Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes and Containers

by David Joyce

This is a practical book for people who want to garden on a very small scale. As well as giving all the necessary basics, the author provides suggestions for out-of-season planting, for unusual containers, and for ways of arranging plants. Step-by-step instructions, accompanied by photographs, explain how to plant the various types of containers and where to position them. Also included are detailed sections on plant care and a directory of suitable plants.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

96 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 1992

About the author

I am an author and illustrator originally from North West London but now living in the picturesque county of Surrey.

I am the youngest of three boys and now have three children of my own whom are my inspirations and most fierce critics.

Reviews

[M.A. Kropp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because now that we live in a townhouse, we don't have a lot of space where we can put in our own gardens. We had a hanging basket and a box on the front porch railing last year, but I wanted to add to those this year, and start to build a container garden that would brighten up the landscape around our house a bit. The landscaping is nice, but it's typical shrubs and the like, so kind of boring. I wanted to look into some different ideas than just what you see already done up at garden centers, especially since we are starting to collect some containers.

This book was a good place to start. It is divided into sections, for hanging baskets, window and other boxes, and free-standing containers. Joyce talks about plants that work well in containers, and what containers are best for the different plants. He discusses the basic care of containers, including soil mixes, watering and drainage, fertilizing, and basic care. There are lots of pictures of container gardens in many settings, from large, formal gardens to city sidewalks and balconies to more modest home gardens. There are also a number of step-by-step projects for making container gardens, some typical boxes and baskets, and some more whimsical like the flower basket planted in an old, painted colander. At the end of the book is a glossary of plants that can be used in containers that gives each one's individual characteristics and needs, as well as some suggestions for companions.

It's not a long, thick book, but it is easy to read and understand, the pictures and projects are inspiring, and the glossary is quite helpful. If you are interested in designing a full container garden or just want to try something different in your window box this year, this book can provide some really nice ideas.

[Cheryl S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

baskets and boxes to die for, yum

[TX Poppet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous pictures. Dull, repetitive text. Dated information.

[Leigh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty pointless. Very light on any useful information.