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About this book
Customer reviews
Biography
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About this book
Many gardeners in the southwest USA are perfectly satisfied with beautiful, ornamental plants and cultivate lush lawns despite the environmental consequences of doing so. Other gardeners, however, have moved to embrace pollinator plants that provide resources to bees and butterflies. And some have embraced the xeriscape approach, which uses indigenous plant life to minimize the need for water. But this is just the beginning.
Plants with Purpose speaks to gardeners who are mindful of the environmental impact of traditional ornamental plants and offers twenty-five alternative plantings that are beautiful, viable, and functional. Whether edible, therapeutic, medicinal, or attractive to pollinators, the plants in this collection provide a pathway to a more environmentally sustainable and functional garden and landscape. From agarita (for jelly and tarts) to wild garlic (edible greens), this selection of plants is curated specifically for warm climates and are beneficial to the larger ecosystem.
In addition to history and description, each plant entry provides basic information and care tips such as plant type, light/water/soil needs, size, bloom and time, fruit, and availability. Many entries contain recipes, tea ideas, and herbal remedies. This "secret life of plants" provides a counternarrative to the standard texts on gardening and landscaping.
Illustrated throughout with 145 beautiful colour photographs of plants in their various stages of development and showcasing their multiple applications, Plants with Purpose will encourage readers to experiment with their gardening for a deeper engagement with plant life and the environment.
Customer Reviews
Biography
Monika Maeckle, a longtime journalist and nature writer based in San Antonio, earned her master gardener certificate in 2004. She is the founder and director of the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival, which is now in its eighth year, and founded the Texas Butterfly Ranch website in 2010. She is also the author of The Rise and Fall of the Monarch Butterfly Migration.
Handbook / Manual
New
By: Monika Maeckle(Author)
320 pages, 145 colour photos, 24 illustrations, 1 map
"If you want to re-naturalize your yard, but are afraid of your HOA, this is the book for you. Integrating Monika Maeckle's suggested plants into your landscaping will turn your property into a pollinator waystation without anyone but you knowing you've gone wild!"
– Mark "Merriwether" Vorderbruggen, author of Foraging: Explore Nature's Bounty and Turn Your Foraged Finds into Flavorful Feasts
"Delight your senses in a habitat garden that satisfies a quest for beauty among treasured wildlife. Monika Maeckle takes the guesswork out of plant choices that live in harmony with their surroundings to heighten seasonal admiration and engagement. Whether new to gardening or looking for new ideas, here's where to start to get better acquainted."
– Linda Lehmusvirta, producer, Central Texas Gardener, Austin PBS
"Considering taking up gardening, but for more than the sake of decorating your yard? Monika Maeckle's Plants with a Purpose is just the ticket. This well-designed and illustrated book will introduce you to 25 easy-to-grow Southwest favorites that meet the needs of both wildlife and your tastebuds. A bit of history, and recipes for each plant, round out this delightful read."
– Douglas Tallamy, author of Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard
