The Midwestern Native Garden — 2011 ·

Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants, an Illustrated Guide

By Charlotte Adelman and Bernard L. Schwartz

“At last, an idea whose time has come! This is the only book I know of, for the Midwest, that systematically suggests native plants of similar appearance and growing requirements, to replace nonnatives we might otherwise plant in our landscapes. Importantly, The Midwestern Native Garden alerts the reader to the natives’ unique roles in attracting and sustaining increased biodiversity in our gardens.”

Maryann Whitman, Editor — Wild Ones Journal

“This lovely and inspired book will turn your mind to the future, to gardening, and to creation, of whatever divine, authorial, or arboreal inspiration. Get your green fingers at the ready.”

ReadWorthy Books

“The material in this book—comprehensive, impassioned and highly focused—is valuable and supportive for the gardener who is tentative about growing natives. It offers a huge menu of plants for a person who is committed to creating a dynamic, healthy environment of native plants.”

Rapid City Journal

Show all quotes Show fewer quotes

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.

Charlotte Adelman and Bernard L. Schwartz are the authors of Prairie Directory of North America – US and Canada, winner of the 2003 National Garden Club Illinois Tommy Donnan Certificates Publications award and the 2003 Garden Clubs of Illinois’ Award.