100 easy-to-grow native plants For American gardens in temperate zones

Johnson defines native plants as those that grew here before European settlement, that is, native to various regions of North America. And by "easy-to-grow," she means plants that require very little maintenance, such as watering, fertilizing, weeding, pruning, etc. The common and botanical name, height, and blooming period of each plant is given, along with its soil, sun, shade, and moisture requirements. Other data includes each plant's native habitat and range (Northeast, prairies, or Northwest), description, propagation, good companions, and related species. Such familiar plants as bee balm, black-eyed Susan, Christmas fern, creeping phlox, Jacob's ladder, purple coneflower, and Virginia bluebells are listed. Each listing includes an attractive color photograph by Andrew Leyerle. There are also 12 plant charts in color, organized by region, habitat, and conditions. Replete with useful ideas and information. --George Cohen

Foreword to the New Edition In the years since the first edition of this book was published, interest in native plants has grown exponentially. When I give talks and slide shows, it seems that almost everyone in the audience has at least some native plants in their gardens. Cruising the aisles at nurseries, I notice that many now have sections devoted to native plants. And every year, the number of non-profit organizations that include native plant education as part of their mandate increases. I think that the roots of this interest can be found in the yearning many of us feel for a better, more environmentally sane world. We might feel relatively powerless in the face of global environmental problems, but in the purview of our gardens -- the tiny bits of land we steward -- we can make a positive difference, creating small places of beauty and ecosystem health. While we no doubt need more powerful tools to effect change on a large scale (climate change and endangered species and spaces come to mind), I'm convinced that a simple trowel is a grand place to start the necessary (and, in moments of hope, I think inevitable) transformation of our culture from nature dominance to nature partnership. Dig in -- the roots of change need to be anchored deep ... Much of the species information in this edition remains the same as in the first edition, as does the section on propagation. The nursery listings have been changed and updated. There are a number of references in the introduction to my own backyard garden. I have not changed this text, but I have moved since I wrote this book. My new, relatively small, downtown garden (all lawn when we first moved in a couple of years ago) offers endless opportunities for experimentation -- thirty new trees and counting, a small meadow that will get shadier with each year, eventually turning (returning, really) to woodland, a shrub garden out front for the birds, a fern and sedge garden for my partner, and a profound lesson in time and transformation for me ... Excerpted from 100 Easy-to-Grow Native Plants: For American Gardens in Temperate Zones by Lorraine Johnson All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.