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Gardening Reference

Lists

PA Native Plants with High Wildlife Value - detailed information on the distribution of plants with high wildlife value across the state, including whether or not they are native to Berks.

Books

Bringing Nature Home, by Douglas Tallamy. Timber Press, 2007.

A comprehensive, yet extremely readable book that details the connection between native plants, insects, and wildlife. This is a groundbreaking book in every sense of the word. I predict that this book, and the associated research, will win Dr. Tallamy the Nobel Prize one day. Dr. Tallamy makes the case that native plants play a crucial role in sustaining native insects, which in turn provide food for wildlife; populations of wildlife are suffering and will continue to decline unless native plants are incorporated back into our alien-dominated landscapes. This is not theoretical - Dr. Tallamy has done his own research, and looked at the research of others, and the compiled evidence is convincing. The moment I closed this book, I decided that Sugarbush Nursery would become an exclusively native plant nursery (this will be phased in over 2-3 years).

The book would be worth the purchase price just for the excellent reference lists included: a complete list of the plant varieties associated with each type of butterfly found in the US, and plants with high wildlife value for all parts of the country. This is an essential reference book that every gardener should own.

“Native Plants for Wildlife Conservation and Landscaping”, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

This publication is a great full-color primer on native plants in the Chesapeake Bay watershed area. Get a free copy mailed to you by sending a request to mary_cordovilla@fws.gov.

Websites

www.dcnr.state.pa.us/Forestry/invasivetutorial/List.htm
Fact sheets, identification guides, and control suggestions for all invasive plants in PA. A must-see reference for “problem plants” in your yard.

Articles

Area Nurseries

Great nurseries have great plants and knowledgeable sales people. Here are our favorites:

Native trees and shrubs: Edge of the Woods Native Plants Nursery in Orefield, PA. Tell Sue and Louise we sent you!

Herbs: King's Herb Nook of Honey Brook, on Rt. 10 just south of intersection with Rt. 322.

A good selection of trees and shrubs: Conestoga Nursery on Rt. 625, north of Blue Ball, PA.

Local Groups

The Berks Hort Club has something for everyone, from the novice to the experienced gardener, and offers a host of great guest speakers, workshops, and events throughout the year. And it's a great value - only $10 a year per person, and $15 for a family. There's no reason not to join!