Customer Reviews

Native Plants in the Coastal Garden: A Guide for Gardeners in the Pacific Northwest

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This is a revised and updated version of a classic book about gardening with native plants in B.C and the Pacific Northwest. The writers, one with a strong belief in the role of native plants in ecological restoration, the other a botanist who spent 12 years as Assistant Curator in the Herbarium at the University of Victoria, have together produced the most useful book about the topic.

Written with the gardener in mind (and a gardener who might not initially be knowledgeable about, or committed to, gardening with native plants) this book is both readable and packed with precisely focussed information.

The book is in three parts. The first part, "Working with Native Plants" covers topics such as designing the garden, what to do about lawns, propagation and gardening for wildlife. I particularly liked the ideas for hedges - eliminating rows of pyramidal cedars and planting native deciduous shrubs. Even, dare I say it, a hedgerow of mixed native shrubs, which would make a more useful wildlife corridor.

The second section, "Plants and their Habitats" picks up the theme of plant communities and their cultural requirements, describing in detail forest, shoreline, mountain habitats, etc., and native plants that would grow well there and be valuable to wildlife. The third section is a regional source guide, suggesting sources for plants, further information and education in both Canada and the US. Throughout the book each chapter has plants lists and a generous reading list.

The writers, while offering a vast amount of information, are aware that many gardeners will want to move towards this kind of gardening gradually, and the book is full of suggestions for doing this. There are so many reasons for using native plants - for starters they maintain and restore our heritage of local plants and help sustain wildlife. But for those who wish their gardens to be avant garde the writers point out that native plant gardening is the leading edge of gardening today and that the focus is moving away from colour (bright beds of annuals) and towards more emphasis on form and texture. This book will help all Pacific Northwest gardeners have more trouble-free, ecologically responsible and leading edge gardens.

Looking for a real look at the 'Nature of Natural Gardening' in the NW-then this is your book. In a very readable format, you are taken from what naturally grows here and why-then into how to enhance and embellish the natural flora and fauna. Regional references for geographic areas are given, so you can find your area defined. A truly wonderful book for those of us who appreciate what nature has provided for us to begin with and how to succeed with appropriate "revisions" that will flourish in these climatic conditions.

This is a revised and updated version of a classic book about gardening with native plants in B.C and the Pacific Northwest. The writers, one with a strong belief in the role of native plants in ecological restoration, the other a botanist who spent 12 years as Assistant Curator in the Herbarium at the University of Victoria, have together produced the most useful book about the topic.

Written with the gardener in mind (and a gardener who might not initially be knowledgeable about, or committed to, gardening with native plants) this book is both readable and packed with precisely focussed information.

The book is in three parts. The first part, "Working with Native Plants" covers topics such as designing the garden, what to do about lawns, propagation and gardening for wildlife. I particularly liked the ideas for hedges - eliminating rows of pyramidal cedars and planting native deciduous shrubs. Even, dare I say it, a hedgerow of mixed native shrubs, which would make a more useful wildlife corridor.

The second section, "Plants and their Habitats" picks up the theme of plant communities and their cultural requirements, describing in detail forest, shoreline, mountain habitats, etc., and native plants that would grow well there and be valuable to wildlife. The third section is a regional source guide, suggesting sources for plants, further information and education in both Canada and the US. Throughout the book each chapter has plants lists and a generous reading list.

The writers, while offering a vast amount of information, are aware that many gardeners will want to move towards this kind of gardening gradually, and the book is full of suggestions for doing this. There are so many reasons for using native plants - for starters they maintain and restore our heritage of local plants and help sustain wildlife. But for those who wish their gardens to be avant garde the writers point out that native plant gardening is the leading edge of gardening today and that the focus is moving away from colour (bright beds of annuals) and towards more emphasis on form and texture. This book will help all Pacific Northwest gardeners have more trouble-free, ecologically responsible and leading edge gardens.

Gardeners in the Pacific Northwest have a fine revised, updated edition of April Pettinger and Brenda Costanzo's Native Plants In The Coastal Garden to enjoy: when first published in 1996, its focus on native plants was revolutionary and filled a need for basic information: this new edition includes updated facts. From using native plants in new ways to locating nurseries and designing a native garden, this is packed with fine material.

This is a well meaning book that like the field mouse being designed by committee ends up becoming an elephant. Avoid it, unless the concept of native planting is new to you and your not sure if you should respect it?

Deficiencies: There are six, double sided, pages (generally 2 photos per side) of color photographs, totaling 26 color photos. Additionally, there are three "site plans" illuminating the authors concepts of native planting. The site plans are juvenile and accordingly, serve no purpose. The photographs are grouped in two seperate locations in the book, three pages per location. The photographs are of individual native plants and/or groupings of native plants. This would be fine if there were only 26 available and appropriate native plants; however there are thousands (probably tens of tousands) of native plants in the Pacific Northwest.

Over two hundred plants are recommended in Part 1: Working with Native Plants and many others are mentioned in passing. Part 2: The Plants and Their Habitats, describes less than one hundred plants in detail (Physical charteristics, where the plant is likely to be found as well as propagation and cultivation information). Many Part 1 recommended plants are included in the Part 2 detail descriptions. This only leaves out thousands of plants. All of the these included plants are covered by 26 color photographs.

Additionally, Part 3: Regional Source Guide is heavily weighted to Canada/British Columbia. More than half of all listed resources are in Canada. Oregon, where I live is provided with the fewest. This reflects the bias of the book.

Positives: I'm sure the authors meant well. At 232 pages it's short and lightweight (double meaning there) and when you throw it in the trash bin it does not make much noise.