This is just the kind of information gardeners need to know. We may grow plants better by understanding from whence they hail, but it is experienced guidance in choosing amongst the hosts of available plants that keeps us reading, notepad to hand. It encompasses a wide spectrum of orchid genera and over 1,100 species and hybrids commonly in cultivation. The introductory section guides the reader to a general understanding of orchid habitats, distribution, classification, hybrids, pollination, cultivation, and conservation. A good, broad history of landscape design around the world is followed by clear but general directions for landscaping and creating outdoor living spaces based on traditional tenets of landscape design.
Emphasis is placed on design unity, scale, and the use of practical, reliable plants.
This highly readable introduction to how plants work answers all these questions and more, always looking at botany from a gardener's point of view. Capon explains the structure and function of plants in clear, understandable language, including and defining all the relevant scientific terms. The book introduces readers to cell structure and function, plant growth processes, the many ways plants adapt to protect themselves from predators and the environment, and how plants meet their basic needs for food and water. Photosynthesis, reproduction, and the aging process are also explained, and the fascinating processes necessary for reproduction and transmission of genes are discussed in detail. Excellent color photos, line drawings, and diagrams accompany the lucid text.