Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East, Revised and Expanded - by Carolyn Summers & Kate Brittenham (Paperback)

About the Book

In this fully revised second edition of the classic guide, mother and daughter landscape designers Carolyn Summers and Kate Brittenham draw upon the most recent research on sustainability to help you plant gardens that are both chic and eco-friendly. Both home gardeners and professionals will appreciate their detailed descriptions of indigenous plants that nurture native insects and birds.

Book Synopsis

As recent years have seen alarming declines of insect and bird populations in many states, more gardeners have discovered the importance of including native plants in order to nurture these pollinators and sustain local ecosystems. But when so many popular landscaping designs involve exotic cultivars and invasive plant species, how can you create a garden that is both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically responsible?

In this fully revised second edition of the classic guide Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East, gardening expert Carolyn Summers draws on the most recent research on sustainable landscaping. She is joined in this edition by her daughter, landscape designer Kate Brittenham, offering an intergenerational dialogue about the importance of using indigenous plants that preserve insect and bird habitats. The practical information they provide is equally useful for home gardeners and professionals, including detailed descriptions of keystone trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, and grasses that are native to the eastern United States. Accompanied by entirely new illustrations and updated plant lists, they offer chic yet eco-friendly landscape designs fully customized for different settings, from suburban yards to corporate office parks.

The states covered in this book are CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WI, and WV, as well as southern Quebec and Ontario.

Review Quotes

"This book is a must-have for anyone interested in the natural history of eastern native plants and their use in gardens. The author combines thorough research with a clear, thoughtful viewpoint gleaned from her own personal experience. Very well written, it is an enjoyable read as well as a valuable tool for garden designers."
--Darrin Duling "Former Director, The Native Plant Center"

"This has been among my go-to books since its first publication for its trustworthy information. Carolyn Summers is an authority on native plants of the east and shares her extensive knowledge to enlighten us about the benefits of these critical species. Now she is joined by her daughter, Kate Brittenham, reaching a new generation with exciting graphics that bring fresh insight into sustainable gardening."--Carol Capobianco "Director, The Native Plant Center"

"Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East is the most complete publication on the practical challenges associated with native plant gardening and fills this need very well for eastern gardeners. What Carolyn Summers tells us about indigenous plants and wildlife is critical to our sustainable future."--Douglas Tallamy "author of Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants"

"Beautifully illustrated, Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East approaches landscape design from an ecological perspective, encouraging professional designers and backyard enthusiasts alike to intensify their use of indigenous or native plants. Emphasizing the importance of indigenous plant gardening and landscape design, Summers provides guidelines for beginning gardeners as well as experienced designers."-- "New York Flora Association Newsletter" (4/1/2010 12:00:00 AM)

"Chock full of interesting facts and figures, Summers approaches design through the lens of ecology making the book unique in its approach and very relevant to anyone creating native gardens for a living."-- "Ecological Landscaping Association Newsletter" (1/15/2011 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

CAROLYN SUMMERS is an adjunct professor for continuing education at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, New York, where she provides technical assistance to the Native Plant Center. She created and maintains the nonprofit Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve and has over thirty years of experience in the environmental and landscape design field.

KATE BRITTENHAM is the founder of Front Stoop Gardens, LLC, an ecological landscape design and gardening company in Troy, New York. A graduate of Skidmore College, she has worked with the Native Plant Trust and the New York Botanical Garden.