Landscaping with Native Plants of the Southwest - by George Oxford Miller (Paperback)

About the Book

Landscaping with Native Plants of the Southwest is the definitive guide for selection, planting, landscape design, and water and energy conservation of 350 native plants of Arizona and New Mexico.

Book Synopsis

As the world heats up and we become more and more conscious of our place in the natural scheme, the appeal of the native plants of the Southwest becomes ever more compelling for gardeners. In addition to providing year-round beauty with relatively little maintenance, landscaping with native plants contributes to the repair of the natural ecosystem and brings us closer to our environment--and the array of native plant material available to the Southwestern gardener is diverse and spectacular, providing seemingly endless opportunities for creative and attractive landscapes.

In Landscaping with Native Plants of the Southwest, George Oxford Miller provides the definitive guide to choosing the best of the best among the native plants of Arizona and New Mexico. Covering wildflowers, shrubs, trees, vines, groundcovers, and cacti, this comprehensive, richly illustrated book selects the species whose ornamental qualities, growth habit, adaptability, maintenance needs, and beauty add up to the highest landscape value. The illustrations, maps, and charts provide guidelines for species selection and planting, ongoing maintenance, landscape design, and water and energy conservation. In-depth plant profiles describe the habitat requirements for more than 350 native plant species, subspecies, and varieties, with lush photographs illustrating how each plant looks and responds to landscape conditions.

As the interest in native-plant landscaping and xeriscaping continues to grow, this book will find a place on the shelf of every gardener and landscaper in the region--or of anybody interested in recreating the beauty of the Southwest in a hot, dry corner of the yard.

From the Back Cover

Gardeners use native plants for many reasons. In addition to providing year-round beauty with relatively little maintenance, landscaping with native plants contributes to the repair of the natural ecosystem and brings us closer to our environment. With such a diverse and spectacular array of native plant material available to gardeners in Arizona and New Mexico, the opportunities for creative and attractive landscapes are seemingly endless. In Landscaping with Native Plants of the Southwest," George Oxford Miller offers the definitive guide to choosing the best of the best among the native plants of Arizona and New Mexico. Covering wildflowers, shrubs, trees, vines, cacti, and groundcovers, this comprehensive, richly illustrated book selects the species that combine ornamental qualities, growth habit, adaptability, low maintenance, and beauty for the highest landscape value. The illustrations, maps, and charts provide guidelines for species selection and planting, ongoing maintenance, landscape design, and water and energy conservation. In-depth plant profiles describe the habitat requirements for more than 350 native plant species, subspecies, and varieties, with stunning photographs illustrating how each plant looks and responds to landscape conditions. As the interest in native-plant landscaping and xeriscaping continues to expand, this is a book that belongs on the shelf of every gardener and landscaper in the Southwest. Environmental photojournalist George Oxford Miller is writer, photographer, and third-generation nurseryman. He is well known for his many magazine articles, books, and photography on the plants and animals of Texas and the Southwest. His work has appeared in periodicals such as Living Bird," Texas Parks and Wildlife," and Wildlife Conservation" and in publications of the National Wildlife Federation and the Sierra Club. He is author or co-author of several books, including Landscaping with Native Plants of "Texas," A Field Guide to Wildlife of "Texas" and the Southwest, "and The Ozarks: The People, the Mountains, the Magic." Miller resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Review Quotes

"Packed with tips on how to grow plants in the desert Southwest." - Phoenix Home Garden

"This is a comprehensive and definitive guide ... helps readers analyze their yards and decide which plants match their specific habitats. As the interest in native-plant landscaping and xeriscaping continues to grow, this reference volume, complete with stunning photographs, will find a place on the shelf of every gardener and landscaper in the region - or of anybody interested in recreating the beauty of the Southwest in a hot, dry corner of the yard." - Sirreadalot.org

"A handy, informative book ... and an indispensable tool." - New Mexico Magazine

"What makes his book special is the way it's organized." - Sunday Journal

About the Author

Environmental photojournalist George Oxford Miller is writer, photographer, and third-generation nurseryman. He is well known for his many magazine articles, books, and photography on the plants and animals of Texas and the Southwest. His work has appeared in periodicals such as Living Bird, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Wildlife Conservation and in publications of the National Wildlife Federation and the Sierra Club. He is author or co-author of several books, including Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas, A Field Guide to Wildlife of Texas and the Southwest, and The Ozarks: The People, the Mountains, the Magic. Miller resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico.