Pennsylvania Native Plants Perennials Habitat And Culture

Nearly 1,000 commercially available Pennsylvania native plants are covered in this handy shopping guide and planning reference from The Pennystone Project: where they grow in the wild and how to grow them in your garden. Another 1,000 species that are not commercially available are listed, as are all the endangered species and all Pennsylvania native annuals. The guide also includes lists of the best plants to start with for sites ranging from sun to shade. Not a field guide; just comprehensive information. From The Pennystone Project.

Pennsylvania Naturally describes all the habitat types, all the soils and all the native plants -- but it's also a toolkit of knowledge about geography, geology and ecology especially for gardeners. It provides dozens of starter lists to use as foundations for design and includes the perfect list of plants for rain gardens. The book describes sustainable landscaping as much more than environmental responsibility. Gardens are more lush, more productive, easier to maintain and less expensive. Instead of controlling the land, we collaborate with it to design a garden that suits our taste and give us pleasure. Gorgeous gardens are possible on any scale, no matter what our resources - and we contribute to the health of the planet. Instead of trial-and-error, we plan, design and create landscapes with confidence and success. For the first time, we can garden with certainty about our soil, the habitat we have, the plants that will work. Along the way, we broaden our horizons about the astonishing variety of landscape opportunities in Pennsylvania and gain an appreciation for the complex ecology that makes the entire state a marvelous place to garden. More than 100 illustrations.

A comprehensive reference and discussion about how to plan and develop landscape designs using native plants, with a focus on the northeastern counties of Pennsylvania. Covers 2,150 species of trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials and annuals, 100 kinds of regional soils, and 135 ecological communities with detailed plant associations for each. Also included are the 540 protected plant species in Pennsylvania, invasive species of local concern, plant sources and additional resources for native plant enthusiasts.

The second edition of The Plants of Pennsylvania is the authoritative guide to identifying the nearly 3,400 species of flowering plants, ferns, and gymnosperms native or naturalized in the Commonwealth. It features a complete reorganization into a genetic scheme that reflects recent advances in our understanding of plant relationships.

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.

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.

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