Graham Stuart Thomas's Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos is a comprehenseive and detailed survey of woody plants undertaken by one of the world's most knowledgeable plantsmen. Thousands of species, their hybrids and cultivars are described in a directory with practical advice covering planting, cultivation, pruning, propagation and pests, adnorned with charming and relevant quotations from other sources. The emphasis is on the use of shrubs in the garden. In introductory chapters, Graham Stuart Thomas discusses the history of shrubs in Britain, their introduction and use at different periods, as well as the value of shrubs in the garden today - for their individual beauty or as a structural part of mixed plantings. The expert information is related always to the interests of the gardener: size, evergreen or deciduous, colour of flower, scent, season of flowering, autumn colour, methods of propagation are all given in an ingenious Line of Facts for easy reference. Lively short descriptions of the characters of each plant will help amateurs and professionals alike choose what to grow and also what to avoid. Graham Stuart Thomas's experience as a nurseryman, garden designer, pho

About the Author

Graham Stuart Thomas, who died in April 2003, is revered as one of the greatest gardeners of the twentieth century. His 'unrivalled plantsmanship' brought him the highest horticultural honours and as Gardens Adviser to the National Trust he was directly responsible for the conservation and restoration of many of the finest gardens in England.