FROM THE PUBLISHER

Few sites offer ideal conditions for the gardener. An eyesore, such as an old (but useful) storage shed, might dominate the scene. Or perhaps your site has a steep slope making garden design difficult. Still other gardens are shady or have very acidic or poor alkaline soil. For any and all of these situations, help is finally at hand.

The Garden Problem Solver is packed with surefire solutions. You'll learn how to reclaim a neglected garden - from eradicating weeds to pruning out-of-control trees to rehabilitating worn-out soil. You'll also find out how to combat eyesores with fences, walls, hedges, and climbing plants; conquer hilly sites by constructing retaining walls and planted terraces; established a natural-looking garden in an area studded with rocky outcrops; and add interest to flat, uninspiring plots of land through the use of raised beds and other tricks of the landscaper's trade.

Full-color photographs, annotated planting plans, and detailed plant charts show how to create a garden of lush foliage and flowers in both dappled and light shade.

For gardens with acidic soil, The Garden Problem Solver identifies the wide variety of exuberant and beautiful acid-loving plants, shrubs, and trees. Plants that can thrive in alkaline soil, which is often both shallow and nutrient-deficient, are listed.