Description:
A few years ago, when perennials were the buzz, we would have laughed at the idea of annuals being described as "cutting edge." Annuals were tacky purple petunias or globs of geraniums; maybe your Grandma liked annuals, but they weren't for modern gardens. Now annuals are so hot they sizzle. Horticulturists introduce new colors and exciting forms so fast we grow dizzy. Old, forgotten types of annuals are being reintroduced, and many of these are noteworthy for their statuesque shapes or spectacular perfume. Annuals with Style explores this newly fashionable world of gardening with annuals, where innovation in flower and foliage keeps pace with ideas about style. One of the greatest things about annuals is that they grow to maturity and die in one gardening season, so they are fun to play around with. A tree is a big investment of money and space, and shrubs grow for years, but annuals require no such commitment of time, room, or resources. You can experiment, experience near-instant gratification, toss them out at the end of the season, and try something new next year. Mike Ruggiero and Thomas Christopher capture the essence of garden creativity as they advise on how best to use the many kinds of annuals now widely available. Have you seen the new variegated impatiens? How about coleus leaves so boldly splashed with color that they look as though variegation was invented just for them? Scale, texture, form, and color are all considered when using annuals in pots, hanging baskets, or in the ground. Practicalities such as starting from seed, soil preparation, mulching, watering, pinching, and fertilizing are thoroughly discussed and an encyclopedia of essential annuals provides the basics as well as plentiful color photographs. --Valerie Easton
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