Often overlooked by other gardening writers, seaside plants need to battle salinity, hostile environmental stress, poor soil, drought and downpours, high winds, humidity and heat, and this handbook helps gardeners conquer these obstacles and grow functional, beautiful plants. Original.

"A superb guidebook for amateur naturalists, students in a variety of ecology-oriented courses, and gardeners who wish to assess new species."—American Horticulturist Beggar's ticks and marsh pink. Tearthumbs and chairmaker's rush. Live oak, pitch pine, wild black cherry, sassafras, and loblolly pine. From eelgrass rooted in wrack lines on windswept back shores to hardy maritime forests sculpted by strong winds and salt spray, the Mid-Atlantic coast is rich with a variety of habitats and an abundance of common, if not always familiar, plants. In Common Plants of the Mid-Atlantic Coast, Gene M. Silberhorn provides a field guide to the plants found along the coast from Long Island Sound to North Carolina's barrier islands. This introduction to the fragile ecology and remarkable beauty of the flora of the coastal region was highly praised by reviewers when it was first published in 1982. This revised edition retains the features that earned it acclaim and provides a wealth of new information. The three sections of the book correspond to the natural divisions of the landscape: Section One covers beaches, dunes, and marine forests; Section Two includes salt and brackish marshes; and Section Three reviews plants found in tidal and nontidal freshwater wetlands. Each section of Common Plants begins with an introduction that describes the characteristics of the area and the flora to be found there. Individual plant entries follow. Delicate illustrations accompany facing page descriptions that aid in identification and provide concise background information, as well as delightful anecdotes. An easy- to-use key helps readers identify plants in the field according to physical features. Plant entries now includes the subheadings: "Growth Habit and Diagnostic Characteristics," where the reader will find descriptions of general appearance, "Distribution," which tells where along the coast the plant is found, "Habitat," and, particularly important in this age of heightened environmental awareness, "Ecological Value/Benefits." The author has also added each plant's "Wetland Indicator Status," which estimates a species' frequency of occurrence in wetland habitats. Seventeen species have been added to this fully updated second edition. The appendices now include websites for various federal and state, coastal parks, refuges, and natural areas.

A thorough survey of all the information necessary for choosing plants for landscaping purposes in the eastern half of North America. Details what plant species and varieties are available, what their characteristics are, and how they suit particular climates. Includes line drawings of all species, diagrams of their environmental requirements and periods of bloom, plus many photos.

"Master Gardener Marie Harrison takes readers through a variety of plants that can serve as groundcovers in the American South, ranging from herbs and perennials to shrubs and native plants, including a section on what plants to avoid. Each entry gives detailed information on ideal growing conditions for the plant, how to care for it, and different selections within each species. Color photographs and line drawings make identification easy." -- back cover.