Miniature Gardens. 1990. (The Gardener's Handbook. A Series of Useful Books, vol. 4). 70 color photos. 69 black&white illustr 159 p. gr8vo. Hard cover.

A survey of a popular form of Alpine gardening that had its origin in Britain in the 1920s and has developed into a specialized art there - and, as this books attests, increasingly in Western Europe as well. Treats container gardening in troughs and on slabs. Not only are such containers convenient in limited spaces, but their construction also allows for maintaining special soil conditions for more successful cultivation of plants known to be difficult. As well as setting for ththe principles and techniques of this distinctive variety of rock gardening, the author provides detailed instructions for construction of artificial troughs and slabs, information which is particularly helpful for American gardeners who are less likely to have access to old stone-work troughs and other antique materials.