My 3-Book Guide to Gardening with Native Plants

When I started reading about gardening with native plants, I found that many books felt repetitive, but there were a few that really stood out from the crowd. This is a list of the top books I'd recommend, in the order that I would read them in if you're just getting started. By the time you're done, you'll have a clear understanding of the why, the how and the what of gardening with native plants.

Nature's Best Hope

by Douglas Tallamy

Nature's Best Hope will give you an excellent understanding of where we are, how we got here and what we can do about it. He clearly explains the importance of native plants to an ecosystem, and provides clear examples of people who have recovered the ecosystem in their area by restoring the land. Tallamy has also written a young reader's version of this book, which I would recommend if you are short on time and want to absorb the information quickly.

Planting in a Post-Wild World

by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West

Planting in a Post-Wild World turned much of what I thought I knew about gardening and turned it on its head. They outline archetypes so you can plant a landscape that feels authentic to your area; give guidance on how to design cohesive landscapes that look beautiful year round; and offer concepts about soil and plant relationships that forever changed how I select plants.

Gaia's Garden

by Toby Hemenway

Gaia's Garden is entertaining, informational and illustrative – all qualities that help ensure that I actually finish a book. Through this book, Hemenway introduced me to permaculture, a gardening method that works with nature while eliminating harmful chemicals, redundant tasks and wasteful practices. The book includes excellent illustrations and charts to guide you through the concepts.