Native Ferns, Moss & Grasses


Book Description

What makes a true garden out of a collection of flowering plants are the ferns, mosses, and grasses that are the verdant canvas on which nature paints its portraits. With this new volume, award-winning author Cullina completes the set of stunning books on native North American plants for the garden, 320 pp.




The Humane Gardener


Book Description

In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world.




Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines: A Guide to Using, Growing, and Propagating North American Woody Plants


Book Description

With Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, acclaimed horticulturalist and bestselling author William Cullina continues his authoritative three-part series on the native species of North America. This user-friendly guide encourages the concept of ecological gardening by working with strictly native flora, and presents a trove of helpful information with lively, easily accessible prose. This encyclopedic guide to temperate North American woody plants covers nearly one thousand native varieties, arranged alphabetically by genus and species. Writing with enjoyable, easy-to-read language and drawing from a deep wellspring of personal experience, Cullina discusses all of the important details you need to select and cultivate each species, including their taxonomic and genetic data, Latin name pronunciations, optimal geographic ranges, soil needs, light and habitat requirements, information about pruning and diseases, and propagation difficulty ratings. It also notes the value of each species for attracting wildlife and highlights the threat of invasive species. Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines is also beautifully illustrated with over 400 color photographs of each genus, and includes recommendations detailing conditions under which various species thrive. Cullina is also passionate about environmentally-responsible native plant landscaping and gives valuable advice with the larger environment in mind. This book is an indispensable resource for any landscape designer or home gardener's library.




Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians


Book Description

A comprehensive guide to the mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians This is the first book to help general readers recognize 200 common mosses of the Northeast and the Appalachian Mountains. With just this field guide, a hand lens, and a spray bottle—no microscopes necessary—readers will be able to identify and name many of the common species of mosses growing in the region's backyards, parks, forests, wetlands, and mountains. At the heart of this guide is an innovative, color-tabbed system that helps readers pick out small groups of similar species. Illustrated identification keys, colorful habitat and leaf photos, more than 600 detailed line drawings, and written descriptions help differentiate the species. This accessible book allows all nature enthusiasts to make accurate identifications and gain access to the enchanting world of mosses. 200 species included More than 600 detailed line drawings More than 400 color photographs Innovative color-tabbed system for species identification Illustrated species identification keys Helpful tips for moss collecting




Real Gardens Grow Natives


Book Description

CLICK HERE to download sample native plants from Real Gardens Grow Natives For many people, the most tangible and beneficial impact they can have on the environment is right in their own yard. Aimed at beginning and veteran gardeners alike, Real Gardens Grow Natives is a stunningly photographed guide that helps readers plan, implement, and sustain a retreat at home that reflects the natural world. Gardening with native plants that naturally belong and thrive in the Pacific Northwest’s climate and soil not only nurtures biodiversity, but provides a quintessential Northwest character and beauty to yard and neighborhood! For gardeners and conservationists who lack the time to read through lengthy design books and plant lists or can’t afford a landscape designer, Real Gardens Grow Natives is accessible yet comprehensive and provides the inspiration and clear instruction needed to create and sustain beautiful, functional, and undemanding gardens. With expert knowledge from professional landscape designer Eileen M. Stark, Real Gardens Grow Natives includes: * Detailed profiles of 100 select native plants for the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades, plus related species, helping make plant choice and placement. * Straightfoward methods to enhance or restore habitat and increase biodiversity * Landscape design guidance for various-sized yards, including sample plans * Ways to integrate natives, edibles, and nonnative ornamentals within your garden * Specific planting procedures and secrets to healthy soil * Techniques for propagating your own native plants * Advice for easy, maintenance using organic methods




Understanding Perennials


Book Description

One of today's best gardening writers presents a visually beautiful guide to working with perennials and helping them flourish.




In Defense of Plants


Book Description

The Study of Plants in a Whole New Light “Matt Candeias succeeds in evoking the wonder of plants with wit and wisdom.” ―James T. Costa, PhD, executive director, Highlands Biological Station and author of Darwin's Backyard #1 New Release in Nature & Ecology, Plants, Botany, Horticulture, Trees, Biological Sciences, and Nature Writing & Essays In his debut book, internationally-recognized blogger and podcaster Matt Candeias celebrates the nature of plants and the extraordinary world of plant organisms. A botanist’s defense. Since his early days of plant restoration, this amateur plant scientist has been enchanted with flora and the greater environmental ecology of the planet. Now, he looks at the study of plants through the lens of his ever-growing houseplant collection. Using gardening, houseplants, and examples of plants around you, In Defense of Plants changes your relationship with the world from the comfort of your windowsill. The ruthless, horny, and wonderful nature of plants. Understand how plants evolve and live on Earth with a never-before-seen look into their daily drama. Inside, Candeias explores the incredible ways plants live, fight, have sex, and conquer new territory. Whether a blossoming botanist or a professional plant scientist, In Defense of Plants is for anyone who sees plants as more than just static backdrops to more charismatic life forms. In this easily accessible introduction to the incredible world of plants, you’ll find: • Fantastic botanical histories and plant symbolism • Passionate stories of flora diversity and scientific names of plant organisms • Personal tales of plantsman discovery through the study of plants If you enjoyed books like The Botany of Desire, What a Plant Knows, or The Soul of an Octopus, then you’ll love In Defense of Plants.




Gardening with Native Plants of the South


Book Description

In today’s South, where fine gardening is a tradition, many homeowners and professional gardeners are discovering a vast “new” palette of plant materials—native plants. They are realizing that these native wildflowers, trees, shrubs, groundcovers, vines, and grasses are far better suited, and therefore easier to grow and maintain, than most of the imported plants that populate traditional landscapes. In this book, the authors offer an exciting vision of the many possibilities and advantages of “going native.” Lavishly illustrated with more than 250 gorgeous color photographs, this book is both an introduction to more than 200 of the most familiar and easiest-to-find native plants of the South and a basic primer on how to use them effectively.




Native Ferns, Moss, and Grasses


Book Description

The Essential Guide to Gardening and Landscaping with Native Ferns, Moss, and Grasses Acclaimed horticulturist and bestselling author William Cullina completes his authoritative three-part series on the native species of North America with Native Ferns, Moss, and Grasses. As in his other titles-Growing and Propagating Wildflowers and Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines-this user-friendly guide brings a fresh, engaging style to encouraging ecological gardening with native flora. Cullina notes that these so-called "background" plants are overlooked in favor of bright, showy flowers, but reminds us that their rich tapestry of colors and textures offer a deep sensuous beauty of their own, adding extra dimension to any natural setting. The thorough discussion of vital details necessary to cultivate each species includes their taxonomic and genetic data, optimal geographic ranges, soil needs, light and habitat requirements, and aesthetic considerations. Cullina helpfully notes the level of difficulty you can expect when growing and propagating these varieties, the threat of invasive species, and the effects that climate change could have. More than a botanical reference book, Native Ferns, Moss, and Grasses is beautifully illustrated with over 400-color photographs, and includes information detailing the conditions likely to allow each species to thrive. By highlighting lesser-sung species that give a garden true refinement and balance, Cullina takes environmentally-responsible native plant landscaping to a new level and provides an indispensable resource for any home or ornamental gardener's library. Other indispensable tool in your potting shed will be Cullina's companion works, Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines and Growing and Propagating Wildflowers of the United States and Canada.