Britain's Greatest Gardeners distills the wisdom of Britain's top gardeners, the men and women who look after the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society. The book ties in to a 6-part series on BBC2, presented by Rachel de Thame, and details everything covered in the programme and more besides - from how the experts produce a perfect punnet of strawberries to how they restore their beautiful lawns after thousands of visitors have reduced them to mud. Divided into eight chapters - Roses; Perennials and Grasses; Lawns; Edibles; Water; Climbers; Trees and Shrubs; and Pests, Diseases and Weeds - the book covers the principal aspects of gardening. The text is peppered with RHS know-how tips and each chapter includes a step-by-step masterclass by a top RHS expert covering a practical aspect of gardening.

The Royal Horticultural Society was created in 1804 to promote gardening and demonstrate horticultural excellence. Today it is the most popular gardening society in the UK and has affiliations and contacts across the globe. Synonymous with perfection, its four UK gardens - Wisley, Hyde Hall, Harlow Carr and Rosemoor - attract thousands of visitors a year, their beauty offering both inspiration and education to those seeking to further their gardening knowledge. In collaboration with the BBC, this book, designed to accompany the television series of the same name, focuses on topics regularly raised by gardeners such as roses, lawns, ponds, pests and diseases. Led by Rachel de Thame and Phil McCann, RHS gardeners demonstrate their skills on these topics providing definitive solutions to what can sometimes be confusing subjects. Lavishly illustrated with photographs of the four gardens and accompanied by easy-to-read, informative text, this is the perfect gift for gardeners of all abilities, an excellent showcase for the RHS and its aims. - Lucy Watson