Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos

This is a comprehensive and detailed survey of woody plants undertaken by one of the world's most knowledgeable plantsmen. Thousands of species, their hybrids and cultivars are described in a directory accompanied by practical advice covering planting, cultivation, pruning, propagation and pests, adorned with charming and relevant quotations from other sources. Graham Stuart Thomas discusses the history of shrubs in Britain, their introduction and use at different periods, as well as the value of shrubs in the garden today - for their individual beauty or as a structural part of mixed plantings. The expert information is always related to the interests of the gardener: characteristics such as size, evergreen or deciduous, colour of flower, scent, season of flowering, autumn colour, methods of propagation are all given in an ingenious Line of Facts for easy reference. Lively short descriptions of the characters of each plant help amateurs and professionals alike choose what to grow and what to avoid.