Growing California Native Plants

By Katherine L. Greenberg and Marjorie G. Schmidt

Book Overview

This is the first comprehensive book to aid the gardener in making a start with native plants. It takes the gardener through the beginning steps of identifying native plants, evaluating them in relation to conventional garden materials, and learning detailed techniques of propagation and culture. Annuals, perennials (including ferns), bulbs, shrubs and trees are included--with about 350 species treated in detail, and many others included in charts and listings for quick reference.

A few California native plants have been in cultivation for a hundred years or so, but widespread consciousness of natives is relatively recent. It has arisen partly because of the recent drought, which natives survived more readily than exotics, and partly because of growing awareness that many natives have become rare or endangered, and may be preserved and perpetuated by cultivation for their ornamental qualities. The book is in full accord with the new trend in landscaping in which the environment, climate, and restricted water supplies are taken into account--not only for gardens but also for parks, roadside plantings, and other large-scale landscaping.

Because propagation and cultural methods for many native plants have never been recorded, the author spent years gathering information through correspondence. She has also had personal experience in growing natives for more than 30 years. The result is the first complete, practical, convenient guide for growing native plants. It will be essential for the experienced gardener and the beginner alike.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520037626
• ISBN13: 9780520037625
• Release Date: December 1980
• Publisher: Perseus - Ucal Pod
• Length: 388 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.8" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Very informative.

This is an excellent book for using native plants in the garden. The only draw back is the lack of useful photographs. Other than that I would have given it 5 stars.

The Native Garden Primer

Expressing my opinion of Mrs. Schmidt's book in words is like being asked to explain why I love my mother, my dog, ice cream or back rubs. But that's because I'm a native plant enthusiast. To the lover of pansies and petunias, agapanthus and juniper, this book would hold little charm or interest. However, if you have any interest in California natives, Mrs. Schmidt's book is essential to your gardening library. In it, Mrs. Schmidt shares with readers her years of experience gardening with California's garden-worthy native plants. Mrs. Schmidt discusses hundereds of trees, shrubs, ferns and wildflowers, detailing where each is found in the wild, the conditions it needs to flourish in the garden, and the plant combinations which will show it to greatest advantage. Mrs. Smith's writing is crisp, vibrant, and incorporates enough technical jargon to satisfy the botanists without alienating beginners. Were I forced, at gunpoint, to make one criticism of the book, I would have to say that the color photographs are somewhat amateurish-looking. I have seen other books with prettier color plates, but have found none which rival Growing California Native Plants for its overall usefullness and enjoyability.