It is an interactive gardening reference manual featuring over 1500+ plant species and many cultivars. There are 4950+ plant images. Its purpose is to help educate the user on a wide variety of plants, their use and care. It also helps gardeners identify plants (what IS that yellow thing growing in the corner!). It is also an Internet Hybrid CD-ROM, providing carefully selected Internet links to gardening-related sites to accommodate further learning. It covers annuals, bulbs (spring/summer), herbs, perennials (for Zones 4 to 11, deciduous shrubs, evergreen shrubs and small trees, ornamental grasses and weeds. A pictorial tour of four beautiful gardens: Arley Hall, Bridgemere Gardens, Bodnant Gardens and Arboretum and Cholmondeley Castle and Gardens. Included is a large selection of close ups of many of the flowers featured in the gardens. There are in-depth articles which explain the design concept, lawn care/renovation, and much more. We have not assumed that all our customers are gardening experts. Therefore, gardening terms are explained and plant idiosyncrasies outlined (flops/untidy/invasive/unattractive close up). Every plant is accompanied by a full color photograph, most with additional close up photographs. Unlike gardening catalogs intent on selling their products and therefore often only show the bloom of the plant, as often as possible, the photographs on our CD-ROM are of mature plants, so the user can visualize how they will look in their garden. Some plants have beautiful flowers but sport tall, unattractive foliage! Others have beautiful foliage but incidental flowers. Several preset garden plans are included in an animated format which demonstrate how a flowerbed is thoughtfully planned, and our chosen plants placed for best effect to provide color throughout the growing season. What the CD will not do, is turn an novice into an expert, for only many years of hands-on gardening generates experience, and even then, there is always so much more to learn. English Cottage Gardening-American Style is very simple to use. If you are comfortable navigating our web site, you will have no problems using the CD-ROM, for the CD-ROM data is viewed via your browser. The text is written in html in a mid-sized, readable font. However, if you prefer to increase the font size, you can do so via your browser. It is our intention that the information contained will provide sufficient encouragement and support to novice gardeners to embark with confidence on creative gardening. Experienced gardeners use the CD-ROM to refresh their memories, and introduce overlooked plants.

Finding Plants on the CD-ROM: There are two methods to plant selection: Searching through the botanical or common names, or, by scrolling through pages filled with colorful plant photographs with data. These 'pages' are called Collections and are laid out in similar style to a book. Scroll down the pages, and as you find a plant you would like to remember, simply click on the wheelbarrow icon to begin creating a list of your favorite plants. As every page is headed by a site-wide navigation bar, jumping from species to species is as easy as a simple click. The Directories are: Perennial Collection/ Calendar of Perennials The foliage of perennial plants dies back in winter, and grows back bigger and better the next spring or summer. The Calendar covers the growing season of March through September, and the plants are grouped by color. Collection of Annuals Annuals grow and die completely within a single growing season. Most annuals are hybridized to produce showy blooms which provide the gardener with reliable summer color. Annuals have to be repurchased and replanted each year. However, many annuals are actually tender-perennials (will survive a mild winter). Learn which is which. Collection of Bulbs Spring and summer bulbs provide some of the most exotic flowers in the garden, and spring bulbs are the most reliable provider of spring blooms. Tender bulbs (not winter-hardy) can be overwintered by following the directions provided. Collection of Evergreens Evergreens provide permanent architectural value to the garden. Conveniently broken down into shrubs, small trees, vines and groundcovers. Collection of Ornamental Grasses Ornamental grasses are easy to grow, and are so overlook as a garden addition, yet they hold garden interest even throughout the winter. Collection of Herbs Each herb is accompanied by a full color photograph, placement and care advise, how and when to harvest, drying, storing, culinary/medicinal usage, and history and folklore. Making herbal oils, vinegars, potpourri and household products. Knot Gardens, kitchen gardens, etc. are outlined. Collection of Deciduous Shrubs The directories are categorized into spring blooming, summer blooming, fall blooming, foliage only, and butterfly shrubs. What could be easier! Collection of Weeds/Wildflowers Not all weeds are noxious (detrimental to the garden and the environment), and many of our wonderful garden flowers are hybridized from wild and native flowers. Gardening Basics Covering a wide range of gardening tops listed on the link. Animated Flowerbed Designs Not fully linked on this site. View an animated design process and note how plants are positioned for the best effect. When looking for a specific plant, scroll down the plant lists: Lists: Annuals, perennials, bulbs, herbs, etc.