Very useful reference

My main source of information - lots of background and explanation but the most useful condensed section at the back - practical and concise info on planting, management, harvest and storing by vegetable type.

A beautiful and useful book

Having sat down to feast on three treehouse books I had just begged, borrowed or stolen, this one was clearly the best all-rounder. It is packed full of beautiful, inspirational ideas and some good advice too. It isn't a 'how-to-build-a-treehouse' book, but it's worth getting to pick up some ideas.

Great addition to the Dr Hessayon range

Another Dr Hessayon book that I added to my collection after doing a NVQ Horticulture course at college.

The book is easy to read and the layout is easy to get around. The book covers an explanation about what bulbs are and what the different type of bulbs do.

The book has a section on different varieties of bulbs which are placed in alphabetic order, which does really help. The book covers everything from site and soils, gives great plant details and there propagation. Also some fantastic and clear photo evidence is shown to make is easy to identify the bulbs.

The book also covers plant and planting care, How to increase your stock and also where to plat your bulb to get the best out of them, for example shady or sunny areas in your garden.

Basically this book will give the information so you will have plants all year round growing in your garden

A great addition to the Dr Hessayon range I already have.

Concise overview of major grasses with good illustrations.

This book contains excellent scientific illustrations of the major grasses found in the UK. Descriptions are concise and informative. Information on the preferred conditions for each grass is most helpful in the field. The only critisism is that it does not cover more species.

the best of what i've laid my hands at

At a visit to a friend's house this morning, I was really amazed seeing the beautiful garden he had with small pools spread around with many different sorts of plants on the sides. When I asked him how he succeded in creating such a nice garden, he went inside and came back with a book titled"The Water Gardener" written by ANTHONY ARCHER-WILLS, JOHN BROOKES. I am back at home now and ordering for a copy of this particular book. Thanks for it.

Not a 'how-to' guide.

Don't buy this book if you are after a 'how-to' guide to painting and decorating. It DOES contain a wealth of information about paints and tools and such, but mostly its technical information such as 'How different paints dry' and 'What each tool is used for and how to care for it'.

However it doesn't really tell you which roller is best for where, what sequence to do things in, tips and tricks of the trade etc.

A very useful REFERENCE book, once you know what you are doing.

Superb first book

I have quite a few Japanese garden books, and I'd recommend this one above all others as your first; and if you only buy one, buy this one.

The range of photographs for inspiration is impressive and the accompanying sketches explain points of design theory well. The text is concise yet thorough in almost every aspect you could possibly need. There is not only an extensive plant list, but every one has a photo to show you what the plant looks like too! It's the only place I found an alternative to moss that might grow in my garden.

If you want to create your first garden and don't know where to start, buy this book. You'll probably find that it's the only one you need to get good results (you'll want more, though!). The low cost compared to the huge amount of information in it makes this the best value book on Japanese gardening - in my library at least.

A practical garden book.

This books covers basic garden planning including information gathering, design concept and principles, garden function, structure, space and movement, garden style, etc.

It also covers various aspects of garden construction: materials, surfaces, steps, fountains and other water features, walls, fences, gates, patios, drainage, level changes, pergolas, arches, lighting, furniture and other garden features. The interior photos are colour. Interior sketches are in two colours. It is a practical garden book.

The Bedding Plant Expert

A great book to have when considering buying bedding plants, very clear and easy to read details of plants ideal location.
Everything you need to know when purchasing bedding plants.
I find all the books in theis collection very clear and easy to understand.

HOW INCREDIBLY FUNNY!!!

when i got this book i just opened it at a random page and now i just drop in at any time.

every killing method is rereadable, some methods sick but some hilariously funny....

Great for ANY gardener

Life Through A Lense.

I've almost finished this book, and what a wonderful read it is!

It's chocked full of gardening tips for any budding allotmenteer, or any hardened gardners, all interwoven through the tale of Terry's fifty years on his hillside plot.

This is more than a simple autobiographical gardening book, this is also the story of the ever changing shape of the Rhondda Valley, socially, economically and geographically. All seen through the fish eye lense of a small plot of fertile land, nestled away on a windswept Rhondda hillside.

Terry's lifelong passion for gardening leaps from every page, and his enthusiasm knows no bounds, even his wife's airing cupboard is not safe from invasions of seedlings! Terry's infectious humour radiates through as well, some pages had me chuckling away for ages.

I heartly recommend this book, not just to fans of Jeremy Vines show, who listen to Terry regularly; not just to everyone who ever has, or wants to pick up a spade and grow their own, but to all who want to know a little of life in the South Wales Valleys over the past fifty years.

Five stars from me!

Just beautiful

I'm a huge fan of the colourful vintage and bazaar-style look in the home, it makes personal spaces that little bit more original. I love to search charity and second hand shops for the kind of finds featured in this book and I have to say that it is the most inspiring book of it's kind I have ever come across. If you are searching for a few tips, ideas and pointers on how to pull this look off, this book is well worth a purchase.

Eye Candy

A must for fans of Christian Liaigres work. Though do not expect a comprehensive look at his work. The book only offers a look at some recent residential projects as well as his own homes in Paris and the Ile de Re

Excellent book

This is the book I use all the time for my work as a wildlife garden designer. I also keep stocks of this book to sell to clients, so they can get the most out of their wildlife gardens, whether we (www.wildlifeservices.co.uk) build them or not.