Landscaping With Native Plants of Michigan

by Steiner, Lynn M.

• ISBN13: 9780760325384
• ISBN10: 0760325383
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-05-19
• Publisher: Voyageur Press

Summary

Landscaping with Native Plants of Michigan is designed for beginning and experienced gardeners who want to learn more about Michigans unique native-plant communities and how to successfully incorporate them into their home landscapes. It combines the practicality of a field guide with all the basic information homeowners need to create an effective landscape design. The plant profiles section includes comprehensive descriptions of more than 600 native plant species, subspecies, and varieties of flowers, trees, shrubs, vines, evergreens, grasses, and ferns that have grown in Michigan since the time before European settlement. Information on planting, maintenance, and landscape uses for each plant is also included. Readers will also gain many creative ideas from the section featuring Michigan gardeners who have successfully incorporated native plants into their home landscapes.

Author Biography

Lynn M. Steiner is one of the Midwest's best-known garden writers

Table of Contents

PART ONE: Introduction	6	(58)
Understanding Native Plants	8	(8)
Classifying Native Plants	9	(2)
Benefits of Native Plants	11	(1)
Native Plants in the Landscape	12	(2)
Native Plant Conservation	14	(2)
Michigan's Natural Plant Life	16	(16)
Michigan Forests	18	(1)
Conifer Forests	19	(1)
Pine Barrens	20	(1)
Northern Woodlands in the Landscape	20	(2)
Southern Deciduous Forests	22	(1)
Deciduous Forest in the Landscape	23	(3)
Southern Grasslands	26	(2)
Savanna and Prairie in the Landscape	28	(2)
Water and Shoreline Communities	30	(1)
Water in the Landscape	31	(1)
Gardening with Native Plants	32	(12)
Hardiness Zones and Frost Dates	32	(1)
Soils and Soil Preparation	32	(4)
Composting Basics	36	(1)
Starting a New Garden	37	(1)
Planting	37	(1)
Mulching	38	(1)
Weed Control	39	(1)
Watering	39	(1)
Grooming	40	(2)
Pest Management	42	(2)
Landscaping with Native Plants	44	(20)
Assessing Your Site	44	(1)
Choosing a Style	45	(1)
Placing Plants	46	(2)
Creating Mixed Borders	48	(2)
Shade Gardening	50	(2)
Attracting Butterflies	52	(2)
Creating a Hummingbird Habitat	54	(1)
Gardening among Rocks	55	(1)
Water Gardens and Bog Gardens	56	(1)
Rainwater Gardens	57	(1)
Hardscapes and Accents	58	(2)
Using Nonnative Plants	60	(1)
Turf Grasses and Groundcovers	60	(2)
Dealing with City Laws and Neighbors	62	(2)
PART TWO: Native Plant Profiles	64	(123)
Flowers and Groundcovers	64	(56)
Grasses and Sedges	120	(8)
Ferns	128	(8)
Evergreen Conifers	136	(8)
Deciduous Shrubs and Small Trees	144	(22)
Deciduous Trees	166	(17)
Vines	183	(4)
Bibliography	187	(1)
Index	188	(4)
About the Author	192