In THE ART OF TRAINING PLANTS, Ernesta Ballard outlines in pictures and text how the principles and techniques of Japanese bonsai can carry gardeners beyond the simple procedure of growing plants to the higher art of plant design. She shows that the art of shaping plants and controlling their size is based on sound horticultural practice, not on oriental mystery. In addition to the woody plants commonly associated with bonsai, the author draws on her own experiments to demonstrate how tropical varieties, ferns and cacti, and such soft-stemmed herbaceous favorites as geraniums and begonias are suitable for decorative training. THE ART OF TRAINING PLANTS offers practical guidance on pruning (roots and branches), wiring, potting, fertilizing, watering, and makes suggestions on the selection of plant materials and containers. These informal lessons in plant design provide the inspiration and method to make artists of average gardeners. Illustrated with 49 photos. Fully indexed. - from Amzon