Plant Solutions. Nigel Colborn

      

Copyright

      Published by Collins

      an imprint of

      HarperCollins Publishers

      77–85 Fulham Palace Road

      London W6 8JB

       www.harpercollins.co.uk

      First published in 2006 Great Britain by HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd

      Text © Nigel Colborn, 2006

      A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

      Nigel Colborn asserts his moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

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      HarperCollinsPublishers has made every reasonable effort to ensure that any picture content and written content in this ebook has been included or removed in accordance with the contractual and technological constraints in operation at the time of publication.

      Source ISBN: 9780007193127

      Ebook Edition © AUGUST 2014 ISBN: 9780007591831

      Version: 2014-08-01

      Contents

       Cover

       Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Annuals

Biennials

Bedding

Bulbs

      Alpines

      Perennials

      Groundcover

      Grasses

      Ferns

      Climbers

      Shrubs

      Trees

      Water Plants

       About the Publisher

      How to Use This Book

      The aim of this book is to stimulate planting ideas, rather than give prescriptive formulae. Feel free, therefore, to flick through the pages at random and alight on any plants that catch your eye. The main section of the book consists of the plant directory pages, categorised as shown in the contents table, with each group – shrubs, annuals etc. – further subdivided to offer selections for specific sites. Thus, if you are searching for a medium sized shrub that prefers partial sun, you will find a choice here. Each plant entry gives essential details and a brief description, and lists suggestions for companion plants. Alternative varieties are also frequently mentioned.

      Interspersed among the directory pages, you will find occasional spreads devoted to a specific plant group. Limited space allows these to represent but a tiny sample from such extensive genera as roses (ref 1 and ref 2) or clematis (ref 1 and ref 2). They are intended for use as a starting point, perhaps for a more detailed search elsewhere.

      Examples of plant associations are also included, for example, here, where a scheme with annuals is described and illustrated. Like the special spreads, these are intended as prompters for further ideas, rather than as specific recipes to which one must adhere.

      Although the information given is as accurate as possible, it is important to bear in mind that plants can cope with a surprisingly wide range of conditions outside their recognized ‘comfort zones’. Species which are deemed tender, can often survive low night temperatures, certain wetland plants can be surprisingly drought tolerant and plants adapted to sunny conditions may thrive in shade. Heights and dimensions can vary, too, depending on growing conditions, so be experimental, when you plant, and prepare for some surprises!

Introduction

      Choosing plants can be one of the greatest pleasures