Explore back to school deals
FREE Returns
Ships from
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day refund / replacement
30-day refund / replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Plants with Purpose: Twenty-Five Ecosystem Multitaskers (Gideon Lincecum Nature and Environment Series) Paperback – May 13, 2025


Purchase options and add-ons

Many gardeners in the southwest are perfectly satisfied with beautiful, ornamental plants and cultivate lush lawns despite the environmental consequences of doing so. Other gardeners, however, have moved to embrace pollinator plants that provide resources to bees and butterflies. And some have embraced the xeriscape approach, which uses indigenous plant life to minimize the need for water. But this is just the beginning.

Plants with Purpose speaks to gardeners who are mindful of the environmental impact of traditional ornamental plants and offers twenty-five alternative plantings that are beautiful, viable, and functional. Whether edible, therapeutic, medicinal, or attractive to pollinators, the plants in this collection provide a pathway to a more environmentally sustainable and functional garden and landscape. From agarita (for jelly and tarts) to wild garlic (edible greens), this selection of plants is curated specifically for warm climates and are beneficial to the larger ecosystem.

In addition to history and description, each plant entry provides basic information and care tips such as plant type, light/water/soil needs, size, bloom and time, fruit, and availability. Many entries contain recipes, tea ideas, and herbal remedies. This “secret life of plants” provides a counternarrative to the standard texts on gardening and landscaping.

Illustrated throughout with 200 beautiful color photographs of plants in their various stages of development and showcasing their multiple applications, Plants with Purpose will encourage readers to experiment with their gardening for a deeper engagement with plant life and the environment.

Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

Editorial Reviews

Review

“If you want to re-naturalize your yard, but are afraid of your HOA, this is the book for you. Integrating Monika Maeckle's suggested plants into your landscaping will turn your property into a pollinator waystation without anyone but you knowing you've gone wild!”—Mark "Merriwether" Vorderbruggen, author of Foraging: Explore Nature’s Bounty and Turn Your Foraged Finds into Flavorful Feasts -- Mark "Merriwether" Vorderbruggen

"Delight your senses in a habitat garden that satisfies a quest for beauty among treasured wildlife. Monika Maeckle takes the guesswork out of plant choices that live in harmony with their surroundings to heighten seasonal admiration and engagement. Whether new to gardening or looking for new ideas, here’s where to start to get better acquainted."—Linda Lehmusvirta, producer,
Central Texas Gardener, Austin PBS -- Linda Lehmusvirta

“Considering taking up gardening, but for more than the sake of decorating your yard?  Monika Maeckle’s
Plants with a Purpose is just the ticket.  This well-designed and illustrated book will introduce you to 25 easy-to-grow Southwest favorites that meet the needs of both wildlife and your tastebuds. A bit of history, and recipes for each plant, round out this delightful read.” —Douglas Tallamy, author of Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard -- Douglas Tallamy

About the Author

MONIKA MAECKLE, a longtime journalist and nature writer based in San Antonio, earned her master gardener certificate in 2004. She is the founder and director of the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival, which is now in its eighth year, and founded the Texas Butterfly Ranch website in 2010. She is also the author of The Monarch Butterfly Migration: Its Rise and Fall.

Product details

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Monika Maeckle
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.