In this revised and updated 2nd edition of Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, gardeners in the north central US are handed all the know-how they’ll need to grow a lush, productive garden. If you live in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, or South Dakota, the environmentally sound growing info for both edible and ornamental plants found here is your green thumb map to success: Profiles of more than 250 plants proven to thrive in the Midwest’s climate, including shrubs, perennials, annuals, vegetables, fruits, herbs, vines, and more, help you select the best plants to create a beautiful landscape or a high-yielding edible garden.Helpful information highlights sun and shade requirements and offers clear and concise plant variety information.Month-by-month care and cultivation guides are offered for each plant group, guiding your journey—even if you’re a first-time Midwestern gardener.Author Melinda Myers addresses the many challenges of growing in the Midwest, including a changing climate and unique soil and pest troubles.The how-to methods for planting, pruning, watering, fertilizing, and much more are rich with information essential to those in the region. This comprehensive and extensive guide is the best resource for growing in the Midwestern states. Whether you live in Minneapolis, Kansas City, Cleveland, Des Moines, or somewhere in between, Midwest Gardener’s Handbook has you covered.Midwest Gardener’s Handbook is part of the Gardener’s Handbook series from Cool Springs Press. Other books in the series include Florida Gardener’s Handbook, Mid-Atlantic Gardener’s Handbook, Northwest Gardener’s Handbook, and many others. Read more

Bring your garden to life—and life to your garden Do you want a garden that makes a real difference? Choose plants native to our Southeast region. The rewards will benefit you, your yard, and the environment—from reducing maintenance tasks to attracting earth-friendly pollinators such as native birds, butterflies, and bees. Native plant experts Larry Mellichamp and Paula Gross make adding these superstar plants easier than ever before, with proven advice that every home gardener can follow. This incomparable sourcebook includes 225 recommended native ferns, grasses, wildflowers, perennials, vines, shrubs, and trees. It’s everything you need to know to create a beautiful and beneficial garden. This must-have handbook is for gardeners in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Read more

Discover inspiring ideas to make your Midwest home landscape more attractive and functional!46 beautiful designs created by landscape professionals specifically for the Midwest, each taking into consideration the unique climate and environmentOver 200 plants picked for your region, with detailed descriptions and all you need to know to plant and maintain themOver 450 photos and illustrations of plants, gardens, and finished designs to help envision your resultsStep-by-step instructions for building structures like paths, ponds, walls, fences, arbors, and trellisesCreative solutions for installing front and back entries, foundation plantings, patios, steep slopes, and moreUpdated edition contains new information on environmentally sound plant selection, the impact of climate change, pest management, and moreThis complete guide is an updated, expanded edition of Creative Homeowner's award-winning book in the regional home landscaping series that shows you how to beautify and enhance 23 common landscape situations, Midwest-style!Inside, homeowners will find a collection of inspiring landscape designs for making your home's outdoor space, both front yard and backyard, more attractive and functional. The 23 featured designs — each with a variation for a total of 46 — were created by landscape professionals from the region. The designs use more than 200 proven performers that thrive in the Midwest and south-central Canada. The book describes each plant in full detail, as well as how to install and care for them, including drought-resistant plants, so you can properly landscape according to your region's climate.Included are detailed instructions for projects such as front and back walkways, borders, patios, ponds, and arbors, concise information for gardening techniques, and easy-to-follow plans. Over 450 full-color photos, drawings, and paintings are complemented by easy step-by-step instructions that provide the essential knowledge to tackle each project and take the uncertainty out of gardening!The updated fourth edition of this complete landscaping guide offers information on the importance of native plants, the impact of climate change on the Midwest region, advice on dealing with insect infestation, resources for identifying invasive species, an updated USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map, and more.States covered include Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Missouri (MO), Nebraska (NE), North Dakota (ND), Ohio (OH), South Dakota (SD), and Wisconsin (WI), plus the southern edge of Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg, Canada.With Midwest Home Landscaping, your landscape will be in full bloom!"... like having a team of professional garden designers on hand."—Country Living Gardener" ... you'll turn to these beautifully rendered design possibilities again and again."—Eleanore Lewis, Woman's Day Garden Planner & Practical Guide"The Home Landscaping series takes the fear out of gardening by skillfully combining a wide range of attractive, dependable plants with clear, concise information on the techniques of gardening and easy-to-follow plans."—Thomas Fischer, Executive Editor, Horticulture Read more

Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude is a sustained meditation on that which goes away—loved ones, the seasons, the earth as we know it—that tries to find solace in the processes of the garden and the orchard. That is, this is a book that studies the wisdom of the garden and orchard, those places where all—death, sorrow, loss—is converted into what might, with patience, nourish us. Read more

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A Globe and Mail Bestseller Gardening with native plants is perhaps the fastest-growing sector in the gardening world. More and more gardeners are discovering the pleasure and benefits of growing native plants, particularly for our dwindling pollinator and bird populations. The Gardener's Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region is unique in that it distills all the information essential for growing 150 species of garden-worthy native plants into a single, at-a-glance guide. For each profiled plant, this informative guide tells you: What conditions the plant needs for soil type, moisture and light How big the plant will get, when the plant will be in bloom and what color the flowers will be How to propagate the plant Which pests a plant may be susceptible to Which USDA Plant Hardiness Zones it grows in The Species At Risk status of the plant in Ontario, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania What the wildlife value of the plant is, including whether it is a host for butterfly and moth caterpillars. A detailed description of the plant along with photos of the flower, leaf and seed head or berry help you to easily identify each plant. Unique to this book, a detailed map of the native range of the plant within the southern Great Lakes region -- including Ontario, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania -- helps to ensure success in the garden. A thorough introductory section covering subjects like shade requirement, naming conventions, plant hardiness zones and more, as well as a common name index and handy tables for quick reference, round out this comprehensive volume. Perfect for both armchair reading and trips to the nursery, The Gardener's Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region will be your go-to reference on native plants. Read more

Native Plants of the Midwest, by regional plant expert Alan Branhagan, features the best native plants in the heartland and offers clear and concise guidance on how to use them in the garden. Plant profiles for more than 500 species of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, ground covers, bulbs, and annuals contain the common and botanical names, growing information, tips on using the plant in a landscape, and advice on related plants. You’ll learn how to select the right plant and how to design with native plants. Helpful lists of plants for specific purposes are shared throughout. This comprehensive book is for native plant enthusiasts and home gardeners in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, northern Arkansas, and eastern Kansas.   Read more

Learn to identify common backyard weeds! Hundreds of full-color photographs with easy-to-understand text make this a great visual guide to learning about more than 150 species of weeds―toxic, edible, or otherwise interesting―found in the Upper Midwest, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The species (from Dandelion to Purslane) are organized by type, then by flower color, so you can identify them by their visual characteristics. Plus, learn about how each weed spreads, how to control it, and its possible beneficial uses. The information, presented by expert forager Teresa Marrone, is perfect for beginners but also useful for more experienced home gardeners. Read more

Foraging Edible and Medicinal Plants in the Midwest: The Simplest Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing the Wild Edibles and Herbs of the HeartlandImagine walking through the open prairies, lush forests, and peaceful riverbanks of the Midwest, surrounded by the richness of nature. What if you had the confidence to identify and gather the wild plants that have nourished and healed people for centuries? With the right knowledge, your outdoor adventures in the Midwest can be transformed into life-sustaining experiences.Are you ready to unlock the secrets of the Heartland's native wild plants?For many, the thought of foraging is both exciting and daunting. How can you be sure which plants are safe to eat or use for medicinal purposes? How do you avoid confusing beneficial plants with dangerous lookalikes? These challenges can hold you back from truly experiencing the rewarding practice of foraging.That’s where this book comes in. Foraging Edible and Medicinal Plants in the Midwest is your go-to guide for safely and confidently identifying, harvesting, and using the wild plants of America’s Heartland. Designed for both beginners and seasoned foragers, this comprehensive guide offers a clear path to mastering the Midwest's diverse flora.What sets this guide apart?Detailed, High-Resolution Photographs: Each plant is presented with vivid, full-color images, making it easy to recognize the edible and medicinal species around you. Special care is taken to include photos of common lookalikes to avoid misidentification.Extensive Plant Uses: Learn not only how to forage, but also how to use these plants to prepare herbal remedies and craft delicious, healthy meals. This guide goes beyond identification, giving you practical tips for maximizing the value of your finds.Bonus Materials: Along with this essential guide, enjoy access to a special collection of 10 herbal remedy books and a unique Midwest-inspired cookbook, offering new ways to incorporate your foraged treasures into your daily life.With this book, you’ll discover:The skills to safely identify and gather the edible and medicinal plants unique to the Midwest.Effective techniques for preparing these plants for food, medicine, and home remedies.Confidence in creating natural solutions to treat common health conditions using your foraged herbs.Exclusive access to valuable bonus content that deepens your knowledge and enhances your foraging experiences.A deeper connection to the natural world and a sustainable way to improve your health and well-being.Don’t miss your chance to reconnect with nature and turn the wild plants of the Midwest into a powerful resource for health, nourishment, and healing. Grab your copy of Foraging Edible and Medicinal Plants in the Midwest today and take the first step toward a more self-sufficient, nature-focused lifestyle! Read more

Perennial gardening can be easy, fun and rewarding, especially when you have this beautifully illustrated guide at your fingertips. With detailed accounts of 84 different perennials, along with information on 681 recommended varieties and cultivars perfect for Michigan gardens, this book takes the guesswork out of perennial gardening. The authors' common sense and garden wisdom will help you transform any patch of ground--wet or dry, sunny or shady, lakeside or inland--into a spectacular garden you can enjoy year after year: * Flower and foliage colors * Height and spread ranges * Blooming periods * How and when to start your plants * Planting strategies * Light, water and nutrient needs * Choosing the best perennials for different growing conditions * Over 500 color photographs. Read more

Native Trees of the Midwest is a definitive guide to identifying trees in Indiana and surrounding states, written by three leading forestry experts. Descriptive text explains how to identify every species in any season and color photographs show all important characteristics. Not only does the book allow the user to identify trees and learn of their ecological and distributional attributes, but it also presents an evaluation of each species relative to its potential ornamental value for those interested in landscaping. Since tree species have diverse values to wildlife, an evaluation of wildlife uses is presented with a degree of detail available nowhere else. The revised and expanded second edition contains a chapter on introduced species that have become naturalized and invasive throughout the region. All accounts have been reviewed and modifications made when necessary to reflect changes in taxonomy, status, or wildlife uses. Keys have been modified to incorporate introduced species. Read more

The long-awaited debut book on Craig Bergmann, pre-eminent designer of traditional gardens along the North Shore of ChicagoFor more than four decades, Craig Bergmann has been recognized for intertwining design, horticulture, and architecture, establishing a true dialogue between the garden and the architectural site. Revered as a plantsman, Bergmann layers his designs with vibrant blooms and textured foliage. The Art of Fine Gardening features twenty gardens that span his career and are located in the North Shore of Chicago. A special chapter is dedicated to the Gardens at 900, the historic estate designed by architect David Adler, that he developed and reimagined as a series of lush private garden rooms with hedges, towering topiary, perennial borders, and interspersed with classical figures and ornament. Featuring stunning garden images by noted photographer Scott Shigley and texts written by Bergmann, the book describes all the gardens in his own voice – a voice of true experience – offering anecdotes and practical tips to gardeners. Read more

The potential benefits of wild plants for human health and well-being are wide-ranging. But, knowing which plants to use, and how, for edible and medicinal purposes requires a deep understanding of the characteristics and qualities of these species in the wild. Whether you are seeking an herbal remedy for a specific ailment or simply want to make the most of the natural bounty that surrounds us, you need look no further than this groundbreaking study. Collected here are insightful tips and detailed descriptions relating to the edibility and healing potential of 100 wild plants of the upper Midwest. Drawing on his own extensive experience as well as more than 1,000 scientific and ethnobotanical studies, author Matthew Alfs offers tips on foraging for and identifying the plants growing in the region's fields, meadows, and woods. He provides detailed lists of plants for specific physiological functions and offers instruction for processing the plants to maximize their edible and medicinal properties. Now in its third edition, the book includes full color photos, a glossary, and an extensive resource list to supplement the plant descriptions, making it the ultimate resource to the edible and medicinal aspects of wild plants of the upper Midwest. Read more

A comprehensive and beautifully illustrated reference for all gardeners passionate about native plants and prairie restoration.  The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants is the one-stop compendium for all gardeners aspiring to use native prairie plants in their gardens. Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox—two renowned prairie gardeners—compile more than four decades’ worth of research to offer a wide-ranging and definitive reference for starting and maintaining prairie and meadow gardens and restorations. Alongside detailed synopses of plant life cycles, meticulous range maps, and sweeping overviews of natural history, Diboll and Cox also include photographs of 148 prairie plants in every stage of development, from seedling to seedhead. North America’s grasslands once stretched from the Blue Ridge to the Rocky Mountains, and from Texas to Manitoba, blanketing the mid-continent with ecologically important, garden-worthy, native species. This book provides all the inspiration and information necessary for eager native planters from across the country to welcome these plants back to their landscapes. The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants is a must-have reference for gardeners, restorationists, and every flora fan with a passion for native plants, prairies and meadows.  Read more

Plant selection and garden style are deeply influenced by where we are gardening. To successfully grow a range of beautiful ornamental plants, every gardener has to know the specifics of the region’s climate, soil, and geography.Growing the Midwest Garden, by Edward Lyon, the director of Wisconsin’s Allen Centennial Gardens, offers an enthusiastic and comprehensive approach to ornamental gardening in the heartland. This guide features in-depth chapters on climate, soil, pests, and maintenance, along with plant profiles of the best perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, and bulbs.  Read more

*As seen in the New York Times*How to Cultivate, Harvest, and Enjoy North America's Largest Native FruitThe pawpaw, a close relative of the tropical custard apple, grows throughout much of North America yet culturally and horticulturally we know very little about it.This mini manual by edible landscape author Michael Judd jumps right into growing, caring for, harvesting, and using pawpaws - from seed to table. Judd demystifies fruit growing in direct, easy to follow steps that quickly brings confidence to the newbie grower while expanding the horizons of the curious gardener and foodie alike. Historically most people have only experienced foraged pawpaw fruit, which can be a hit or miss game for a good experience. That is quickly changing as selected and bred cultivars are being grown and shared.  Judd's pawpaw manual gets you started right away with the best selections, approaches, and recipes to enjoy this tropical fruit of the north. Filled with straightforward how-to, colorful pictures and illustrations For the Love of Pawpaws brings to life easy and successful ways to enjoy the best pawpaws have to offer.Chapters include: Where Can I Grow Pawpaws?Buying a Good Pawpaw TreeGrowing Pawpaws from Seed & GraftingLandscaping IdeasEcological Tree CareHarvest: Fruit Handling & ProcessingRecipes: What to Do with All this Fruit!Pawpaws & Permaculture Discover the many reasons pawpaws are edible landscape and culinary all-stars!For the Love of Pawpaws will take you on an adventure that culminates in one of life's most rewarding experiences. A delicious opportunity to enjoy natural gardening and gourmet food at it best. Read more

Never garden alone! The Month-By-Month series is the perfect companion to take the guesswork out of gardening. With this book, you’ll know what to do each month to have gardening success all year. Written by authors in your state, the information is tailored to the issues that affect your garden the most. Read more

In this companion volume to the bestselling The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants, Charlotte Adelman and Bernard L. Schwartz offer another indispensible guide to replacing nonnative plants with native alternatives. This time, their subject is the native woody species that are the backbone of our gardens and landscapes. Among other ecological benefits, native shrubs and trees provide birds and butterflies with vital food and reproductive sites that nonnative species cannot offer. And they tend to be hardier and easier to maintain. The authors provide a comprehensive selection of native woody alternatives that, season by season, provide effects similar to those of nonnative shrubs and trees used for ornamental purposes and shade. These plants are suitable for all garden styles, provide blooms and fall color, and have the same cultivation requirements as their nonnative counterparts. Nature notes alert readers to the native species’ unique ecological roles. Unlike other gardening guides, Midwestern Native Shrubs and Trees goes beyond mere suggestion to provide gardeners with the tools they need to make informed, thoughtful choices. Knowing which native species to plant for desired effects empowers landscapers and gardeners to take on a greater role in protecting our midwestern environment. Read more

Midwestern gardeners and landscapers are becoming increasingly attracted to noninvasive regional native wildflowers and plants over popular nonnative species. The Midwestern Native Garden offers viable alternatives to both amateurs and professionals, whether they are considering adding a few native plants or intending to go native all the way. Native plants improve air and water quality, reduce use of pesticides, and provide vital food and reproductive sites to birds and butterflies, that nonnative plants cannot offer, helping bring back a healthy ecosystem. The authors provide a comprehensive selection of native alternatives that look similar or even identical to a range of nonnative ornamentals. These are native plants that are suitable for all garden styles, bloom during the same season, and have the same cultivation requirements as their nonnative counterparts. Plant entries are accompanied by nature notes setting out the specific birds and butterflies the native plants attract. The Midwestern Native Garden will be a welcome guide to gardeners whose styles range from formal to naturalistic but who want to create an authentic sense of place, with regional natives. The beauty, hardiness, and easy maintenance of native Midwestern plants will soon make them the new favorites. Read more

Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects is an award-winning landscape architecture firm - the Midwest's most prominent - based in Chicago, Illinois, and is known for its outstanding civic, cultural, and residential work. This is the firm's first publication.Horticulture and landscape design flourish in tandem at Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects, one of the most dynamic firms in Chicago today. In Movement and Meaning, this landscape architecture firm reveals how they embed plant material into their projects, embracing biological changes wrought by time. Readers will come away with an understanding of both the art and the science that goes into creating a rich experience through innovative landscape architecture techniques.Over the past twenty years, the principals of Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects have been acknowledged innovators in landscape architecture, and the firm has won numerous awards for its urban public spaces, academic campuses, green roofs, commercial developments, cultural institutions, and recreational destinations. The firm’s long focus on innovative horticulture and particular attention to seasonality put it at the forefront of this now-popular industry-wide focus.Movement and Meaning explores forty-five public, private, and cultural projects, revealing Hoerr Schaudt’s talent for creating meaningful, ever-evolving designs. In-depth features include projects for which the firm has gained recognition, including McGovern Centennial Gardens in Houston; Daley Plaza in Chicago; the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden; Soldier Field and North Burnham Park in Chicago; the Buckhead shopping district in Atlanta; the University of Chicago’s main quadrangle and Botany Pond; and innovative rooftop gardens for the Gary Comer Youth Center and the Morningstar Corporation in Chicago.The firm has also completed dozens of private estate gardens throughout the Midwest, including in Chicago proper; Lake Forest, Peoria, and Winnetka, Illinois; Grand Rapids and Harbor Springs, Michigan; and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. They have also designed gardens in other climates, including Palm Springs, California; Rhode Island; and Antigua. Hoerr Schaudt’s seasonal, plant-driven designs are sure to inspire landscape architects and home gardeners alike. Read more