Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening: A Gardener's Guide to Growing Flowers, from Today's Favorites to Unusual Varieties

Description

A comprehensive and highly practical study of the art of growing flowers, Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening presents expert tips on growing both annuals and biennials (including native and heirloom species) alongside 300+ lush photographs. This gorgeously illustrated book by Matt Mattus is based on decades of first-hand experience in his own garden-every variety or cultivar presented is one that he has personally tested and grown. Mattus sets you up for success by first providing everything you need to know about starting seeds, soil, sowing, hardening off, transplanting, plugs, growing on, cutting, and saving seed. Then you'll find tips for growing over 100 different annuals from seed and 12 types of spring and summer bulbs-all based on his hands-on experience, going beyond the information available on the seed packet. Every one of the hundreds of stunning photographs is taken personally by Mattus from the flowers growing on his own farm in Massachusetts. Just a small selection of the annuals covered: aster, cornflower, chrysanthemum, impatiens, larkspur, California poppy, delphiniums, sunflowers, morning glory, kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate, salvia, and zinnia. The bulbs are allium, anemone, ranunculus, fritillaria, freesia, tulips, lily of the valley, true lilies, canna, calla, gladiolus, and dahlia. In short, there is nothing ordinary about this book-it is unlike any other cut flower book you will find anywhere.

Matt Mattus is an American visual designer, artist, horticulturist, and futurist. He is also a third generation gardener of his family property in Massachusetts and the author of Mastering the Art of Vegetable Gardening. Matt's popular gardening blog, Growing with Plants, has garnered recognition in leading lifestyle magazines and is frequently voted a top five gardening blog. It has won many national awards and nominations and has earned a loyal following of fans. He has served for three years as a trustee of the Tower Hill Botanic Garden (Boylston, MA), is Vice President of the 175-year-old Worcester County Horticultural Society, sits on the board of theTower Hill Botanic Garden as a trustee, and is also President of the prestigious North American Rock Garden Society. Matt is very active in many plant societies and is a popular speaker at botanic gardens, specialist plant societies, and at horticultural conferences. For 28 years, Mattus was employed by Hasbro, Inc. in creative roles ranging from Creative Director to Visual Futurist in their top-secret Innovation and Invention Lab. Currently, Matt lives in Worcester, Massachusetts.

"Anyone can pick up the book and truly understand about growing flowers. It truly felt like having a friend talking to you about flowers and how to make sure you succeed." -- Susan Bewley * Budget Earth *