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This'n That
A few thoughts on this topic of
"native" plants hich comes out of conversations with clients. Evelyn.
Different people mean different things when they say they want a "natural", "naturalized", or a "wildflower" garden. Some mean that they want to grow only native plants, and others mean they want to use fewer chemicals, but still want their exotic perennials. Professionals often use the term "habitat" gardening, which is choosing only plants suitable for existing conditions rather than altering the land or environment, whether or not natives or exotics are used. Others, when they say "natural" are looking for a look, a style, that is free, easy, and in tune with surroundings, - using whatever plants suit the look. Many want a "wildflower" garden because they think that it is synonomous with low maintenance, when this is not necessarily true
depending on which "wildflowers" are chosen. (Trying to grow certain prairie wildflowers in a triple-mix fortified garden bed will result in failure or worse!)
Then we have the question of what exactly is a native plant? Dandelion, Queen Annes Lace, Liatris, Plantain, etc. are certainly plants that can be found in the wild, but they are species introduced to this continent by European settlers. The common orange daylily has escaped gardens of our recent past to the point where it appears on some "wildflower" lists. Will future native plant lists include the horribly invasive Periwinkle which has more recently escaped gardens and is invading urban forest lands where it is choking out wildlife food plants? What exactly IS a "native" plant, and what exactly is a "wildflower", as opposed to weed?
From all of this, and talking with "native plant" and "natural" gardeners it seems more about the type of garden that is the desired goal - a garden that considers and encourages a mini-ecosystem and provides food and shelter for wildlife through the use of as many food and nectar plants as possible, and without the use of chemicals. "organic" gardening, "habitat" gardening, "permaculture", "native plant" gardening, "wildflower". . . all are variations on the same theme, with the thread that binds being a respect and consideration of the larger picture - the environment and ALL of the inhabitants - eco-friendly plants and gardening methods that are the least disruptive to existing habitats and inhabitants.
I'm watching for someone more clever than I to coin a new term for this type of gardening. How about Eco-gardening? Wildlife gardening? Personally I think the term "habitat" gardening is far more accurately self-descriptive,
I thought I'd put all of this out there for consideration because as the interest in earth friendly gardening of whatever name grows, would-be converts are getting very confused, and sometimes mislead by vague terminology. A good example of this is a book published a few years ago in Canada whose title indicates that its about creating a "naturalized" garden. The quotes and description on the cover lead one to believe that it is a book to guide in creating a native plant garden, when in fact many of the plants included are not natives. It is a very good book on what is better termed "habitat" gardening - selecting the right plants for the right natural setting - woodlands, bogs, meadows, etc., in a style that is in keeping with the setting - not on creating a native plant garden.
Reviewers and book buyers misread the book's intention so a good book missed its market, and those that did buy it were perhaps disappointed because it wasn't what it was billed to be. This seems to me an example of even the gardening professionals getting caught up in the misleading terminology.
Evelyn
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Here are books on both gardening with native plants, or identifying them in the wild. Even if you have no desire to give up the exotics in your  garden, books that will help you identify native plants in the wild help pass lazy weekends in the country or teach you more about your garden environment. (Note: Books on a natural style can be found on the Garden Design pages, since they don't necessarily focus on native plants.)
Evelyn
Books here are in alpha by author order.
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 AN ECLECTIC GUIDE TO TREES EAST OF THE ROCKIES by Glen  Blouin, A book that starts where other native tree guides leave off. Very thorough botanical, horticultural and historical information, on the almost 50 major tree species native to this area.
Botanical details are in a clear chart format, followed by a delightful and engaging discussion on - history; range; value to wildlife and habitat; natural enemies; garden use; traditional uses as medicinals or food by Native people; properties of the wood for woodworking; conservation guidelines, etc. The author's enthusiasm and intimate knowledge of the topic at hand is evident on every page. Delightful and informative reading. 280pgs / 6 x 9 / full colour photos throughout / $29.95pb 2002
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 AN ILLUS. FLORA OF THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES AND CANADA: In 3 volumes, by Nathaniel Lord Britton & Hon. Addison Brown. Vol #1 - FERNS TO BUCKWHEAT, Vol #2 - AMARANTH TO POLPREMEM, Vol. #3 - GENTIAN to THISTLE. This monumental classic of botany remains unsurpassed as the most comprehensive and reliable work on the flora of Northeast North America. It illustrates in sketches, and fully describes, every species growing wild from Virginia to Labrador, and covers 4666 species
identifying each by its popular name and its Latin. Plants are not ordered alphabetically, but are organized into classes, order, families, genera, species, etc., and an 8 page key helps locate a family by characteristics. Unabridged reprint of the 2nd revised edition of 1913. Total 2052pgs / each 6 1/8 x 9 1/4 / b&w botanical line drawings throughout / in 3 vol.s, $29.95ea. pb.
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 NATIVE TREES, SHRUBS & VINES: A guide to Using, Growing, and Propagating North American Woody Plants, by William Cullina. Written in lively, informative language and illustrated with more than two hundred colour photographs, this is a comprehensive reference to one thousand native woody plants. Cullina's acclaimed book on wildflowers, GROWING
& PROPAGATING WILDFLOWERS ($59.95, same format), received rave reviews, and now together with NATIVE TREES..., forms a definitive reference to cultivating the native plants of the northern half of this continent. Cullina writes from personal experience, so both of these books are not only informative but are enjoyable reading. 356pgs / 8 3/4 x 11 / colour photos throughout / $64.95hc.
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AMERICAN WOODLAND GARDEN: Capturing the Spirit of the Deciduous Forest, by Rick Darke. North America's eastern half was once a great deciduous forest. Human intervention cleared the land, but the spirit of the place persists, and the author encourages us to bring this spirit to our gardens. In this thought provoking book, award-winning author Rick Darke promotes and stunningly illustrates a garden aesthetic based on the strengths and opportunities of the woodland, including play of light, sound, scent, seasonal drama, and the architectural interest of woody plants. An alpha listing of woodland plants both herbaceous and woody, emphasizing native species, are accompanied by
700 stunning photographs taken by the author that dramatize effects that can be achieved in the garden. 378pgs / 10 x 11 / full colour photos throughout / $69.95hc / 2002
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100 EASY-TO-GROW NATIVE PLANTS by Lorraine Johnson. A gardener's guide to herbaceous natives. Each entry includes a full colour photo along with gardening instructions including propagation. A a great feature is that plants are listed again with thumbnail photos in habitat groups, making it easy to find plants suitable for your garden's sun & soil conditions. Surprisingly, the Canadian edition of this terrific book has recently gone out of print, but we're trying to find a way to make the American edition available. (Same book, slightly different title). 160pgs / 8 x 9 / colour photos
throughout / $26.95pb
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 ONTARIO NATURALIZED GARDEN: The Complete Guide to Using Native Plants, by Lorraine Johnson. More than just a list of Ontario natives, this book brings together the plants, methods, philosophy, ecology and ethics involved in native plant gardening and the many rewards it brings. Lorraine is one of our foremost experts on native plants and Ontario's diverse habitats, and
in her book she encourages and instructs gardeners to become aware of their garden as more than just a place to grow favourite flowers, but as a mini eco-system to nurture. 188pgs / 7 1/2 x 9 1/4 / 16pg colour photo insert / $24.95pb.
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 A GUIDE TO WILDFLOWERS IN WINTER: Herbaceous Plants of the Northeast, by Carol Levine. A serious amateur botanists book - keyed (grouped by main identifying features), for quicker reference and full of very detailed botanical line drawings. This is the best on the topic (winter identification), I've come across. 329pgs / 6 x 9 1/4 / line drawings throughout / $32.95pb (see WINTER BOTANY by Trelease below for woody plants in winter)
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 NATURAL LANDSCAPING: Gardening with Nature to Create a Backyard Paradise, by Sally Roth. A book that is both very practical and inspirational, with charts, photos, and profiles of different habitat gardens and their gardeners. Plants lists, themed planting plans, profiles of common birds and the plants that attract them lots of practical tips on design, this book will help you create a woodland garden or a wildflower meadow on either a small town lot or country property that is in tune with nature. While the gardens profiled primarily use native plants, the book focuses on creating natural
habitat gardens, rather than purely native plant gardens. 253pgs / 8 1/2 x 11 / full colour photos throughout / $29.95pb
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MANUAL OF THE TREES OF NORTH AMERICA Vol. 1 & 2, by Charles S. Sergeant. The classic complete survey of every native tree and tree-like shrub, 717 species in all. Extremely full descriptions and information that keep both the botanist and the gardener in mind. Over 100 finding keys. Nearly 800 excellent drawings aid identification and description. Combined 2 vols - 935pgs / detailed botanical line drawings throughout / 5 3/8 x 8 1/2 / $22.95ea / paperback
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 WINTER BOTANY by William Trelease. Identify over 1,000 species of vines, shrubs and trees in winter, most from the northeast, by examining twigs, bark, buds, leaf scars, berries, and other characteristics that are evident in winter. Includes excellent key and drawings of particular identifying characterists for each species. 448pgs / Over 1,000 b&w line drawings / 5 3/8 x 8 1/2 / $19.95pb
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drawings throughout / $24.95pb 2003
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