Annuals

Armitage's Manual of Annuals, Biennials and Half-Hardy Perennials

Annuals are experiencing a resurgence as today's gardeners demand a wider variety of options. No longer confined to monotone bedding plants, dozens of "unusual" annuals are now available at garden centers in colors and forms far removed from the classic annual bed of pink petunias or red geraniums. In the tradition of his classic Herbaceous Perennial Plants, Allan M. Armitage has compiled descriptions and assessments of 245 genera of true annuals as well as plants that behave like annuals in USDA zones 1-7. Focusing on identifying the plants, successful culture, and their primary garden attributes, Armitage discusses 279 species in detail and summarizes the distinguishing features of hundreds of cultivars, many of which he has tested himself. Classics like begonias and pelargoniums are juxtaposed with newcomers from Australia, and all are subject to Armitage's critical eye. Color photos and line drawings illustrate the text, and he suggests additional reading in books, articles, and Web sites for many of the covered genera. Armitage bases his descriptions on extensive personal experience. His frank and conversational style keeps potentially dry details fresh, and each entry is liberally sprinkled with strong and sometimes amusing opinions. Useful lists in the appendix are further evidence of his expertise, as he compiles biennials, half-hardy perennials, winter annuals, shade-tolerant plants, fragrant plants, climbing plants, and everlastings. These lists extend the volume's application beyond a necessary tool for horticulturists and nurserymen to a practical guide for the dedicated home gardener.

Armitage has compiled descriptions and assessments of 245 genera of true annuals as well as plants that behave like annuals in USDA zones 1-7. Focusing on plant identification, successful culture, and garden uses, he discusses 279 species in detail and summarizes the distinguishing features of hundreds of cultivars.

The Flower Gardener's Bible: Time-Tested Techniques, Creative Designs, and Perfect Plants for Colorful Gardens

Americans love flowers. We grow them with a passion and crave helpful advice on nurturing them in our gardens. A great, friendly, indispensable book, THE FLOWER GARDENER'S BIBLE is written with wit and authority by Lewis and Nancy Hill, who share both their joy in growing flowers and more than 75 years of combined experience.

This new primer is both painstakingly thorough and stunningly photographed. It covers every facet of growing perennials, annuals, bulbs, wildflowers, small trees, vines, and shrubs for season-long color and beauty. It is organized in three sections, and the first focuses on the basics - choosing the right varieties for your zone and type of garden, and planning and planting for maximum impact. The second section presents plans for 25 distinctively themed gardens. And finally, a photographic encyclopedia of more than 400 species includes detailed descriptions of each plant - garden uses, susceptibility to pests and diseases, propagation methods, and more. THE FLOWER GARDENER'S BIBLE is illustrated throughout with more than 500 full-color photographs that are joyously informal, and charming in their simplicity. Dozens of charts group plants by bloom time, height, color, affinity to shade, specific soil and sun needs, appeal to birds and butterflies, and more. THE FLOWER GARDENER'S BIBLE takes every reader - at any level of interest and expertise - and offers the one thing guaranteed to increase his or her pleasure in flower gardening - knowledge.

Armitage's Native Plants for North American Gardens

The popularity of native North American plants has soared in recent years, for many good reasons. Whatever draws you to native plants, you'll find no better or more authoritative guide than Allan Armitage. Widely acknowledged as one of the world's foremost horticulturists, Armitage describes more than 630 species and cultivars of perennials, biennials, and annuals that are native to the United States, bringing to each plant a wealth of practical knowledge and the full weight of his experience and expertise. Each entry includes a general description of the plant plus essential data you need to grow it successfully, including habitat, hardiness, correct garden site, maintenance, and propagation-all in a clear, easy-to-use format. Whether you are a native plant enthusiast or simply wish to use plants that work in the landscape, you'll find everything you are looking for in this readable, information-packed volume.

This comprehensive and lavishly illustrated volume is perfect for anyone interested in learning about and gardening with North American native plants. One of the world's foremost horticulturists, Allan Armitage describes more than 630 species and cultivars of perennials, biennials, and annuals, bringing to each plant a wealth of practical knowledge and the full weight of his experience and expertise.

Taylor's Guide to Perennials

Perennials are every gardener's favorite plants. They provide colorful flowers and leafy foliage, and, best of all, their beauty returns year after year. In this fully illustrated guide, you'll find

- The best new cultivars of the beloved old-fashioned plants of grandmother's garden

- Exciting new introductions from all over the world

- Today's popular ornamental grasses, perfect for combining with other perennials in low-maintenance gardens

- Ferns to grow among the flowers

And for every plant pictured, you'll find complete growing information as well as notes on how to propagate your own plants to fill your garden with "free" flowers.

Coleus: Rainbow Foliage for Containers and Gardens

These are not your grandmother's coleus! Favorite foliage plants during the Victorian period, coleus have made a dramatic comeback in recent years. It's easy to see why: no other plant offers such a dazzling variety of leaf colors, shapes, and patterns. Colors range from deep, velvety crimsons and purples to gentle pinks; from screaming oranges and scarlets to delicate creams and yellow-greens. Individual leaves may be solid or veined, flecked, or bordered with contrasting colors. They can even display riotous, harlequin mixtures of every color imaginable. Coupled with this cornucopia of choices is the delightful fact that no other plant is so easy to grow and propagate. With their sumptuous colors and tough constitutions, coleus are ideal both as attention-getting focal points and as complements to other foliage or flowering plants. As happy in a container as in open ground, they are the ultimate in versatility, their uses as unlimited as your imagination. Whether you're a weekend gardener in search of an easy, reliable color, or an enthusiast who wants to collect every coleus available, you'll find exactly what you're looking forand morein this exciting and comprehensive new book.

Taylor's Guide to Annuals: How to Select and Grow more than 400 Annuals, Biennials, and Tender Perennials- Flexible Binding (Taylor's Guides)

Several concurrent trends have created the need for a new book on annual plants. One is the increasing popularity of container gardening, for which these plants are particularly suited. Another is the hottest trend in landscaping -- creating a bold, even jungly look through the use of tropical plants and other dramatic specimens, most grown as annuals in temperate zones. To meet the demand, growers have developed hundreds of new plants and improved cultivars of old favorites. In this Taylor's Guide, buyers will find more than five hundred of the latest, trendiest plants and the best cultivars of the beloved old standbys.

Armitage's Garden Annuals: A Color Encyclopedia

Horticulturists, students, and dedicated home gardeners will be familiar with Armitage's authority on this topic from his more technical Manual of Annuals, Biennials, and Half-Hardy Perennials. That volume was singled out as a winner of the Choice Academic Book Award, the American Horticultural Society Book Award, and the Garden Writers of America Golden Globe Award. While this new offering is a perfect pictorial companion to the Manual, it also stands alone with its personal commentary and inspiring advice on the most interesting, important, or overlooked plants. Armitage selects proven specimens from nearly 200 genera of plants and evaluates their garden-worthiness and sheer beauty. With humor, authority, and a wealth of practical experience, Armitage offers invaluable insights into those plants that truly earn their keep---and a few that do not! He has illustrated the entries with more than 1300 stunning color photos, rounded out by more than two dozen helpful lists of plants suitable for particular situations or uses, including plants for cool-summer areas, plants for dry situations, edible plants, container plants, shade plants, vines, and flowers for cutting.

Armitage selects proven specimens from nearly 200 genera of plants and evaluates their garden-worthiness and sheer beauty. With humor, authority, and a wealth of practical experience, Armitage offers invaluable insights into those plants that truly earn their keep. He has illustrated the entries with more than 1300 stunning color photos, rounded out by more than two dozen lists of plants suitable for particular situations.

American Azaleas

Other than a few Asiatic and one European species, North America is home to all the deciduous azaleas, members of the genus Rhododendron. There are native American azaleas suitable for a wide variety of garden environments. Gardeners interested in knowing more about these attractive, usually fragrant shrubs will discover here the diversity to be found in the species and will learn about recent trends in cultivation, selection, and hybridization. American azaleas are not used as much as they should be in gardens and in landscaping, even in areas where the plants are native and are common along roadsides. The author offers expert recommendations on all the horticultural aspects important for growing these colorful shrubs, including siting, soil preparation, and companion plantings. His coverage of the native species and the cultivars is comprehensive and up to date. The book provides all that the reader needs to enjoy the year-round pleasures offered by American azaleas.

Other than a few Asiatic and one European species, North America is home to all the deciduous azaleas, members of the genus Rhododendron. Gardeners interested in knowing more about these attractive, usually fragrant shrubs will discover the diversity to be found in the species and will learn about recent trends in cultivation, selection, and hybridization. The author offers expert recommendations on all the horticultural aspects important for growing these colorful shrubs, including siting, soil preparation, and companion plantings. His coverage of the native species and the cultivars is comprehensive and up to date. The book provides all that the reader needs to enjoy the year-round pleasures offered by American azaleas.

Annuals for Minnesota & Wisconsin

Annuals for Michigan (Annuals for . . .)