Trees, Shrubs & Hedges for Home Landscaping: Secrets for Selection and Care - Softcover

Landscape professionals regard trees, shrubs, and hedges as the "bones," or essential framework, of any landscape design. The trick is to select the best plants for your growing conditions - plants that also look good together. This book shows you how to
- Select plants that will improve your property's appearance and value
- Design for four-season interest, color, and beauty
- Create harmonious relationships of color, scale, and texture
- Save money over the long term by selecting cultivars engineered for your conditions
- Improve soil and growing conditions
- Plant and transplant with confidence
- Prune and shear plants for beauty and long life
Full-color throughout, this truly groundbreaking guide clearly illustrates all procedures, while also providing descriptions of over 1,000 of the best plants - "best" because they're beautiful, low-maintenance, pest- and disease-resistant, and available at local nurseries and home centers.

Trees, shrubs, and hedges are among the smartest investments you can make. Besides beautifying your landscape, these plants can dramatically increase your property value.

This environmentally friendly book is both a comprehensive reference on top-rated plants and a complete guide to their selection, planting, and care. It addresses all regions of the United States and southern Canada.

Here, you'll find more than 1,000 plants recommended for their beauty, availability, ease of maintenance, and resistance to pests and diseases. More than 520 full-color photographs and 120 paintings showcase plant features and illustrate procedures step by step. What's more, you'll learn how to
- Design you landscape for four-season interest and harmonies of size, shape, color, and texture
- Conduct simple but essential soil tests for pH
- Select plants ideally suited for your soil and growing conditions
- Distinguish healthy nursery plants from those at risk
- Save money over the long term by buying pest- and disease-resistant plants that are appropriate for your soil and climate
- Use the latest scientifically proved planting methods
- Prune like a pro?at the proper time for each plant, making well-placed cuts that stimulate desired growth.