Native Treasures: Gardening With the Plants of California by Michael Nevin Smith

2008·0.64 MB·English

by  Review By: Melanie Baer-Keeley

MADRONO
180 [Vol. 55
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two subspecies for F. viviparoidea based on Pavlick Rob Massatti, Rocky Mountain Herbarium,
(Can. J. Bot. 62: 2448-2462. 1984), taxonomic uncer- Department of Botany, 3165, UnivWerYsity ofWyoming,
tainties persist (Aiken et al. Festuca ofNorth America: 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, 82071-3165 and
descriptions, illustrations, identification, and informa- AARON WELLS, Department of Ecology, Montana
tion retrieval. Version: 19"^ October 2005. http://delta- State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT
intkey.com. 1996- 59717-3460.
).
Madrono, Vol. 55, No. 2, p. 180, 2008
REVIEW
Native Treasures: Gardening With the Plants of ofNative Plants" generallydescribespropagation
CaUfornia. By MICHAEL Nevin Smith. 2006. techniques honed with Smith's years of experi-
University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. ence.
288 pp. ISBN 0-520-24425-2 $60.00, hardcover. For many years, Mr. Smith contributed
ISBN 0-520-24426-9 $24.95, paperback. articles to the journal of the California Native
Plant Society on some ofthemore prominent and
MichaelNevin Smith, DirectorofHorticulture desirable of California's genera. These have
at Suncrest Nurseries, Inc., is a well-respected provided the basis for the plant profiles in "A
plantsman and propagator. Attributes that make Few of My Favorite Things". This section is
him outstanding in his field-his attention to divided into "Trees," "Shrubs," "Subshrubs and
detail, powers of observation & nurturing spirit Herbaceous Perennials," "Bulbs and Corms,"
arebeautifullyconveyed throughout Native Trea- and "Annuals" -and each further divided into
sures; Gardening with the Plants of California. "Ode to an Oak," for example; "Sages for the
Thoughtful and lyrical prose-make this book a Senses", or "Fragrant Clouds of Lupine." Each
thoroughly engaging enjoyable practical, yet plant entry consists of a vibrant description,
literary adventure. Its strength unquestionably including notable characteristics of the genus,
rests on the fact that the author has such a strong additional cultivars, typical natural habitat as
personal presence within its pages. well as cultural preferences along with enlighten-
In the introductory chapter, Smith focuses ing photographs. Most prized is the inclusion of
upon California's botanical heritage, shaped by each genu—s' specific time-tested propagation
the forces ofclimate, and environment-ultimately techniques information that is hard to come
providing his own compelling rationale for by and to be treasured when shared.
cultivating native plants. Subsequent chapters
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"Designs Great and Small" and "Nuts and Melanie Baer-Keeley, Restoration Horticulturist,
Bolts" relate the design process to the selected Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, 47050
species' origins to best methods of planting and Generals Hwy, Three Rivers, CA 93271; Melanie_
cultivation. "Filling Your Garden: Propagation [email protected].
Volume 55, Number 2, pages 93 180, published 15 December 2008