Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines: A Guide to Using, Growing, and Propagating North American Woody Plants

by William Cullina

The Essential Source for Working with Native Tree Species
With Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, acclaimed horticulturalist and bestselling author William Cullina continues his authoritative three-part series on the native species of North America. This user-friendly guide encourages the concept of ecological gardening by working with strictly native flora, and presents a trove of helpful information with lively, easily accessible prose. This encyclopedic guide to temperate North American woody plants covers nearly one thousand native varieties, arranged alphabetically by genus and species. Writing with enjoyable, easy-to-read language and drawing from a deep wellspring of personal experience, Cullina discusses all of the important details you need to select and cultivate each species, including their taxonomic and genetic data, Latin name pronunciations, optimal geographic ranges, soil needs, light and habitat requirements, information about pruning and diseases, and propagation difficulty ratings. It also notes the value of each species for attracting wildlife and highlights the threat of invasive species. Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines is also beautifully illustrated with over 400 color photographs of each genus, and includes recommendations detailing conditions under which various species thrive. Cullina is also passionate about environmentally-responsible native plant landscaping and gives valuable advice with the larger environment in mind. This book is an indispensable resource for any landscape designer or home gardener's library.
Also available from Echo Point Books is William Cullina's Native Ferns, Moss, and Grasses, in hardcover (search ISBN 163561855X ) or paperback (search ISBN 1635618967 ).

Genres: Gardening, Reference, Nonfiction, Nature, Horticulture, Plants

352 pages, Hardcover

First published June 12, 2002

Reviews

[Jeremy Downey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative guide, but what really stands out is Cullina's prose, which is delightful. An example:

"Catalpas are course, ponderous trees that for a week or two each spring decorate themselves with large, frilled flowers possessing a hothouse beauty strangely at odds with the visage of the tree itself. The effect is akin to a heavyweight boxer in drag."

[David Bellangue · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the native plant lover, a must have book along with its companion the NEWS wildflower book. A great reference source that I visit time and again for information on these wonderful plants.

[Lynne]

Woody trees and shrubs are literally the backbone of our environment. This book is from the acclaimed author of "The New England Wild Flower Society Guide to Growing and Propagating Wildflowers of the United States and Canada". Here William Cullina has produced the "first national guide to using, growing, and propagating" the woody plants of of North America.

While that is a huge area to tackle, Cullina wields his beautiful prose to describe over 1000 of the most prevalent native plants along with their territories, plant associations and cultivation requirements. Included are hundreds of photos to whet the appetite, and hard-to-find information with regard to propagation. This book is invaluable for anyone looking for details about these natives and how to incorporate them into your landscape. It contains valuable appendices that include details on propagation, plant lists for size and eco-niches, and alternatives for commonly grown alien species.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with Cullina's other book on native wildflowers, this is best book out there on native shrubs, trees and vines. Whether or not you're going to plant a large or small garden, this book is a must for any gardener.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive treatment of the subject with many color photos.

Recommends more excellent selections than I ever would have time or space to plant.

Worth buying.

[Hisham]

a very important book

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Propagation techniques included.