plants for gardeners. This practical handbook describes a wide range of pools from simple "swimming ponds" to models with separate plant regeneration areas, and others that resemble traditional pools. It explains how plants are used to keep the water clean and advises on pumps, skimmers and filters to limit the growth of algae, encourage the growth of biofilm and keep the water sparkling. Natural swimming pools are easy to maintain, have low running costs and require less fill-up water than conventional pools. This book provides tried-and-trusted advice on a feature that is increasingly in demand among aspirational, eco-minded gardeners and designers.

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Jimi Blake has spent the last 25 years discovering stand-out plants which he grows in dynamic and innovative ways at the fabulous Hunting Brook Gardens. As we “walk the garden” in this absorbing book it’s impossible not to gasp at his exuberant, highly idiosyncratic style and marvel at his acute eye for interesting plants. Foliage plants play a key role, their finely cut leaves, extraordinary shapes and rich textures changing the way we think about trees and shrubs. In another bold move, cacti and succulents are summer planted to provide interesting pairings with hardy perennials while jewel-box geums, dahlias and salvias are carefully chosen for their long flowering and perfect hues. Hunting Brook is always on the move and even regular visitors find fresh surprises around every corner, often inspired by Jimi’s recent travels or a new purchase from a specialist nursery. Yet from the open borders to the woodland and valley there is a grounded quality to the garden that reflects Jimi’s close ties with the land and respect for the spirit of the place. A Beautiful Obsession inspires new garden projects, rewrites the rule book about combining plants and changes the way you think about plants and gardens.

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Flowering meadows are appealing to gardeners and valuable for wildlife, but they can be difficult to establish and many people give up. This book will change all that with practical advice and new establishment techniques. Garden owners will value this alternative approach that can deliver a flowering meadow the same year it is planted. Previous knowledge of plant communities, plant ecology, or even plants is not required. Simply choose the best option for the site using seed, plug plants, bulbs or roll-out turf. At the heart of the book is a collection of 30 case studies in private gardens, public spaces and community gardens. Thriving meadows are featured alongside paths, utility areas and ponds and in mixed borders, orchards, green roofs, sloping banks, and containers. Interviews with the owners offer a fascinating insight into the many pleasures of living with a wildflower meadow.

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First published in French as Alternatives au gazon in 2011.

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This book takes the houseplant look outside by exploring the wonders of lush, green, foliage plants that are hardy in the garden. Unlike flowers which fade, these big-leaved, larger-than-life plants provide year-round impact for decades and small, urban gardens that are well protected are the perfect home for them. Expert horticulturist Philip Oostenbrink has been an enthusiastic grower for years and in this book recommends the best hardy, foliage plants for texture, leaf shape and colour. Jungle gardens can be shady and immersive, sunny and open or somewhere in between and there are plants suited to all these environments including purple-leaved bananas, desert-island palms, spiky agaves, architectural Pseudopanax and succulents such as Echeveria and Aeonium. Beautiful special photography by Sarah Cuttle features standout jungle gardens that demonstrate how to combine foliage plants effectively and create backdrops and container displays that make the plants pop. This book is the irresistible next step for all houseplant addicts and for all who are ready to embark on their very own jungle adventure.

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The Netherlands is steeped in horticultural history and its gardens have long been a place for innovation and progressive thinking, exemplified by iconic figures such as the landscape architect Mien Ruys and naturalistic plant pioneer Piet Oudolf. In this book, Noel Kingsbury and Maayke de Ridder explore how the particularities of landscape, history and culture in the Netherlands have given rise to distinctive gardens and demonstrates how a new generation of Dutch designers are reimagining outdoor space in such a revolutionary way. At the heart of the story is a people intimately engaged with their surroundings, as proud of the feats of engineering used to reclaim their land from the sea as they are passionate about nature and biodiversity. This creative tension is played out in their parks and gardens: a clean, pared-back aesthetic contrasts with billowing planting; water is managed and made accessible with boardwalks; and meandering paths lead to inviting outbuildings for work and relaxation. These inspiring examples of sustainable, modern, liveable outdoor spaces will appeal to forward-looking garden makers wherever they live.

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Making a garden that can withstand summer drought without being watered is the dream of many who wish to garden in harmony with the environment. In this classic work on gardening in dry climates, first published in 2008, Olivier Filippi offers practical advice to achieve this goal based on his, and his wife Clara's, experience of working with mediterranean-region plants for over 30 years. The first part of the book examines the behaviour of plants that face drought in their natural habitat. What is drought and how do plants manage to survive when little water is available? The second part is concerned with gardening techniques in a dry climate. How do you prepare the soil, when do you plant, how do you maintain a dry garden? The third and longest part describes in detail no less than 500 rewarding plants that are marvellously well adapted to dry gardens. This book is essential reading for gardeners who live in one of the world's mediterranean climate zones and will also be of interest to gardeners in areas where drought is becoming a recurring problem. Armed with a new palette of plants and liberated from the hose and the sprinkler this book invites you on a pioneering adventure that paves the way to a new style of gardening.

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Federal Twist is set on a ridge above the Delaware River in western New Jersey, USA. It is a naturalistic garden that has loose boundaries and integrates closely with the natural world that surrounds it. It has no utilitarian or leisure uses (no play areas, swimming pools or outdoor dining) and the site is not an obvious choice for a garden (heavy clay soil, poorly drained: quick death for any plants not ecologically suited to it). The physical garden, its plants and its features, is of course an appealing and pleasant place to be but Federal Twist's real charm and significance lie in its intangible aspects: its changing qualities and views, the moods and emotions it evokes, and its distinctive character and sense of place. Monty Don commented after his visit, "it made me rethink what a garden can be and do." This book charts the author's journey in making such a garden. How he made a conscious decision not to "improve the land", planted large, competitive plants into rough grass, experimented with seeding to develop sustainable plant communities. And how he worked with light to provoke certain moods and allowed the energy of the place, chance and randomness to have its say. Part experimental horticulturist and part philosopher, James Golden has written an important book for naturalistic and ecological gardeners and anyone interested in exploring the relationship between gardens, nature and ourselves.

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Naturalistic planting design offers an exciting alternative to traditional garden making. Rich in plants, sustainable and good for the environment, naturalistic gardens are also beautiful, uplifting places that resonate with the energy of the natural world - but they can be challenging to get right. In this seminal book, leading exponent of the technique Nigel Dunnett shares his peerless ecological and horticultural wisdom and fascinating working methods to ensure success with every project. By following a simple set of rules and principles in a unique 'Planting Design Toolkit' discover how to read the landscape and create 'designed plant communities' that are layered to sustain interest throughout the year. Learn how to design planting that captures the spirit of nature, fosters immersive, emotionally engaging experiences and reduces the need for maintenance. The information is in-depth, practical and generously supported by a wealth of case studies, illustrations, plans and diagrams. This is the essential go-to guide for anyone wishing to join the adventure and plant the naturalistic way.

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There has never been a better time to plant trees. As well as playing a vital role in the health of the natural world and of us humans, these essential life-giving plants also deliver a vast array of hidden benefits such as cooling shade, rainfall interception and carbon capture – but only if we plant the right tree in the right place. International tree expert Henrik Sjöman along with garden designer and passionate advocate for the environment Arit Anderson have created this visionary resource suitable for the world's temperate regions. It opens with a clear explanation of ecosystem services and how trees deliver them. Some trees excel at particular roles such as providing food for pollinators at times when it is scarce or filtering air pollution. Others have adapted in ways that allow them to cope with extreme conditions such as drought, low-nutrient soil and high winds. At the heart of the book is a unique A-Z Tree Directory representing more than 550 trees chosen for their ecosystem benefits, resilience and a host of other criteria that will ensure their continuing contribution to our future gardens and landscapes. A further quick-reference Tree Selection Table provides key attributes for each species at a glance. This important new tree selection guide marks a step change in approach that will lead to more trees reaching their full potential and a richer environment for future generations.

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Growing your own flowers for cutting brings the pleasures of the season indoors and cuts out the air miles associated with many shop-bought blooms. This book turns the spotlight on the best perennials and woody plants which return year after year with little effort or waste, offer valuable habitats to garden wildlife and bring a natural quality to arrangements. Rachel Siegfried, owner of the celebrated Green & Gorgeous flower farm, began her career as an estate gardener and in this book she shares her selection of 128 rigorously trialled plants and her garden-led philosophy that together bring such exceptional results. Cut flower classics such as peonies and dahlias rub shoulders with daisies, climbers, grasses and fruit blossom. Her exquisite arrangements capture the essence each plant making the most of characterful stem twists and branching tendrils - testament to years of expert botanical observation and hands in the soil. Beautiful photographs capture the seasonal diversity and natural ease that are such a hallmark of this thoroughly contemporary approach to cut flowers. Whether your goal is to have something to pick from your garden each week of the year or start a cut flower business, the inspiration to get started and expert advice you need is here.

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Celebrated plantsman Roy Lancaster's chance find of a Mexican tobacco plant in a local allotment sowed the seeds of his future career. In this, the story of his life with plants, we hear about his experiences at home and abroad and the plants, insects, birds and people he met along the way.

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A scythe is one of the most elegant and efficient hand tools available. In this book, you can learn to scythe from scratch and then use your new-found skills to cut grass, harvest small grain, and mow meadows without disrupting wildlife. A better way to take care of yourself and your land.

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Twenty years ago, Dan Pearson was invited to make a garden at the 240-hectare Tokachi Millennium Forest in Hokkaido, Japan. Part of the intention was to entice city dwellers to reconnect with nature and improve land that had been lost to intensive agriculture and this was achieved along with much more. By tuning into the physical and cultural essence of the place and applying a light touch in terms of cultivation, this world-class designer created a remarkable place which has its heart in Japan's long-held respect for nature and its head in contemporary ecological planting design. The bold, uplifting sweep of the Meadow Garden mixes garden plants with natives while the undulating landforms of the Earth Garden bring sculptural connection with the mountains beyond. Under the skilful custodianship of Midori Shintani, the garden has evolved beautifully to reflect principles that lie at the heart of Japanese culture: observation of seasonal changes, practical tasks carried out with care and an awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things. This beautiful, instructive book allows us all to experience something of the Tokachi effect, gain expert insights into how to plant gardens that feel right for their location, and reconnect with the land and wildlife that surround us.

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Mediterranean garrigue landscapes are extraordinarily beautiful: alternating mounds of silver and green, textured leaves, flashes of colour and intoxicating scents combine to delight the senses and rival any cultivated garden with half the work. This book offers inspiration and expert advice on growing the plants and adopting a new more natural way of gardening. Mediterranean plants are diverse and adapted to a wide range of environments and weather conditions. They are of course ideally suited to regions which experience long periods of seasonal drought but many will also withstand periods of high rainfall and extreme cold making this book essential reading for temperate-zone gardeners seeking the Mediterranean look. Some understanding of plant ecology is essential for success and Filippi shares his expert knowledge acquired from decades of research. How a plant interacts with its environment, other plants, and other living things indicates what it needs to flourish in a garden setting. Filippi's pioneering approach makes for a much closer relationship between gardener and nature that puts few demands on natural resources. Over 400 fascinating photographs capture the effortless beauty of natural plant communities and show gardeners how different gardens can be.

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Piet Oudolf is renowned for his exceptional use of perennials and grasses. His deep knowledge of plants and skill in choosing and grouping them is brilliantly displayed at Hauser & Wirth Somerset in an immersive, botanically rich garden which enthralls visitors in every season. The garden piqued the interest of plantsman and garden designer Rory Dusoir who undertook regular visits over the course of a year. In this book he describes the beautiful, dependable plants used to striking effect, scrutinizes the classic Oudolf planting techniques and marvels at the sporobolus meadow which Piet has described as “wilder than wildness itself”. Oudolf fans will delight in this book which gives full access to the plant lists, planting combinations and horticultural know-how. More than 300 exceptional quality photographs capture the very special quality of the gardens and, combined with the text, offer a unique insight into planting the Oudolf way.

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Mushrooms are ideal for anyone who likes to grow their own food. They are tasty, sustainable and easy to grow indoors in the kitchen or cellar and outdoors on tree stumps and among shade-loving plants. This expert guide describes the cultivation process for 19 mushrooms and includes clear tables, drawings and photographs.

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