Forcing, Etc: The Indoor Gardener's Guide to Bringing Builbs, Branches & Houseplants Into Bloom

by Katherine Whiteside, Richard Felber (Photographer)

Imagine 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 choosing unexpected containers; creating tripods, trellises, and tuteurs; and orchestrating an indoor garden for balance of bloom and color.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

154 pages, Hardcover

First published January 10, 1999

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photos and detailed instructions for filling your house with color and fragrance all winter. I am in some serious trouble now that I have learned the names for about a dozen South African plants I desperately need in my life!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about forcing bulbs and branches. Lots of green daydreams sparked by this one. So far, the paperwhites were a massive success (they're fairly easy), but I have plans for much more. Now all I need is time to scavenge some abandoned lots...

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to forcing and beyond. I really enjoyed reading it.