Smith and Hawken: Forcing Etc. - Hardcover

Imagine it: the glorious color and fragrance of a garden in bloom, brought indoors. Paperwhites at Thanksgiving. Crocus, amaryllis, and tulips for the holidays. Great vases of flowing forsythia filling rooms with spring---in the dead of February. It's all the magic of forcing bulbs, branches, and blossoms, and here's the book that shows how. Written by award-winning author Katherine Whiteside and drawing on the plant- and bulb-purveying expertise of Smith & Hawken, Forcing, Etc. combines hands-on-how-to with an artist's passion for detail to show how to grow dozens of common and exotic plants, including hardy bulbs--crocus, narcissus, muscari, and iris; tender bulbs--oxalis, calla lily, clivia; branches--apple and apricot to bittersweet, moosewood, and quince; and tender plants--fuchsia, coleus, clematis, lemongrass, and scented geraniums. In addition, the author focuses on presentation and display: choosing unexpected containers; creating tripods, trellises, and tuteurs; and orchestrating an indoor garden for balance of bloom and color.

Exploring the world of paperwhites, potted hyacinths, and more, award-winning writer Katherine Whiteside combines hands-on how-to with a flower lover's enthusiasm in a forcing primer that's as complete as it is glorious.

Organized by plant type, FORCING, ETC covers dozens of common and exotic plants that are readily available and easily growable for the indoor gardener. Here are step-by--step instructions demystifying the techniques of forcing bulb into bloom by simulating autumn, deep winter, and early spring in an accelerated time frame. Of tricking bare branches and twigs to blossom in the house--weeks or even months before their scheduled time. Of potting up and water forcing. And of raising and propagating--favorite indoor plants. There are unexpected ideas for choosing the right containers throughout, and an appendix offering a mail-order listing of sources for both plants and unusual ornamental materials.

FEATURING:

--Hardy Bulbs. Crocus, narcissus, tulip, and other cold-loving flowers of a spring garden.

--Tender Bulbs. Exotics from the other side of the world, such as bowiea, amaryllis, clivia, and calla lily.

--Houseplants. The classic houseplants--ficus, coleus, scented geranium, jasmine, begonia.

--Twigs & Branches.

Forsythia, quince, witch hazel, and others already in your garden, waiting to be transformed as if by magic.

Plant-by-plant instructions on prechilling, potting up, putting away, and water forcing. Choosing unexpected containers. Creating tripods, trellises, and tuteurs. Extensive mail-order source list for plants and materials.