BOOKS

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In cooperation with Amazon.com, we offer the following books:

For more information about a particular book, click on the book's title.

The American Woodland Garden: Capturing the Spirit of the Deciduous Forest - by Rick Darke (Photographer)

In his unique and often thought-provoking new book, award-winning author Rick Darke promotes and stunningly illustrates a garden aesthetic based on the strengths and opportunities of the woodland, including play of light, sound, and scent; seasonal drama; and the architectural interest of woody plants.

An alphabetical listing of woodland plants offers useful advice for every garden, emphasizing native trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses, sedges, and flowering perennials that fit the forest aesthetic. More than 700 stunning photographs, taken by the author, show both the natural palette of plants in the wild and the effects that can be achieved with them in garden settings.

The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - by Elbert L. Little Jr., et al

Tree peepers everywhere will enjoy this guide which explores the incredible environment of our country's eastern forests-including seasonal features, habitat, range, and lore. Nearly 700 species of trees are detailed in photographs of leaf shape, bark, flowers, fruit, and fall leaves -- all can be quickly accessed making this the ideal field guide for any time of year.

Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines: A Guide to Using, Growing, and Propagating North American Woody Plants - by William Cullina

For gardeners, for landscape professionals, and for anyone who cares about preserving the natural world, NATIVE TREES, SHRIBS, AND VINES is the first national guide to using, growing, and propagating North American woody plants. Written in lively, informative language and illustrated with more than two hundred photographs, William Cullina's book is a comprehensive reference to almost one thousand native woody plants. An invaluable guide for naturalists, restorationists, nursery owners, landscape architects, and designers as well as gardeners, it points out that ecological gardening offers specific benefits to the individual as well as the environment. Even more than wildflowers, native trees, shrubs, and vines are essential to providing the food and shelter that attract birds and insects to the garden. And plants that are native to an area are far easier to grow and maintain than ordinary cultivated garden plants.

America's Famous and Historic Trees: From George Washington's Tulip Poplar to Elvis Presley's Pin Oak - by Jeffrey G. Meyer

America's Famous and Historic Trees tells the stories of various trees that Meyer and his cohorts rescued or propagated: oftentimes, when trees were going to be cut down, he and his workers headed off the bulldozers, rescuing the tree with their massive tree hoe. Other trees--like the Indian Marker Pecan in southeast Dallas--were propagated before they died. Some of the ancestor trees still stand in their historic places--like Elvis Presley's Pin Oaks on the grounds of Graceland. Chapters here follow the trials and tribulations of specific trees, and end with "how to propagate" instructions for a wide variety of species: sycamore, cottonwood, bur oak, magnolia. This book is not about photographs--what images are included are simply of big trees alongside houses or suburban developments, awkward and misplaced, like an elegant old man in a multiplex. Meyer hopes to inspire his readers to plant and nurture forests that will outlive them, and to rescue trees from the unknown forces of the future by revering their pasts. --Emily White

American Horticultural Society Plant Propagation: The Fully Illustrated Plant-by-Plant Manual of Practical Techniques - by American Horticultural Society

A practical guide to the successful propagation of all garden plants. About 1,500 entries are organized alphabetically within each plant group, telling which method to use, when to do it, and what degree of skill is required; which seeds need special treatment before sowing and how to provide the conditions to bring about a good rate of germination; the average success rate for each plant, how big a yield to expect, and how long it should take to mature or flower; and how to take appropriate cuttings and make sure they root successfully. Contains approximately 1,800 color photographs and illustrations. Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses - by Michael A. Dirr

Serving as an ideal companion to Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs (below), this classic manual offers thorough information on the woody trees and shrubs used in landscaping. Aside from each plant's physical description, there's also an elaboration of hardiness, growth rate, culture, diseases and insects, landscape value, cultivars, and propagation. Library Journal 1999.

Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia - by Michael A. Dirr

This bestselling encyclopedia, illustrated with brilliant photographs, describes the best woody plants adapted to cooler climates, showing both habit and details of more than 500 species, and including some 700 additional cultivars and varieties. Brief cultural information is supplied for each plant, as well as Dirr's perceptive comments and opinions.