The Midwest Native Plant Primer

June 1, 2020
Gardeners all over are embracing the plants that have been growing in their region for millennia, including some that might once have been viewed as too wild for home landscaping. Branhagen (Native Plants of the Midwest, 2016) defines native plants as those that grew in North America before settlers invaded, ruling out any that were introduced or naturalized from elsewhere. Climate change, human intervention, and other factors may alter the boundaries of where a particular native plant grows, but those included here are likely to find a hospitable home somewhere in the Midwest and to support the fauna living there. The introductory sections provide a solid overview to making a successful garden, and entries describe trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials, and vines, including details of shape, size, growing habit, interest to birds, bees, and/or butterflies, sun or shade requirements, and hardiness. This guide includes over 200 plants but the concise descriptions and ample color photographs make it approachable and likely to be useful to a wide range of gardeners. The index includes both common and scientific names.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)