"Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East, by Carolyn Summers, was originally published in 2010. Since then, even more has been learned about the ways gardeners can help to bring back insect, bird, and other wildlife populations. Recent news about insect and bird population crashes have helped to move the public opinion needle towards widespread acceptance of the need to include native plants in our landscape. Finally, there is tremendous "buzz" now around native plant gardens, also known as pollinator gardens. At the same time, because native plants have not been in the landscaping mainstream forever, there is a need for books that offer model designs and plant lists for those designers making the switch to native plants, as well as do-it-yourself homeowners. This revised edition, co-authored with daughter and landscape designer Kate Brittenham, provides guidance on recent research that targets the use of the most important native plants, the most effective ways to use them, and explores issueswith cultivars and exotic plants. This edition is further enhanced with new graphic designs and improved plant lists to make native plants more accessible to a wider audience. The authors hope this book will support the many well-intentioned efforts to transition from laws and restore formerly invaded properties with these simple, beautiful landscaping solutions. The states covered in this book are CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, and WV"--
In this fully revised second edition of the classic guide, mother and daughter landscape designers Carolyn Summers and Kate Brittenham draw upon the most recent research on sustainability to help you plant gardens that are both chic and eco-friendly. Both home gardeners and professionals will appreciate their detailed descriptions of indigenous plants that nurture native insects and birds.
As recent years have seen alarming declines of insect and bird populations in many states, more gardeners have discovered the importance of including native plants in order to nurture these pollinators and sustain local ecosystems. But when so many popular landscaping designs involve exotic cultivars and invasive plant species, how can you create a garden that is both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically responsible?
In this fully revised second edition of the classic guide Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East, gardening expert Carolyn Summers draws on the most recent research on sustainable landscaping. She is joined in this edition by her daughter, landscape designer Kate Brittenham, offering an intergenerational dialogue about the importance of using indigenous plants that preserve insect and bird habitats. The practical information they provide is equally useful for home gardeners and professionals, including detailed descriptions of keystone trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, and grasses that are native to the eastern United States. Accompanied by entirely new illustrations and updated plant lists, they offer chic yet eco-friendly landscape designs fully customized for different settings, from suburban yards to corporate office parks.
The states covered in this book are CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WI, and WV, as well as southern Quebec and Ontario.