Native Treasures

Disciplines Sciences Natural History Plant

About the Book

Nevin Smith has spent his life growing plants and exploring the wild California landscape. A highly respected horticulturalist and practitioner who is also a gifted writer, Smith shares his years of experience growing native California plants in this lively, informative book. Rather than being a systematic “how-to” manual, Native Treasures combines Smith’s personal thoughts, sometimes maverick opinions, and matchless expertise with practical advice on selected groups of native plants and their culture. The author explains how California’s diverse terrain, climate, and geology support a wealth of plant species—more than 6000—and offers suggestions for designing with most of the major natives in cultivation, as well as with some more obscure but garden-worthy groups. With an engaging narrative and a wealth of illustrations, this ode to beauty and diversity celebrates California’s rich store of native plants and encourages readers to visit them in their native haunts and invite them into their gardens.

* Describes the use of plants in varying landscapes and gardens

* State of the art propagation techniques

* Beautifully illustrated with color photos and line drawings

About the Author

Nevin Smith is Director of Horticulture at Suncrest Nurseries Inc. in Watsonville, California and an occasional columnist for Fremontia, the journal of the California Native Plant Society.

Reviews

“Smith’s lyrical writing and personal observations make this as much a meditation on the diversity and beauty of California’s flora as a practical guide for gardeners. . . .Smith’s self--described “ode to beauty and diversity” does more than teach us how to grow the plants; it inspires us to explore wild places to better understand and enjoy them.”—Bay Nature

“The knowledge pool for Mediterranean-climate gardeners is now deeper and richer, thanks to this distinctive work. . . . the comments are passionate, reflective, loving and sometimes cutting, like those of a good serious teacher. The layout is elegant, the photographs (most by the author) fabulous. Curious gardeners with a passion for beauty will not be disappointed.”—Los Angeles Times

“Lavishly illustrated with color plates and line drawings, this informative nook not only encourages you to think “native” when selecting plants for your yard, but it will make you want to visit their native habitats as well.”—Monterey County-Herald

“Filled with practical information on California’s native plants, where to find them and how to make them a part of your home landscaping plan, this is a must read for gardeners.”—Silas Spaeth The Californian