The Overlook Guide to Growing Rare and Exotic Plants

As the interest in gardening grows every year, so does the desire to grow beautiful, but previously umfamiliar plants and flowers. Many North American gardeners dream of picking passion fruits and gathering ladyslipper orchids from their backyard gardens; Raymond Foster shows how those dreams can come to life. This practical guide is the first illustrated how-to book for those who want to grow more than daisies and chrysanthemums. Given the right information, amateur gardeners can create the delicate environments needed by rare wildflowers and tropical plants to thrive in seemingly unsuitable climates. The author describes the wide variety of exotic flora which can easily be grown in the garden and cool greenhouse. His selection includes blubs and herbs, climbers and sprawlers, fruit, shrubs, and trees, and ranges from wild ginger and birds of paradise to jasmine, figs, and papayas. This highly readable guide contains sound advice on soil preparation, propagation, pruning, and on techniques that stimulate the extreme habitats required by the more intriguing plants, such as the "living stones" of the African desert. As the jungles and woodlands of the world begin to disappear, the survival of these fragile plants and flowers will depend on the adventurous gardener. With the help of these simple and clear instructions, gardeners can pursue the cultivation of Edens - they can grow mangoes among their apple trees, African trumpet lilies alongside their roses, and mistletoe on their atbors.