First published 2023
Douglas Tallamy addresses the decline of pollinator populations by teaching gardeners in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Great Lakes regions how to create habitats with native plants. His approach combines scientific knowledge with practical gardening advice, profiling over 300 native species from White Baneberry to Smooth Aster. Each plant entry includes blooming schedules, soil requirements, light needs, and companion planting suggestions, along with details about which specific pollinators benefit from each species. Tallamy moves beyond plant identification to cover site preparation and garden design for spaces ranging from apartment balconies to community plots. The guide integrates trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and water garden plants into comprehensive growing strategies. Readers gain both the botanical knowledge to select appropriate native species and the horticultural skills to establish thriving pollinator gardens that support local ecosystems.
Genres: nature, agriculture, gardening, non-fiction
Vibes: cozy, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: educational, practical-advice
Setting: Northeast, Upper Midwest, Great Lakes
264 pages · Paperback · Island Press