Product Description

If you've always wanted to garden with native plants, this book is for you. With entries for nearly 700 species of native trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses, and wildflowers from the northeastern quarter of the U.S. and eastern Canada, its comprehensive horticultural coverage is unsurpassed by any other single volume. The natural ranges of many of the plants discussed extend beyond the Northeast; the information on horticultural uses applies to any garden. Each plant description includes information about cultivation and propagation, ranges, and hardiness. An appendix recommends particular plants for difficult situations, as well as attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife. Illustrated throughout with color photographs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47901 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 308 pages

From Booklist
The Northeast of the title refers to the northeastern quarter of the U.S and all of eastern Canada. Leopold lists nearly 700 species of native trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses, and wildflowers. Illustrated with 500 color photographs, his guide provides detailed information on each plant's cultivation and propagation, height, color, natural range, and hardiness. An appendix recommends particular plants that tolerate wet and dry soil and attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and mammals such as deer, opossums, and raccoons. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"An encyclopedia of experience."
—Joel M. Lerner, Washington Post, July 23, 2005 (The Washington Post )

"Provides an invaluable resource for using natives in the landscape and restoration projects."
—Viveka Neveln, American Gardener, May/June 2005 (American Gardener )

"This book will interest readers who, regardless of their educational background, wish to learn about using native plants for gardening."
—D. A. Lovejoy, Choice, July 2005 (Choice )

From the Author
Donald J. Leopold is Distinguished Teaching Professor at the College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse.

Customer Reviews

Very Interesting and Informative
Very informative and chocked full of valuable material pertaining to specific types of plants you may desire for your garden. I have only one complaint - the pictures of shrubs and trees show only, in most instances, just the branch containing the leave or flower. I wanted to see pictures of the entire shrub or tree since I desired to observe the fullness or lack thereof of specific species for my garden. In other words, to get an idea how the plant would look when it is in place.

northeastern natives
The book is a good list of plants, shrubs and trees for the area. I find the text to be a little technical for the novice/intermediate gardener.

Wonderful Plant Guide for the Northeast
I know how to garden in Kansas, Maryland, Australia, South Texas and Florida, but now I'm learning what plants work for New England. This book is a life saver with descriptions of ferns, grasses, wildflowers, vines, shrubs and trees suited to the region.
The photos are good, full-color, but aren't always on the same page as the description. Each plant is listed with its scientific name, followed by its common names and family group. It gives the zones, soil requirements, and light needs plus a short description. There are propagation tips for each and notes for special information and an indication of the plant's natural range. It is really a pretty exhaustive book.
Some helpful lists at the end includes:
Plants that tolerate wet soil
Plants that tolerate dry soil
Plants that tolerate shade
Plants with flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds
Plants with fruits that attract birds
Plants with fruits that attract mammals
This can be used as a wildflower identification book or to select plants for special needs in your northeast garden.