The California Native Landscape

The California Native Landscape
Author: Greg Rubin
Publisher: Timber Press
Total Pages: 373
Release: 2013-03-05
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 1604692324

Water shortages and water rationing are commonplace throughout California, rendering expanses of lawn and thirsty, nonnative plants unsustainable. The California Native Landscape addresses both concerns by showing homeowners how to succeed with natives and showing them how lush, colorful, and thriving their landscape can be. The authors stress the importance of smart garden design and combining the right plants to promote the natural symbiosis that occurs within plant communities. Native plants also play an important role in creating fire-resistant landscapes, and this new book has cutting-edge information on this crucial topic, refuting the myth that natives are more fire-prone than nonnatives. With its unique combination of proven techniques, environmental wisdom, and inspiring design advice, this is an essential resource for all California gardeners who want to create a beautiful, ecologically appropriate, and resource-conserving home landscape.

The Humane Gardener

The Humane Gardener
Author: Nancy Lawson
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2017-04-18
Genre:
ISBN: 1616896175

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.

A New Garden Ethic

A New Garden Ethic
Author: Benjamin Vogt
Publisher: New Society Publishers
Total Pages: 217
Release: 2017-09-01
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 1771422459

In a time of climate change and mass extinction, how we garden matters more than ever: “An outstanding and deeply passionate book.” —Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals Plenty of books tell home gardeners and professional landscape designers how to garden sustainably, what plants to use, and what resources to explore. Yet few examine why our urban wildlife gardens matter so much—not just for ourselves, but for the larger human and animal communities. Our landscapes push aside wildlife and in turn diminish our genetically programmed love for wildness. How can we get ourselves back into balance through gardens, to speak life's language and learn from other species? Benjamin Vogt addresses why we need a new garden ethic, and why we urgently need wildness in our daily lives—lives sequestered in buildings surrounded by monocultures of lawn and concrete that significantly harm our physical and mental health. He examines the psychological issues around climate change and mass extinction as a way to understand how we are short-circuiting our response to global crises, especially by not growing native plants in our gardens. Simply put, environmentalism is not political; it's social justice for all species marginalized today and for those facing extinction tomorrow. By thinking deeply and honestly about our built landscapes, we can create a compassionate activism that connects us more profoundly to nature and to one another.

Native by Design

Native by Design
Author: Ian Spellerberg
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2011
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 9781877257957

"In this ... book, 20 of New Zealand's top landscape architects and designers offer their wisdom and advice on landscaping with native plants. These personal narratives showcase some of our country's most beautiful out-door environments, from private gardens to public recreation land, urban and industrial spaces, and even farmland."--Back cover.

Nature Watch Austin

Nature Watch Austin
Author: Lynne M. Weber
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
Total Pages: 258
Release: 2011-09-28
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1603444815

Ducks in January . . . bats in March . . . rain lilies in April . . . meteors in August . . . the predictable appearance of fauna and flora allows humans to experience the natural cycles in the environment, no matter how urban the setting. In Nature Watch Austin, avid amateur naturalists Lynne and Jim Weber provide an introduction and guide to some of the natural events that define the seasons in the city of Austin and its surrounding areas. Month-by-month, each chapter profiles the plants, animals, insects, and other natural phenomena that are particularly noteworthy at that time of year. The authors also provide suggestions on how and where to see them—from driving to a nearby water treatment plant to lounging by the backyard bird feeder. Opening with a chart on weather, temperature, and daylight hours, each month’s chapter features photographs and original illustrations by the authors. A list of references includes area field guides and more in-depth sources of information by subject. No matter how clogged with traffic and entombed in concrete, even large cities harbor wildlife and support a community of plants, either in tucked-away places both familiar and unexpected, or in parks and preserves dedicated to city dwellers in search of open space. Learning the annual rhythms of “urban wildland” encourages everyone to be in tune with nature and welcome the opportunities to enjoy it, year after year.

Real Gardens Grow Natives

Real Gardens Grow Natives
Author: Eileen M Stark
Publisher: Mountaineers Books
Total Pages: 645
Release: 2014-09-24
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 1594858675

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

Native

Native
Author: Kate Herd
Publisher:
Total Pages: 216
Release: 2020-10-27
Genre: Native plant gardening
ISBN: 9781760760809

Native offers planting palettes and design themes, gardening techniques and inspiration for an original and exciting perspective on the very best of Australian local flora. When Kate Herd started experimenting with how she pruned and trained the native plants in her riverside garden in Melbourne, she made some amazing discoveries. A eucalyptus shrub she had cut right back to the ground reappeared as the most beautiful sprawling ground cover. Westringia was shaped to impersonate perfect English Box balls. And she found that Tasmanian beech trees could grow as a copse in small city courtyards. Jela had similar experiences in her own garden design practice and together Kate and Jela have explored the unique beauty and resilience of Australia's native plants. Known for their absolute versatility and hardiness in the garden, native plants also offer up original forms for cut flowers and sculpture. Garden designers Fiona Brockhoff and Sue Barnsley, Sculptor Tracey Deep and Artist Janet Lawrence all share their own love of Australian plants and how they incorporate them into their work. Chapters cover topics such as: Feature Foliage, Sculptural Forms, Pliability, Shady Spaces and Flowering Meadows.

Designing California Native Gardens

Designing California Native Gardens
Author: Glenn Keator
Publisher: Univ of California Press
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2007
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 9780520239784

"An excellent how-to book on California native plant landscaping . . . with plans, photographs, and plant lists which are sure to fire the imagination of any gardener."--Arvind Kumar, California Native Plant Society

Native Plants for New England Gardens

Native Plants for New England Gardens
Author: Mark Richardson
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2018-03-01
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 1493029266

Native plants are drought tolerant, disease resistant, wildlife friendly, and environmentally sound. Experts increasingly encourage gardeners to use natives exclusively. This handy and practical guide focuses on 100 great native flowers, ground covers, shrubs, ferns, and grasses that will thrive in New England gardens. The presentation is aimed at gardeners, who want concise, practical information. It will also include material on the importance and desirability of using native plants. The heart of this book is 100 two-page spreads, one for each species. The spreads will include facts about the plant of use to a gardener (not a botanist)—where it grows best, when it blooms, the soil conditions in which it thrives, its appeal to wildlife, sunlight requirements, how high it grows, how to propagate it, and how to avoid any problems particular to the species. Each spread will also feature two color photos.

Native Trees Shrubs, and Vines for Urban and Rural America

Native Trees Shrubs, and Vines for Urban and Rural America
Author: Gary L. Hightshoe
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 980
Release: 1988
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 9780471288794

This guide covers over 250 major species--by asthetic character, culture requirements, and ecology--and presents essential design information through scale illustrations.