PENNYSTONE • RESOURCES • NOTEBOOK
The Pennystone Notebook
Articles related to designing and devleoping native plant landscapes, oriented especially for Northeastern Pennsylvania, but perhaps helpful to other areas as well.
First steps
Getting started - motives vary, opportunity is rich in a region of many habitats
One plant at a time - ease into native plant landscaping in a limited way
Nature drives design - a discussion natural and sustainable landscaping
Natives in conventional landscapes - swap exotics for natives and dramatic results
The myth of moisture requirements - all plants need water, and natives are no different
The myth of easy care - natives are not necessarily the path to an "no-care" garden
Size matters ... but only sometimes - scale essential for ecosystems, but not home gardens
Compressions of nature - pure ecosystems give us inspiration, not hard rules
Progressive planning - how to develop an evolving native plant landscape design
Start small, plan big - limited resources today and designs to grow into
Further reading, resources
A brief review of published materials found in the marketplace and online that may be helpful to the native plant enthusiast. Books - Reference materials worth owning, others worth finding at the library. Websites - Some sites with information sufficiently rich to merit bookmarking.
Latin spoken here - it may not be easy, but it's still the best option
The shades of native - how "native" is defined and where it becomes extreme
Casting a wide native net - limits to ponder when developing an initial design
Settling in
Vegetation mapping - an evolving science helps, but has understandable limits
The cultivar controversy - pros and cons of tweaking nature
Shades of shade - a standard set of definitions for really fuzzy terms
Elemental orogeny - create a mountain range on your kitchen table
Defeating deer - some battles you can't win, some you can
Deer fencing options - pros and cons of exclusionary fencing materials
Fence line strategies - tips for a successful fencing venture
Soils of the region
Detailed reports about each of the 100 soil series in northeastern Pennsylvania includes data helpful to gardeners and a simple, free process to identify yours.
Elementary soil science
An overview of soils - clay, sand, silt and the system of layers
The organic soil component - not much, but it really matters to a forest
Mull, mor and beyond - different kinds of humus from different kinds of trees
An overview of soil variability - soil series and glacial consequences
Soils and too much water - definitions of flooding, ponding and possibilities
A steady supply of moisture - the lessons of how ecosystems manage groundwater
The finer points of pH - while soil acidity matters for so many native plants
Soil categories - giving numerical values to all those loams
Regional ecosystems
In northeastern Pennsylvania's three geologic zones, 135 ecological communities have been identified and researched, providing useful plant association lists for native plant gardeners.
Models in nature
Slope dynamics and modeling - an introduction to ridge and valley opportunities
Noses, feet, toes and hollows - unique habitats along wiggling ridge lines
An overview of wetlands - an overview of what they are and how they work
Plant lists
More than 1,200 species of native plants have been recorded as having distribution in northeastern Pennsylvania, of which nearly 800 are commercially available.
Landscape design
Common concepts, uncommon plants - native plants and European traditions
The welcome mat - using natives to create curb appeal
Wildscaping theory and practice - modifying nature for a mini-wilderness
The challenge of Japanese design - natives are perfect for this art form
Natives in a relaxed landscape - pleasant back yards with a touch of nature
Tiny, intimate retreats - natives for little spaces ... or none at all
Paths, trails and metaphors - setting the tone for larger gardens
Hide and reveal design elements - adding mystery and interest to the native landscape
Fundamentals of rain gardens - nifty touches are really just a swell swale
Rills as landscape features - the ancient art of moving water around