Customer Reviews

Growing California Native Plants (California Natural History Guides)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

I have really gotten into native landscaping particularly because my biology background and the fact that they require less maintenance and water. The author really gave a lot of insight into growing native plants to California. This is a pretty detailed book, which might be a bit for much for some readers, but if you are really into the subject I would recommend it. If you are looking for nice photos of examples and plant palettes and a quicker read there other great books on Amazon to fill that need. This book is really one of the forerunners of the native landscape movement.

This is a book that you will keep in your library for many years to come. It is full of information that will help you indentify grasses and plants on any hike you take.. or just to find out which plant you would like to include in your garden or landscape.. great reference book to have..