Books, articles, resources

Every Living Thing: The Great and Deadly Race to Know All Life tells the stories of the lives of Swedish taxonomist Carl Linnaeus and his French contemporary Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon, both born in 1707. Linnaeus and Buffon each brought brilliant new insights to the fledgling fields of natural history and taxonomy in the eighteenth century. However, they approached natural history from very different perspectives. As they grew older and each became known and respected

This slim paperback has served as the standard reference for coastal plants for more than forty years. It offers simple keys for identification, supplemented by black and white photos of many species. After a general introduction to dune ecology, sand dynamics and plant succession, the authors describe almost 100 species of plants common to the Oregon coast. Species are grouped by family, starting with ferns and proceeding through composites. There is a list of references in

A key resource for understanding the why using native plants is more important than ever.

A free downloadable booklet from the Wildlife Botanical Gardens that contains dozens of high quality photos and descriptions of native plants perfect for Oregon gardens. Download booklet

Native plants are essential for healthy ecosystems that support insects and animals, but vegetation alone does not provide the necessary resources for most creatures or their life cycles. This book breaks down ecological processes that regulate habitats and explains how to recreate vibrant, gorgeous, natural habitats in your own backyard—ones that attract pollinating insects, birds, and other suburban wildlife while appealing to neighbors and friends. It focuses on how to reb

Reviewed by Anne Biklé, co-author What Your Food Ate and The Hidden Half of Nature I have been waiting for a gardening book like Joe...

First published in 1870, The Wild Garden challenged the prevailing garden style of the day and advocated a naturalistic style, in which...

This is one of my favorite garden books. I get it out every time I'm planning to go plant shopping. The book contain lots of plant...

This book is not a biography but rather an interesting presentation of the various travels, explorations, and accomplishments of David...

Flora Mirabilis is a sumptuously designed showcase of superb illustrations paired with fascinating stories of botanical exploration and...

A comprehensive guide to insects of the Pacific Northwest, this handy reference is perfect for hikers, fishers, and naturalists. With...

If you enjoy saving seeds or just want to learn about different varieties of vegetables and their relationships, you'll find this book a...

Who doesn't respond to the grace of grasses swaying in the wind. If you live right on the coast, why not take advantage and plant drifts of native grass, like tufted hair grass. If you have brackish water areas, this is the grass for you. This plant actually requires wind for pollination. Very easy to grow. Likes full sun best, but will do okay in light shade. Be sure to mulch well during first year or two to help get it established. Look for tufted hair grass at the LC

​​The collection of sketches is quite beautiful. The book contains 75 illustrations of flora from around the world, dating from the 15th...

Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia & Alaska, Jim Pojar, A. MacKinnon, and Paul B. Alaback, Lone...

The Resilient Gardener: Food Production and Self-Reliance in Uncertain Times, Reviews, Carol Deppe, Chelsea Green Publishing, 2010, 350...

Wonderful guidebook for wildflower identification. . .

by Carla Albright, Taylor Trade Publishing Albright is an Oregon State Master Gardener, teaches OSU Master Gardener classes and writes a...

The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan People that garden will enjoy the plant’s eye view of the world. We like to think that we are in...