Designing California Native Gardens: The Plant Community Approach to Artful, Ecological Gardens    by Glenn Keator & Alrie Middlebrook Order:  USA  Can University of California, 2007 (2007) Hardcover, Softcover      Reviewed by Bob Walch Here's a beautiful and very informative book that any gardener who lives in California will love reading. Lavishly illustrated, this volume discusses the variety of native plants that can be used to create not only beautiful but also ecologically sound gardens and landscapes. Structured around major California plant communities (bluffs, redwoods, coastal scrub, grasslands, oak woodlands, mixed evergreen woodlands, riparian, chaparral, mountain meadow and wetlands), each chapter includes sample plans for a native garden design along with original drawings, color photos, a plant list, tips on gardening with individual species and much more. If you would like to use less water and fewer fertilizers, attract wildlife, and fully engage your senses, then this is a book you'll want to consult before either remaking your present garden or starting completely from scratch. Perhaps with the changing climate conditions which are becoming so unpredictable, now (more than ever before) is the time to consider going native! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews