Author(s): Ken Charles & Norman Chesshire

Gardening

This book explains the history, inspiration and traditions of Japanese gardening and bonsai techniques using authentic examples. You can learn how to create the five main Japanese garden styles - pond gardens, dry gardens, tea gardens, stroll gardens and courtyard gardens. Two plant directories introduce the essential plants, shrubs and trees for each discipline with advice on flowering habits, growth stages and hardiness. Over 1500 photographs and illustrations include step-by-step sequences, colour plans and diagrams. Japanese gardening and bonsai are both living art forms in which natural elements and plant growth are planned and formed for visual, spiritual and symbolic effect. The first section of this book looks at the history, inspiration and method of Japanese gardening, and introduces the five main styles. The second part looks at the art of bonsai, providing a guide to the growth and maintenance of trees and shrubs in miniature. Illustrated with over 1500 step-by-step colour illustrations and photographs of international gardens and bonsai specimens, this book will give you inspired ideas and the practical expertise to master both these horticultural arts.