Native Revival's Gardener's Guide to California Native Plants

This is a compilation of plant descriptions, wildlife values and various information on how to use California native plants in a landscape setting. There are also indexes on deer resistant plants, plants that attract birds and butterflies, and appropriate plants for a variety of settings.

Introduction to California Plant Life by Robert Ornduff

"Ornduff's concise, well-written statement about California flora provides information about nomanclature, topography, climate and adaptation, California plant communities in both northern and southern California and the evolution of the California flora. A valuable list of references and indexes to both common and scientific names are included."

California's Changing Landscapes: Diversity and Conservation of California Vegetation by Michael Barbour, Bruce Pavlik, Frank Drysdale, and Susan Lindstrom

"This book makes a vast and complex landscape available to us. It does so with elegance and economy. It also does not hesitate to argue the case for conservation and restoration, and to present the problems that beset each region. Its vision of a California whose native plant populations do not become entirely degraded, and whose grasslands and forests are sustainable, is visionary but not impractical. It speaks to the good sense of real people in a real place, who expect to continue living here." Gary Snyder

California Forests and Woodlands: A Natural History by Verna R. Johnston

"This book's solid scientific basis and lively writing style will appeal to many audiences...A very nice addition to the library of anyone interested in California's...beloved and important...forests and woodlands." Barrett A. Garrison California Fish and Game

Natural History of the Islands of California by Allan A. Schoenherr, C. Robert Feldmeth, and Michael J. Emerson

"An in-depth field guide for students, natural history buffs, and anyone who has stood on shore staring in fascination at these islands...A key for unlocking the vast field of island natural history. Most of California's islands are owned by public agencies, and many are accessible to the public. With this book, their exploration, be it on foot or from an armchair, will be a richer experience." California Coast and Ocean

Water and the California Dream: Choices for the New Millennium by David Carle

"Water has always been the defining element in California's history, driving its dreams of expansion. Carle tells that story well-but what his inventive and informative text also demonstrates is that if the state does not soon turn back on its own history, its infatuation with limitless growth and the water to supply it may create a world too ugle to contemplate." T.H. Watkins

Rare Lilies of California by Peggy Lee Fiedler

Beautiful illustrations by Catherine M. Watters and factual information about an exceptional plant.

Hardy Californians: A Woman's Life with Native Plants by Lester Rowntree

"Hardy Californians includes Rowntree's description of her annual seed-collecting journey through california and a concise introduction to the state's flora, climate, and geography. The book also gives information on the suitability of many California native plants for the garden."

Plants of the Coast Redwood Region by Kathleen Lyons & Marybeth Lazaneo

Photos, taken by local photographer Henry Lyons, and plant descriptions of a variety of our local plants in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We always love when photos are included; it makes for easy identification of our local plants.

Gardening with a Wild Heart by Judith Larner Lowry

"A meditation on native plants, a reflective commentary on California's contemporart landscapes, a low-key lament for what once was, and an eloquent defense of what remains and what could be." California Wild Magazine

Native Treasures by M. Nevin Smith

Smith puts a poetic twist to learning about California native plants. This book describes the "use of plants in varying landscapes and gardens, state-of-the-art propagation techniques, and contains beautiful illustrations."

Ecology and Restoration of Northern California Coastal Dunes by Andrea J. Pickart and John O. Sawyer

"Coastal dunes account for approximately 40% of California's predominately steep and rocky coastline north of Point Arena. When voewed as a proportion of the entire northern California landscape, their spatial significance shrinks to less than 3%. This small fraction of the landscape has suffered a dosproportionately high amount of human impact...Today, the management of protected dune systems of northern California has thus become focused on restoration."

Plants Used by the Indian of Mendocino County by V.K. Chestnut

a charming book whose title is a bit misleading as it covers a much greater range of California than the name implies. At the turn of the century, when many of the resident tribes of California were rounded up and placed on reservations, V.K. Chestnut took it upon himself to interview these indigenous people and gather information from them on the plans they used, what they called them and what they used them for.

Oaks of California by Bruce M. Pavlik, Pamela c. Muick, Sharon G. Johnson, and Marjorie Popper

"This engagingly executed work honors a botanical part of California as important if not as famous as its redwoods. Do not miss this significant, visually stunning book." Taxon

Compatible Plants Under and Around Oaks

"Finally, a practical landscape guide to help save our oaks. Required reading for every landscape architect, horticulturalist, contractor, builder, planning commissioner, council member, and any homeowner with oaks." Russell A. Beatty, Dept. of Landscape Architecture, U.C.Berkeley

The Oak Woodland Bird Conservation Plan: A stategy for protecting and managing oak woodland habitats and associated birds in California

Conifers of California by Ronald M. Lanner

"Well-written and magnificently illustrated...This book should be read by all interested in California's fantastic forests." Jan Villa-Lobos Plant Talk

California Native Plants for the Garden by Carol Bornstein, David Fross, and Bart O'Brien

"Practical and inspirational. Lovingly detailed plant profiles...make you covet each species." Sunset "An authoritative reference on California gardening, with detailed advice on landscape design, illustration, watering,pruning, and pest control." Los Angeles Times

California's Wild Gardens: A Guide to Favorite Botanical Sites

"I wholeheartedly, unequivocally, and strongly recommend this fine and beautiful book. It is truly one of a kind and will be enjoyed by everyone interested in our state's native plants." Bart O'Brien, Director of Horticulture at Rancho Ana Botanic Garden

The Landscaping Ideas of Jays by Judith Larner Lowry

"Elegantly organized by season, this lyrical yet practical guide to backyard restoration gardening celebrates the beauty, the challenges, and the rewards of growing native plants at home."

Mountain Vines, Mountain Wines by Casey Young

"Would you like to taste great wine, meet interesting winemakers, explore ancient forests and end your day with a meal and entertainment? This book is your complete reference for more than 50 wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Personalities, locations, and types of wines that each winery produces are combined with climate and history."

Plant Life in the World's Mediterranean Climates by Peter R. Dallman

This book "provides a beautifully illustrated overview of the landscapes, vegetation types, and plants of the five regions of the world that have a Mediterranean climate."

Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates of the San Francisco Bay Region

"A valuable resource for climate-compatible gardening in the San Fransco Bay Area that will also be of interest to gardeners in other parts of the world with a similar seasonal pattern of winter rain and dry summers. This book will occupy a prominent place in my library for many years to come." Katherine Greenberg, president of Mediterranean Garden Society

Mediterranean Gardening: A Waterwise Approach

"An indispensible, beautifully illustrated guide for both the experienced and the novice gardener. Explains how to garden in harmony with a mediterranean climate by taking advantage of winter rain and allowing gardens to rest during the hot summer."

Pictoring California's Other Landscape: The Great Central Valley, Edited by Heath Schenker

"Features a stunning selection of historic and contemporary paintings, photographs, tourist art, advertising images, and maps--allows us to view the landscape of the Central Valley through the eyes and sensibilities of more than sixty-five visual artists.Through text and images, this book examines the portrayal of the Central Valley over the last 150 years: as promised land, exploitable resource, paradise lost, a source of unexpected life and beauty. These provocative images challenge the popular perceptions of the Central Valley. suggesting new and expanded ways of viewing its landscape."

Spring Wildflowers of the San Francisco

A California Natural History Guide

Plants of the San Francisco Bay Region

The definitive botanical guide to the wetlands, woodlands, coastlines, hills, and valleys of the beautiful and diverse San Francisco Bay Region."Plants of the San Fransisco Bay Region is a user-friendly guide with excellent photographs that fills an important need in the botanical community locally. A good guide for students and beginning nature lovers, though even sophisticated plant enthusiasts will consult it for its easy style and useful photos." Frank Almeda, California Academy of Sciences

The Natural History of Big Sur by Paul Henson and Donald j. Usner

"Each year millions of people visit the rugged California coastline and wild mountains known as Big Sur. Finally, here is a book that is both a natural history of this beautiful region and an excellent guide to its extensive public lands. The first section introduces the area's geology, climate, flora, fauna, and human history while the second section describes selected sites, trails, and features of interest."

Watching the Watsonville Wetlands: An Armchair Guide to the Watsonville Slough Systems by Jerry Busch

"In an era of vanishing wetlands, the Watsonville Sloughs, one of the largest fresh water wetlands in the California Coastal Region, lie nearly hidden in Santa Cruz County within sight of the Monterey Bay. This series of essays by Jerry Busch brings to light the mysteries and beauties of the slough habitats and the wild creatures that live there."

Coast Redwood: A Natural and Cultural History

"Treasured for its beauty, yet relentlessly harvested for its valuable wood, the coast redwood has become one of the most enduring icons of the American environmental movement.Coast Redwood: A Natural and Cultural History is the first illustrated book to offer a comprehensive account of the ecology and human history associated with earth's tallest tree."

The Sempervirens Story: A Century of Preserving California's Ancient Redwood Forest 1900-2000 by Willie Yaryan and Denzil and Jennie Verardo

Tales from the Redwood Coast by Walter G. Collins

Giants of the Earth: The California Redwoods edited with an introduction by Peter Johnstone

A collection of essays by naturalists and philosophers about our California Redwood

Flora of the Santa Cruz Mountains of California: A manual of the vascular plants by John Hunter Thomas

"Here is a well-prepared, concise manual, which should serve admirably for teaching purposes and as a guide for the numerous local naturalists. This book contains all the information one would hope to find in a local...The book is remarkably free from errors, reflecting painstaking attention to details by both author and publisher.." AIBUS Bulletin

The Habitat Garden Book By Nancy Bauer

This descriptive guide book is full of information on how to attract birds, butterflies, beneficial insects and a myriad of other wildlife to your backyard using California native plants. Specifically geared toward the Bay Area.

The Banana Slug by Alice Harper

This little book contains fascinating information on our local giant slug. We found that our native wild ginger is pollinated by banana slugs. And their mating rituals... well, you'll have to read it to find out.

Common Dragonflies of California by Kathy Briggs

A beginner's pocket guide to California dragonflies. All kinds of useful information and great pictures that make identification easy and fun.

Natural Process:That Environmental Laws May Serve the Laws of Nature by Mark Edward Vande Pol

"This book introduces a motivational regulatory system that eliminates the need for reliance upon permits and policing. It is capable of pricing ecosystem assets and is extendable to global scale.It can improve ecosystem function, in harmony with an advanced economy. Included are several example programs, and an effective legal strategy for further implementation."

Theodore Payne in His Own Words: A Voice for California Native Plants

"This young Englishmen, arriving in Southern California in 1893, soon began his life's work: the seed and nursery business. Seeing that California's rich native flora was quickly disappearing, he was determined to stir a greater interest in the wild flowers. Payne grew colorful flower tapestries at Descanso Gardens, Griffith Park, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Exposition Park in Los Angeles, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden and many other places. His vision became the spark for preservation and the use of native plants. Today, gerdening in harmony with our natural climate, we treasure the plants he saved."