Synopses & Reviews
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 and#147;how-toand#8221; manual,
Native Treasures combines Smithand#8217;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 Californiaand#8217;s diverse terrain, climate, and geology support a wealth of plant speciesand#151;more than 6000and#151;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 Californiaand#8217;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.