Native Plants in the Coastal Gardens: A Guide for Gardeners in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest

by April Pettinger, Brenda Costanzo

This updated version of the classic guide to gardening with native plants on the West Coast offers comprehensive information on identifying plant habitats, attracting wildlife, and locating regional plants and seeds. The authors describe the key concepts of gardening with native species, and share their expertise in turning a backyard into a lush coastal paradise. With color photographs and the latest gardening wisdom, this essential guidebook is now better than ever.

Genres: Nature, Reference, Gardening, Plants, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly good overview of gardening with native plants, but the title is extremely misleading. Coastal Gardens? Doesn't that sound like gardening near the ocean? Instead, this book deals with the major Pacific Northwest region, from SE Alaska down to the Willamette Valley, and all the way up into the Cascades. Indeed, it touches on gardening with native plants in forest regions and mountain habitats, wetlands and grassland meadows, so I think the title may keep it from reaching a broader audience.

As a former owner of a native nursery, I did learn a few things from this book, and enjoyed the brief history of landscape design and how it has changed over time. Could definitely have used more pictures with the plant descriptions, but this is a good general starting guide for people interested in landscaping with natives. For more pictures, more plants, and broader descriptions, though, I would recommend Arthur R. Kruckeberg's "Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest."

[Kerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has some good info scattered throughout, but I just can't get through it. I don't have the patience for a garden book without photos. Seriously, what's the point of rattling off all these species of plants that I could put in my garden if I have to use a second source just to find out what they look like?

There some good overall advice, though, about mulching, placement, etc, etc.

(I also didn't realize when I bought it that it only covers the Pacific NW down to Eugene, OR... so I'm a little to South of the Border to be able to get fussy about the species it suggests).

[Debbie Teashon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is in my library of 1000s of gardening books, and I've found it to be useful at times when I am researching native plants, and included the book in my bibliography. If you are looking for a large coffee table book full of pictures, it won't be for you. But if you are looking for good information for coastal gardening with native plants, this book is a handy guide. It may not be the end-all book on the subject, but I find it has been useful.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be useful to keep on hand for the list of plants, which includes their heights and water/sun needs. It has no photos, and only a few hand-drawn sketches for fun--none labeled-- so isn't a good resource all on its own. Useful as a starting place, but a newer volume that has similar information along with photos would be better.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dated in places (I read the 1996 version and there is apparently now an updated edition), and could be substantially improved with color photographs of all or at least some of the plants mentioned. That said, it is a good read about adding native plants (and wildlife) to your garden, including some helpful propagation tips for some of our native Pacific Northwest plant species.