Gardening on chalk and limestone can be frustrating. This book explains how to overcome the limitations of alkaline soils to create a beautiful garden in harmony with your environment and the local geology. Topics covered include how to test your soil; the plants that flourish on alkaline soils; how to improve the soil; trees, shrubs, climbers, roses, bulbs, herbaceous plants, and food; herbs and wildflower gardening; and checklists for suitable and unsuitable plants.