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Websites worth a click

A number of websites offer useful reference services for native plant enthusiasts nationwide and may merit a bookmark for fastest access to detailed information

The plants database at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Search by Latin or common name, and includes obsolete references. Provides taxonomic information, a photo, a continental distribution map (and many states can link to county-level distribution). Links at the bottom of the page are the most helpful for any published detail about a specific species.

The Pennsylvania Flora Project from the botany department of the Morris Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania offers a helpful database that could be considered the final word on whether a species is native to Pennsylvania. Companion to the book Plants of Pennsylvania (see information at right), it allows users a variety of search options, including counties and watersheds. Only flaw: the distribution maps work only in Internet Explorer.

For habitat and botanical information, eFloras provides comprehensive data on many, but not all, species.

Kemper Center for Home Gardening of the Missouri Botanical Garden provides general descriptive information about many species with which it is familiar and how to grow it; information tends to be oriented to Missouri.

US Forest Service Fire Effects Information System is primarily concerned with research on the impact of wildfires on plants and their ecosystems but often shares very detailed material about habitats and associations.

The Native Plants Network at the University of Idaho is primarily a peer-reviewed very serious research publication, the Native Plant Journal. But our interest is in the propagation protocol database, which shares all the research on the species from various resources.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center shares with us general information, images, plant characteristics, distribution, growing conditions, and propagation information (sometimes linking back to the Native Plants Network, eFloras and USDA).

From the University of Michigan/Dearborn comes ethnobotany data available on any native species, providing if nothing else interesting anecdotes.

The Plants for a Future database, provides research on edible and medicinal uses for plants along with culture and propagation data.

Plant Information Online, a free service of the University of Minnesota Libraries, searches nurseries for sources of live plants and seed.

About Pennystone

The Pennystone project provides information relating to sustainable landscape practices using native species, with emphasis on the northeastern counties of Pennsylvania.

PENNYSTONE  •  RESOURCES  •  NOTEBOOK

Books: essentials, helpfuls and rentals

A book for the neighborhood

A Gardener's Guide to Native Plants of Northeastern Pennsylvania covers all the soils of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne County; 135 regional ecological communities for modeling and inspiration; all 2,150 species of native plants found in Pennsylvania, and much more. Not intended to be a field guide, but more of an owners reference manual for landscaping with native plants.Order a copy.

For the bookshelf

The reference value of some native plant books published over the years is so strong that they merit consideration as permanent residents of the home library. The best two are no-nonsense, text-rich books that should form a foundation, especially for those just getting started with natives, experienced gardeners or not.

Perhaps the best single book is Growing Wildflowers - A Gardeners Guide by Marie Sperka, first published in 1973 and reprinted in paperback in 1984. Available via online vendors for as little as 80 cents, this 277-page book covers a substantial range of species and carries priceless propagation tips for each.

A close second may be Growing Woodland Plants by Clarence and Eleanor Birdseye, originally published in 1951, which complements Sperka, particularly in the discussion of forest soils and soil pH preferences for a very long list of species in more than 200 pages of text. It is available for as little as $1.67 a copy via online used book vendors.

Next on the list is Growing and Propagating Wild Flowers by Harry R. Phillips, published in 1985 by the University of North Carolina Press. It has a bit of southern influence, but is nicely organized in 300 pages and can be found used for around $7.

Also worth noting is Growing and Propagating Wildflowers by William Cullina, available used for around $20. Cullina has written several thoughtful books (including shrubs and grasses) and provides a considerable amount of useful information, especially on propagation. It's an over-sized, coffee-table style book with many fine images that looks at the entire United States and tries to cover the high points of each region.

Specialized reference books

For those pursuing propagation from seed in a very serious way, several books have immense value:

Seeds - Ecology, Biogeography and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination by Carol C. and Jerry M. Baskin is essential. Available from used book vendors, about $75.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, self published by Norman C. Deno, discusses more than 2,500 species. Be sure to also order the First Supplement. Order directly from the author, online, about $25
Collecting, Processing and Germinating Seeds of Wildland Plants by James A. Young and Cheryl G. Young is helpful, about $20
Plant Propagation from The American Horticultural Society discusses many ornamentals, including some natives, but provides a reasonable foundation, about $18.
Seeds of Woody Plants in the United States, USDA Agriculture Handbook 450, published in 1974, may be more difficult to find but is extremely comprehensive, about $50.
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael A. Dirr is an excellent 1,000-page reference that covers native and introduced species. About $45.

Regarding specific groups of plants:

Moss Gardening by George Schenk is an inspring introduction (about $16), but Outstanding Mosses and Liverworts of Pennsylvania and Nearby States, by Dr. Susan Munch is an essential reference and field guide; about $20.
For pteridophyte enthusiasts, the top choice is Fern Grower's Manual by Barbara Joe Hoshizaki and Robbin C. Moran, about $38. Right behind is Ferns for American Gardens by John. T. Mickel. This is a smaller text, but fairly comprehensive and user-friendly and about $9.
Kalmia - Mountain Laurel and Related Species by Richard Jaynes is the definitive work on the subject of Pennsylvania's state flower and one of the dominant species in dry acidic woodlands, about $23 (buy it directly from Broken Arrow Nursery).

On the subject of native plants, identification and general habitat information:

The Plants of Pennsylvania by Ann Fowler Rhoads and Timothy A. Block is probably the last word on whether it is or isn't. The thousand-page text describes range in terms of areas of the state, but the companion website (http://www.paflora.org/) identifies counties and watersheds, and allows users to build lists from various criteria. A bit large to be a field guide, but is the summary of decades of investigation into distribution of plants statewide. About $55.
The ultimate authority, however, is likely to be Wildflowers of the United States, published by the New York Botanical Garden in 1965. Produced in six "volumes" of multiple parts each, this body of work is vast in scale but even then stuck for space when it attempts to cram thousands of species into even this massive collection. Sadly, more detail can be found on the Internet these days. From $40 to $200, depending on source.

On the subject of ethnobotany:

The most often cited text is Native American Ethnobotany by Daniel E. Moerman. It is national in scale and indexed by tribes as well. About $50.

On the subject of ecology:

In a sobering and engaging book Bringing Nature Home by Douglas W. Tallamy, the critical relationship of native species, insects and the larger environment makes a strong case for sustainable landscaping. Includes lists of plants and an extensive bibliography for those who wish to read further.

Among useful general reference books:

Taylor's Dictionary for Gardeners by Frances Tenenbaum is an excellent reference especially for beginners who are unfamiliar with the bewildering array of terms we frequently encounter. About $2.
Forest Soils by Harold Lutz and Robert F. Chandler, published in 1946, is a deep, detailed study of the topic that can be found among used book vendors, about $5.

Get from the public library

All these books have interesting content but may not qualify as reference books. However, they offer insights and ideas, some of which may justify purchase.

Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East by Carolyn Summers. Makes an exceptional case for landscaping with natives (similar to Tallamy), discusses indigenous alternatives to invasives and exotics in the home landscape and gives suggestions for a variety of garden styles and types.

Native Alternatives of Invasive Plants from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. A very detailed and well illustrated guide to thoroughly squash the claim "I know it's invasive but I like it in my garden."

Native Plants of the Northeast by Donald J. Leopold. Similar to Cullina, but limited to the northeastern area of the United States; includes natives from outside the region that may grow in the northeastern U.S.

Growing and Propagating Showy Native Woody Plants by Richard E. Bir. Sound research and interesting anecdotal information

Natural Landscaping - Designing with Native Plant Communities by John Diekelmann and Robert Schuster. An interesting discussion about how to formulate a good plan for home landscapes.

Wild Flowers and How to Grow them by Edwin Steffek. Published in 1954, it was among the first to cover common species in the home landscape; has some good old-fashioned advice.

Wild Flowers for Your Garden by Helen S. Hull. Published in 1952, this is a collection of contributed species from state garden clubs and exudes a certain charm.

Gardening with Trees and Shrubs by Trevor Cole is oriented primarily to eastern Canada but is kind enough to touch on the northeastern states as well. Among its interesting features are good and bad features of each species and includes natives in the design discussion.

Trees of Pennsylvania by Charles Fergus includes a considerable amount of anecdotal information, lore and commercial applications of timber.

Wildflower Perennials for Your Garden by Bebe Miles, published in 1976, is a nice summary of the more common species with good notes on landscaping uses and cultivation.

Botanica North America by Marjorie Harris has a lot of heft to its 700 oversized pages, but only hits the high points; it illustrates how difficult it is to be really comprehensive on a continental scale.

Wildflowers by Rick Imes skims quickly across the United States in 160 pages and shares quick profiles of the more common species.

The Wildflower Gardener's Guide by Henry W. Art comes in regional editions, but while the 180 pages are handsomely illustrated, he can only touch on the more common species.

An Encyclopedia of Shade Perennials by W. George Schmid contains a formidable amount of information in its 350 oversized pages, and does touch on many natives - but the book is oriented to "shade" not "native."

The Wild Lawn Handbook by Stevie Daniels is an interesting discussion of alternatives to traditional lawns, especially on the difference between meadows and prairies models. Examples and lists are from across the United States.

Several books discuss landscaping in woodlands or shade, and that usually includes introduced species. Nonetheless, ideas and inspirations abound:

The Natural Shade Garden by Ken Druse is one of the best for anyone working with shade as he discusses texture, light, patterns and the like and recognizes that some landscapes are very small indeed.
The American Woodland Garden, by Rick Darke, is a pleasant discourse on natural aesthetics that tends to focus on a single woodland, with exceptional photographs and a handsome coffee-table look.
Natural Landscaping by Sally Roth works energetically to encourage designs that emulate natural style in home landscapes. Some natives are included in the discussion.
Landscaping with Native Plants, by Cordelia Penn, published in 1982, focuses on the most common species and how to develop back yard landscape design.
The Wild Gardener in the Wild Landscape by Warren Kenfield, published in 1966, is an interesting discussion of theory on natural design with plant notes that include natives.
Landscaping with Nature by Jeff Cox is a nice read on how to apply natural concepts to backyard gardens.
The Woodland Garden by Robert Gilmore discusses design and hardscaping for issues related to shade.
The Woodland Garden by Roy Forster and Alex Downie offers a bit more detail and good illustrations.
The Shady Garden by Jane Taylor addresses different kinds of shade and how to work with it, with nice inspiring illustrations.
Made for the Shade by Judy Glattstein concentrates on moderate to low-light plants and good anecdotal information on a number of native species, making it a helpful cross reference.
The Complete Shade Gardener by George Schenk similarly discusses some natives and some good shade gardening design and technique.

Field guides are interesting resources that may suggest species to consider for individual landscape plans. Some offer more detail than others. Among them are:

Wildflowers of Pennsylvania by Mary Joy Haywood and Phyllis Testal Monk (spiral bound). Nice field guide, but not comprehensive.
Common Wild Flowers of the Northeastern United States, the New York Botanical Garden. Covers about 1,000 species, so the emphasis is on the word "common."
North Woods Wildflowers by Doug Ladd. Range includes southeastern Canada and is not as comprehensive as NY Botanical.
Newcomb's Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb. Nice illustrations and covers the most common species.
Wildflowers of the Eastern United States by Wilbur H. and Marion B. Duncan. Somewhat difficult to use with text in one part of the book and images in the back half, but discusses habitat in better detail than most.
Wild Orchids of the Northeastern United States by Paul Martin Brown, if nothing else, astonishes us with the enormous variety of native orchids to be found in the region. Maps describe fairly specific ranges.
Three books, Swamp and Bog, Field and Roadside and Forest and Thicket by John Eastman comprise an interesting set that calls our attention to associates that form plant communities and their value in our design efforts.