Beginner Flower Gardening

Take a stroll through the garden of a self-confessed hortimaniac. Gardening is Marie Harrison's avocation, passion...some might say, obsession. In her personal, witty style (she refers to her husband as Amiable Spouse, or A.S. for short), Marie divulges her own tried-and-true ways of gardening along the coasts of the southeast United States. Marie covers perennials, flowers grown from bulbs, herbs, shrubs and small trees, vines, edible flowers, and herbs for flower borders. A section of full-color photos captures these beautiful plants and flowers in all their vibrant glory. Charming pen-and-ink illustrations are sprinkled throughout the text. Marie discusses the edible and medicinal properties of various plants (there's even a quick or two!), as well as coastal considerations such as salt tolerance; environmental issues such as pesticide use, beneficial insects, and exotic invasives; and gardening for birds and butterflies. She also offers her musings on the seasons in Florida and how she spends her time in the garden during each phase of the year. Whether you're seasoned gardener like Marie or a tentative beginner just starting out with a windowsill herb garden, this delightful book will make you appreciate the dirt under your fingernails.

From flowers that bloom year-round to living carpets, the plants highlighted in this book will transform any garden. New gardeners and keen amateurs will find all the information they need in this guide--to visit a nursery, make wise purchases, and protect and maintain their plants for years to come. Each page blooms with beautiful images from a well-known garden photographer--300 photos in all--and every aspect of care receives loving attention, including planting, pruning, and pest control. Explore the glorious possibilities of impact flowers, summer climbers, edgers, softeners, and more. Busy gardeners will especially appreciate the many time-saving tips. "A Selection of the Homestyle Book Club.