Has a group of plants ever inspired such love in some & hatred in others as rhododendrons? Their propensity towards sexual infidelity makes them popular with horticultural breeders & early plant collectors faced mortal peril to bring stunning new species back to life They can clothe whole hillsides or gardens with colour But there is a darker side to these plants Numerous Chinese folk tales link them with tragedy & death They can poison livestock & intoxicate humans & their narcotic honey has been used as a weapon of war Rhododendron ponticum has run riot across the British countryside but the full story of this implacable invader contains many surprises Richard Milne explores the many ways in which rhododendrons have influenced human societies relating this to the extraordinary story of the plants' evolution Tales are told of mythical figures intrepid collectors & eccentric plant breeders Over a thousand species exist ranging from rugged trees on Himalayan slopes to rock-hugging alpines However much you know about rhododendrons this book will tell you something new ...

Rhododendrons & Azaleas profiles over 4000 varieties of this highly popular & striking plant Illustrated with over 2200 colour photographs each entry

Includes:: A description of the plant & flower colour; notes on hardiness height & spread & flowering time; advice on cultivation & proven performers; the name of the parent plants the raiser & similar varieties Practical advice is also given on rhododendrons in the landscape maintenance & husbandry pests diseases problems & disorders propagation & buying & collecting rhododendrons along with a brief history & a guide to their classification

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OS Explorer is the Ordnance Survey's most detailed map & is recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor activities such as walking horse riding & off-road cycling The series provides complete GB coverage & can now be used in all weathers thanks to OS Explorer
- Active a tough versatile version of OS Explorer The OS Explorer Active range now

Includes:: a digital version of the paper map accessed through the OS smartphone app OS Maps


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Gardeners know how helpful it is to be aware of what is happening in the garden from year to year
- what germinates flowers or
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The ideal gift for gardeners
- discover more than 15000 beautiful plants & learn how to successfully grow each one with this definitive
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Birthdays & anniversaries are never easy to remember The RHS Birthday Book is the place to keep all your important dates together so that you will never have to worry about forgetting them again This brand new edition of the best-selling RHS Birthday Book features all new illustrations ...

' Clever valuable introduction to the study of plant science'
- Gardeners Illustrated RHS Botany for Gardeners is more than just
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A beautiful perpetual diary that combines full-colour artwork from the RHS's world-renowned Lindley Library with original black-&-white artwork for the diarist to colour 128 pages Black-&-whitecolour illustrations RHS ...

This best-selling book was first published as How to Make a Wildlife Garden & launched at the 1985 Chelsea Flower Show making wildlife a mainstream issue for gardeners & the public Now fully revised & updated by the author this beautiful new freshly illustrated edition highlights the changes in garden wildlife over the past 30 years Incorporating RHS research updated best practice & addressing a multitude of controversial conservation issues this stunning guide is also a celebration of the rich variety of wild plants & animals that can bring a beautiful garden to life Packed full of practical advice from which plants to choose for bees birds & butterflies how to construct the ideal wildlife pond where to position nesting boxes & how to enjoy wildlife in any size of outdoor space this authoritative companion shows how wildlife gardening can make a stylish & enjoyable contribution to the environment inspiring new gardeners while also delighting the very many owners of the best-selling original ...

Learn how to garden with this one-stop guide Full of essential gardening tips RHS Complete Gardener's Manual covers everything from how to plant a garden from scratch & creating your own vegetable garden to how to plant in containers & how to prune It combines practical advice with design inspiration & features step-by-step techniques with beautiful photography as well as a planting guide to help you get the best out of your garden Take a step towards self-sufficiency with a major section on growing your own fruit & vegetables or use the eye-catching catalogue of plants to see what you should be growing for every season & site Plus dedicated chapters focus on key gardening topics such as improving the soil propogation & problem-solving RHS Complete Gardener's Manual is a great reference guide & a one-stop manual for both new & experienced gardeners alike ...