From Booklist
Tallamy takes an obvious observation—wildlife is threatened when suburban development encroaches on once wild lands—and weds it to a novel one: that beneficial insects are being deprived of essential food resources when suburban gardeners exclusively utilize nonnative plant material. Such an imbalance, Tallamy declares, can lead to a weakened food chain that will no longer be able to support birds and other animal life. Once embraced only by members of the counterculture, the idea of gardening with native plants has been landscape design's poor stepchild, thought to involve weeds and other plants too unattractive for pristine suburban enclaves. Not so, says Tallamy, who presents compelling arguments for aesthetically pleasing, ecologically healthy gardening. With nothing less than the future of North American biodiversity at stake, Tallamy imparts an encouraging message: it's not too late to save the ecosystem-sustaining matrix of insects and animals, and the solution is as easy as replacing alien plants with natives. Haggas, Carol
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
Bringing Nature Home opens our eyes to an environmental problem of staggering proportions. Fortunately, it also shows us how we can help. (Petaluma Argus-Courier )
"This book will not only foster a love of the outdoors in all who read it, but also create a deeper understanding and appreciation of the intricate web of wildlife outside your door." (Cabin Life )
"In an area that is as open and wooded as ours, we may not be aware that there is more to the need for natives than concern about invasive species that upset an ecosystem. According to Tallamy, a balanced ecosystem needs more insects. It is when the balance of the system is disrupted that problems arise." (The Recorder )
"Tallamy's book is a call to arms. There is not much ordinary citizens can do to create large new preserves. But we can make better use of the small green spaces we have around our houses. While the situation in the United States is quite serious, Tallamy offers options that anyone with a garden, even a postage-stamp-sized one like mine, can do to help." (St. Petersburg Times )
"[It] is the book that is going to change how gardening is conducted over the next century." (Ants, Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Nature Blog )
You can look at this book as a manifesto explaining why we should favor native plants, but it s much more than that. It s a plan to sustain the endangered biodiversity and even more, it s a plan to transform suburbia from an environmental liability to an environmental asset. (Eco-Libris Blog )
This updated and expanded edition is a delight to read and a most needed resource." (Warwick Beacon )
"Tallamy makes such a compelling case for the importance of insects to birds that I ve completely changed the way I garden. From now on, insect attractors are my first choices." (Birding Business )
"Tallamy illustrates well how gardeners have contributed greatly to tipping the environment off balance and how they are equally able to turn the trend Plants and insects are integrally intertwined. Understanding the beauty of these relationships deepens our appreciation of our gardens and the important role we play." (Winston-Salem Journal )
"Doug Tallamy's book is a gift. It's not the kind of gift wrapped with a pink ribbon and a tiny rose tucked into the bow. It's the kind of gift that shakes you to your core and sets you on the path of healing. Your garden. Your planet. One plant at a time. Open it." (Plant Whatever Brings You Joy Blog )
"Buy, borrow, or steal this book! It is essential reading with ideas that need to become part of our understanding of how life works on this planet." (Prairie Moon Nursery blog )
"This book is not a rant on nature gardening, nor is it a typical garden design book, or a stuffy academic textbook. The author might be a professor but he has written a book which is readable, scientific, fascinating, and highly digestible." (Loving Nature's Garden Blog )
"This is the 'it' book in certain gardening circles. It's really struck a nerve." (Philadelphia Inquirer )
"My book of choice of the year." (Buffalo News )
He combines the passion which many of us have, with the science, and thats a winning combination. (Indianapolis Star )
Tallamy explains in beautiful prose the importance of native plants to our wildlife. (Plain Dealer )
"This book will not only foster a love of the outdoors in all who read it, but also create a deeper understanding and appreciation of the intricate web of wildlife outside your door." (Cabin Life )
"In an area that is as open and wooded as ours, we may not be aware that there is more to the need for natives than concern about invasive species that upset an ecosystem. According to Tallamy, a balanced ecosystem needs more insects. It is when the balance of the system is disrupted that problems arise." (The Recorder )
"Tallamy's book is a call to arms. There is not much ordinary citizens can do to create large new preserves. But we can make better use of the small green spaces we have around our houses. While the situation in the United States is quite serious, Tallamy offers options that anyone with a garden, even a postage-stamp-sized one like mine, can do to help." (St. Petersburg Times )
"[It] is the book that is going to change how gardening is conducted over the next century." (Ants, Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Nature Blog )
You can look at this book as a manifesto explaining why we should favor native plants, but it s much more than that. It s a plan to sustain the endangered biodiversity and even more, it s a plan to transform suburbia from an environmental liability to an environmental asset. (Eco-Libris Blog )
This updated and expanded edition is a delight to read and a most needed resource." (Warwick Beacon )
"Tallamy makes such a compelling case for the importance of insects to birds that I ve completely changed the way I garden. From now on, insect attractors are my first choices." (Birding Business )
"Tallamy illustrates well how gardeners have contributed greatly to tipping the environment off balance and how they are equally able to turn the trend Plants and insects are integrally intertwined. Understanding the beauty of these relationships deepens our appreciation of our gardens and the important role we play." (Winston-Salem Journal )
"Doug Tallamy's book is a gift. It's not the kind of gift wrapped with a pink ribbon and a tiny rose tucked into the bow. It's the kind of gift that shakes you to your core and sets you on the path of healing. Your garden. Your planet. One plant at a time. Open it." (Plant Whatever Brings You Joy Blog )
"Buy, borrow, or steal this book! It is essential reading with ideas that need to become part of our understanding of how life works on this planet." (Prairie Moon Nursery blog )
"This book is not a rant on nature gardening, nor is it a typical garden design book, or a stuffy academic textbook. The author might be a professor but he has written a book which is readable, scientific, fascinating, and highly digestible." (Loving Nature's Garden Blog )
"This is the 'it' book in certain gardening circles. It's really struck a nerve." (Philadelphia Inquirer )
"My book of choice of the year." (Buffalo News )
He combines the passion which many of us have, with the science, and thats a winning combination. (Indianapolis Star )
Tallamy explains in beautiful prose the importance of native plants to our wildlife. (Plain Dealer )
Book Description
75 good reasons to plant natives.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Rick Darke is a landscape design consultant and widely published author and photographer focused on regional landscape design. He has received the Scientific Award of the American Horticulture Society, and two of his books, The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses and The American Woodland Garden, have earned book awards. He lives in Landenberg, Pennsylvania.
Douglas W. Tallamy is Professor and Chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities.
Douglas W. Tallamy is Professor and Chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities.
