People exploring nature in the greater San Francisco Bay Area can use this handyphotographic field guide to identify annual and perennial (non-shrubby) native wildflower species. The flowers in the guideare grouped by color to make identification as easy as possible, and the accompanying textindicates size, bloom period, and other characteristics of each plant. The guides six double-sidedpanels fold up into a packet narrow enough to fit in a back pocket yet sturdy enough to stand upunder repeated use. Lamination has also made the guide waterproof. The plants identified in Wildflowers of the Bay Areagrow in a largeregion that includes the valleys, mountains, and coastal plains of10 counties including San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano,Napa, Sonoma and Marin.

"Plants of the San Francisco Bay Region is a user-friendly guide with excellent photographs that fills an important need in the botanical community locally. A good guide for students and beginning nature lovers, though even sophisticated plant enthusiasts will consult it for its easy style and useful photos."--Frank Almeda, California Academy of Sciences

A great resource for botanists, native plant enthusiasts, ecologists, conservationists, and amateur naturalists who desire a comprehensive, up-to-date, and well-illustrated book for the identification of plants of the Pacific Northwest. This is the definitive guide to the rich and varied plant life of the region, from the ocean shore to the crest of the Cascades, from British Columbia south through the Klamath Mountains of southwestern Oregon and the Siskiyous in northwestern California. Its botanical coverage is complete, including plants native to the region as well as those that have been introduced and become naturalized. More than 2500 species are fully described, with user-friendly keys and more than 700 color photographs and 350 line drawings to facilitate successful identification.

Gardening. Environmental Studies. Photographs by Saxon Holt. Illustrations by Richard Pembroke. This lavishly illustrated book celebrates the challenges and opportunities of gardening in Mediterranean climates, with special reference to northern California's San Francisco Bay Region. The core of the book is a catalog of more than 650 plants suited to regions with mild, usually wet winters and dry, often hot summers. These plants thrive with moderate to no summer irrigation when established, require little or no maintenance, and are reasonably available from nurseries, botanic gardens, native plant sales, or specialty seed suppliers. Many of the 542 color photographs show plants in garden settings to suggest attractive and compatible plant combinations. Summary charts provide information on each plant, such as bloom time, needs for water and sun, and preferences for coastal or inland microclimates. Lists suggest plants for special situations, such as hot sites, dryish shade, small gardens, and clay soils. Chapters on landscape design and maintenance inspire readers to make gardens that use little water and no harmful chemicals, with a focus on building healthy soil. Practical steps to successful design are supplemented with ideas for designing with microclimate, attracting wildlife, and fire safety. Sidebars by local experts discuss weather, natural landscapes, design solutions, and gardening with recycled water. "A valuable resource for climate-compatible gardening in the San Franciso Bay Area that will also be of interest to gardeners in other parts of the world with a similar seasonal pattern of winter rain and dry summers. This book will occupy a prominent place in my library for many years to come." Katherine Greenberg, president Mediterranean Garden Society "This book is beautifully designed with abundant photographs of plants, many in garden settings, and it is packed with the kind of information gardeners need for their own special situations. Simply stunning Bravo " Phyllis M. Faber, editor University of California Press"

Your guide to native plants of the San Francisco Bay Area and the Central Coast regions.

This is an introduction to the native and naturalized trees of the Bay Area, which for this book extends roughly from Mendocino to Monterey and inland to Mt. Diablo.