Best Flower Gardening

From Erin Benzakein, a leader in the locaflor farm-to-centerpiece movement and owner of internationally renowned Floret Flower Farm, Cut Flower Garden is equal parts instruction and inspiration—a book overflowing with lush photography of magnificent flowers and breathtaking arrangements organized by season. "I met Erin Benzakein more than ten years ago when she was a young mom growing sweet peas and dreaming of making her living from flowers. And now she's sharing that dream with the world - everyone from fellow flower enthusiasts to emerging farmer-florists to veteran designers yearning for a new, seasonal and sustainable model of floristry. In her debut book she not only introduces us to the basics of growing our own flowers, she shares her deep love and understanding of gardening in a way that will leave even the most doubtful grower feeling inspired to get their hands in the dirt." Her first book is deliciously gorgeous and incredibly comprehensive- combining practical advice alongside a huge overdose of seasonal inspiration. Erin Benzakein's gorgeous new book, Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden, is equal parts inspiration and education. "The creation of this beautiful book is testament to Erin Benzakein's commitment to and passion for the local flower movement. The layout is simultaneously appealing and practical; Floret's signature lush photographs beautifully illustrate all stages of cut flower production and design through the seasons. Filled with clear growing techniques, detailed harvesting instructions and other tips of the trade, this book is a true gift to anyone wanting to generate good income from the craft of flower farming on a small-scale.

Succulents are hot. "In her new book, Succulents Simplified:Growing, Designing, and Crafting with 100 Easy-Care Varieties , Baldwin even tells of a Jade plant that has lasted for more than two decades in her garden with various stages of neglect! "Anyone who knows Debra Lee Baldwin is aware of her extraordinary prowess as an author, writer, photographer, and artist...her book, Succulents Simplified , is a work of art." From quick and easy succulent rosettes for bouquets, to teeny tiny mint-tin gardens, to succulent-topped pumpkins there's a project in this book for even the most craft-challenged."

If you can draw a S or a C; with a pen, Alli can teach you how to draw a beautiful, modern floral design. Alli K Design is all she’s ever known, transitioning straight out of college into her own design company and turning that handwriting practice into a professional practice and those random doodles into expert illustrations.

Expert flower grower Lisa Zeigler profiles 30 long-blooming stars of the spring garden, the "hardy annuals" that thrive when they are planted during cool conditions (instead of waiting until the warmth of spring and losing much of the season). Being a flower farmer, Lisa Ziegler knows her hardy annuals, those that can survive winter temperatures and light up the border in spring, and the ones that still perk up the garden come the 4th of July. Her valuable tips for success with hardy annuals will extend your garden’s blooming season, no matter where you live. In user-friendly prose, Lisa Ziegler fills a niche too long neglected... how to grow tough annuals that actually enjoy coloring those challenging gaps between seasons. Follow her sage advice in Cool Flowers for glorious blooms, just when the neighbors are dreading their garden's gray winter snooze or last wilting days of summer. "I recommend picking up a copy of Cool Flowers for some inspiring ideas to grow hardy annuals in the cold months of gardening." Finally, here is an easy-to-understand book that explains the difference between hardy and tender annuals (known as half-hardy in the UK) and demystifies the selection and cultivation process. Whether you seek a cutting garden to fill in gaps while shrubs and perennials mature, or simply want to grow easy-care flowers - this is the book you have been waiting for.

"Growing roses as landscape plants in Southern gardens for 30 years has given me more insight into their value--and magic--than I could have imagined...Unlike the stereotypical modern princesses bred for floral perfection, old garden roses have engaging personalities that belong to no other plants. At his Antique Rose Emporium display garden in Independence, Texas—designated a Hall of Fame Garden by the Great Rosarians of the World--Shoup has become intimately acquainted with the growth habits and personalities of hundreds of old garden roses. He has promoted the preservation of these beautiful plants for us to enjoy now and for the future, as the hybridizers of today incorporate the resilient characteristics of Old Garden Roses into the disease resistant roses of tomorrow." ( Amazon 2013-02-14). "Adding to its impressive credentials, it appears that this book has been self-published by Antique Rose Emporium. ( Amazon 2013-02-14). "Lots of good information and very interesting to read. ( Amazon 2013-02-14). null (William Scheick Texas Gardener's Seeds 2013-04-24). (Glen Dromgoole The Eagle 2013-05-19). " Filled with stories, poetic prose, and outstanding photographs by the king of rose growers, this book is a gallery of inspiration and wisdom gained only from decades of dirty hands and sweaty brows.

Perfect for beginners as well as orchid experts looking for new tricks, The Orchid Whisperer provides everything readers need to know to keep healthy orchids that will flower again and again! "The Orchid Whisperer" by Bruce Rogers contains expert tips for growing like a professional. In layman's language, Rogers shares his recommendations for plant selection, repotting, watering, and fertilizing most of the tropicals you will find at local markets. Rogers' language is engaging and humorous, and strikes the right balance between being easy to read and needing a science degree to understand. Bruce Rogers does not whisper; he announces loud and clear all that you need to know about the exotic orchid. "I do know how to grow orchids - one client likes to claim that I can make a brick bloom--and I share the tricks I've learned over the years in these pages." The information is clear, concise and easy to assimilate, from where to find the best bargains, to how to help your orchid survive the ride home in your car. His book is a sturdy, softcover guide printed on thick, glossy stock, with many full-page images of orchids.

Create the flower garden of your dreams. After showcasing nearly two dozen specialty gardens, from fragrance to foundation, shade to seaside, herbs to hummingbirds, the Hills provide an alphabetical directory of more than 260 flowering shrubs, vines, bulbs, annuals, and perennials that lists critical information such as bloom time, size, site, and pests in a concise at-a-glance format.

'In his new book, Everyday Roses, Paul proves that ANYONE can indeed grow beautiful roses without an arsenal of chemicals. If you love roses, but think they’re too hard to grow, check out Everyday Roses – your trusty guide to growing Knock Out and other easy-care garden roses. Everyday Roses is designed specifically for weekend gardeners and homeowners who love roses but don’t have the time or inclination to deal with the care and prevention measures high-maintenance roses require. With Everyday Roses , all the old ideas about roses no longer apply. He conducts rose lectures and rose-growing workshops nationwide and overseas, and is the U.S. licensing agent for several foreign rose breeders.

Gardeners, small farmers, and outdoor living enthusiasts will love this compilation of 76 rustic DIY projects. Tool sheds, chests, and storage racks provide tidy homes for everything you use in your backyard.

In The Drunken Botanist , Amy Stewart explores the dizzying array of herbs, flowers, trees, fruits, and fungi that humans have, through ingenuity, inspiration, and sheer desperation, contrived to transform into alcohol over the centuries. An Amazon Best Book of the Month, March 2013 : Peppered with fascinating facts and well-chosen anecdotes, Amy Stewart’s brisk tour of the origin of spirits acquaints the curious cocktail fan with every conceivable ingredient.