Author Description

Bamboos and grasses are becoming an essential feature in modern, easy-to-maintain gardens. This addition to the hugely successful Collins Practical Gardener series provides all the know-how for choosing, planting and maintaining all kinds of bamboos and grasses in all kinds of gardens. Covering all the bamboos, grasses, rushes and sedges commonly available, Collins Practical Gardener Bamboos & Grasses features sound advice on choosing and buying plants, and covers everything you need to know about looking after them. Packed with practical information on pruning and tidying, propagation and successful planting combinations Bamboos and Grasses will also inspire you to create different garden styles, from minimalist and Japanese-style gardens to 'alternative lawns' and water plantings. A comprehensive A-Z directory of all commonly available bamboos, grasses, rushes and sedges provides an at-a-glance reference of care needs and individual varieties. Another invaluable feature is the diagnostic troubleshooting chart, enabling you to identify plant problems from the symptoms. Bursting with information, advice and practical tips this informative guide to bamboos and grasses is the most attractive and down-to-earth reference of its kind. Contents include: / Introduction to bamboos - natural habitat and distribution / Assessing your garden and specific conditions / Using grasses and sedges / Using bamboos / Choosing and buying plants / Planting / Care and maintenance / Pruning and tidying / Propagation / Planting combinations / A-Z directory / Troubleshooting chart / Pests and diseases / Common name plant index and subject index