Digging into a Natural Spring: Our Newest How-To Book on Landscaping with Native Plants

As the daughter of florist and garden center owners, this is a particularly exciting book release for me. Our newest title, Back to Eden: Landscaping with Native Plants, is available today, and it is a striking, full-color exploration of the native plant world in the Eastern United States.

As with many things—vegetable gardening, seed saving, canning and preserving—utilizing native plants in the home landscape is certainly not a new concept, but one that is again becoming a part of the commercial plant consciousness. Dr. Frank Porter understands the ecological and horticultural needs that have precipitated the return to native plants, and explains the philosophy behind prioritizing these varieties over non-native and often endemic varieties.

While many of us grew up in a world where geraniums and petunias were the ruling flowers in any home garden, we are now encountering the many possibilities of native grasses, sedges, and wildflowers. Native plants provide an alternative to the extra effort—fertilizing, treating, cutting, and controlling—often required to keep a non-native plant alive and well. Dr. Porter shows how remarkable and diverse these varieties can be—and how easily native plants can be utilized in incorrigible garden spots. Whether you have rocky soil, low drainage, hilly property, or full shade, you will be able to identify native plant varieties that will help beautify and protect your home landscape.

Back to Eden: Landscaping with Native Plants is the deep breath of spring we have been waiting for. It is the promise of a more ecologically sustainable landscaping practice, the celebration of our most natural treasures, and the loving gift of a man dedicated to the beauty and health of our landscape.

For information on ordering Back to Eden, check out our online store here.

Do you have a favorite native plant? Do you love to garden? Let us know some of your favorite garden plants and tips in the comments! We love hearing from you, and we are daydreaming of the warm, spring planting days to come.