A comprehensive, illustrated reference covering nearly one thousand native woody plants discusses the benefits of using such trees, shrubs, and vines in ecological gardening to provide food and shelter to attract birds and butterflies and offers helpful instructions on how to select, cultivate, and propagate a variety of native species.
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."
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.
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.
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.