The Old Farmer s Almanac America s longtime trusted gardening resource shares with you how to grow more than 30 stunning flowers throughout the year. Gorgeous photos accompany expert guidance and inspirational ideas providing gardeners of all experience levels with the tools for success and creative enjoyment. We all want one--a lush lovely flower bed or pot full of colorful blooms all season long! But it s not easy to know where to begin or how to handle certain problems along the way that challenge making our dream a reality. This is where The Flower Gardener s Handbook comes in. Created by The Old Farmer s Almanac America s longtime trusted gardening resource this book will take you by your garden-gloved hand and show you how to plan plant and care for more than 30 amazing flowers that will make you--as well as your family friends and neighbors--smile in absolute delight. Gorgeous photos accompany expert guidance and inspirational ideas providing gardeners of all experience levels with the tools for success and creative enjoyment. Highlights include . . . Imagine the possibilities! This accessible and inviting resource introduces you to bulbs annuals biennials perennials shrubs and vines that will perk up your space and season. Browse the 32 plants profiled in vivid detail (from asters irises and coneflowers to hydrangeas roses and wisteria); for each you ll find beautiful photos and essential information on planting care disease and pest problems cut-flower harvesting and recommended varieties. There are also helpful chapters on summer-flowering shrubs tiny bulbs flowers for constant color throughout the season and more! Invite birds to your garden! Discover flowering annuals perennials and shrubs that offer food and shelter to make feathered friends feel right at home.Go native! Native plants offer many advantages such as requiring little to no maintenance or water once established. They also provide nectar for native pollinators. Read about native flower options for various parts of North America and you ll get a feel for which ones you might like to grow.Want to bring the joy indoors? Find out the best ways to cut and preserve your garden s floral bounty or to dry your blossoms for long-lasting enjoyment.Don t have the yard space to grow flowers or just want to keep things simple? Containers to the rescue! Learn the pot-ticulars about sizes types and growing mediums and then get ready to pot up your prized petunias!Nurturing flowers from seeds can be an inexpensive way to fill up a flower bed and offers more options for variety and color than you ll likely see in transplants available locally. Choose your favorites and then discover how to get your plant babies off to a great start.Moving to a new location can take it out of us and the same goes for plants. Whether you grow your own or purchase just-the-right flowers at your local garden center find out when they can be safely transplanted to their permanent homes.True success starts at ground level--or even deeper. Learn about soil structure texture pH nutrients and fertilizers as well as how to improve your existing soil so that your plants grow up healthy and happy.Water is a precious resource. Gardeners just about everywhere can face periodic drought as well as high water bills and seasonal water restrictions so water-saving practices in the garden not only make good green sense but also save time energy and effort. Read about ways in which you can be water-wise!Diseases and pests like flowers too. The Flower Gardener s Handbook provides detailed easy-to-understand information on how to identify and control a host of troublemakers. Write it down