Gardening With Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for Northwest gardeners
Review: If you want to identify native plants, get an Audubon guide. If you want to grow them, get this book. It discusses cultivation methods; soils and other environmental factors; where in the region specific plants will live; where to find (and where NOT to get) plants, seeds, and cuttings; what sorts of insects and diseases harm our native plants; etc. Good reference for any Northwest gardener from Oregon through BC, whether you're east or west of the Cascades. Some historical uses for specific plants (culinary, medicinal, etc.) are also briefly given. The book's real drawbacks are its lack of color pictures (there are very few), and its sometimes slightly erroneous descriptions. I suggest coupling this book on growing native plants with a good Audubon guide if you're trying to identify what plants are growing wild on your land.

Rating:
Summary: Comprehesive reference on NW gardening
Review: Of the books I own on NW native plant gardening, this book is my most often referenced. It is full of detailed information about a vast array of NW native plants. Dr. Kruckeberg's enthusiasm for the propogation and stewardship of NW natives shines throughout the book. However, this is not a book about landscaping or effective planting combinations; it is a scholarly work that may be useful to a homeowner interested in native plants and their care, or to the professional landscaper in need of detailed reference information. I am impressed by the breadth of the author's knowledge.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent reference book
Review: This is a "must-have" for anyone interested in PNW native plants. (As is Pojar & McKinnon's book, which is more like an encyclopedia with colored photos). The author knows his stuff -- the only frustration is that he sometimes sings the praises of plants that are extremely difficult to find in the nursery trade (except maybe at his wife's own nursery.)