A brief description and history of each state's flower and tree symbols, plus those of Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and American Virgin Islands.

Bill Beaurain offers a list of U.S. state symbols, as a part of the Garden Helper resource. The state flowers, trees, and birds are listed.

Official State Flowers and Trees: Their Unique Stories arranges the histories of the trees and flowers chosen by each of the states and territories of the United States into an entertaining, informative, and comprehensive guide to the honored species. Over the years, Americans have approached the choices of naming their states and territories official choices with passion. In this guide, Glynda Joy Nord explores the details of these intriguing stories and, with a plant-lovers touch, holds up each tree and flower, revealing the distinctive elements of each choice. Dedicating a chapter to each state and territory, Official State Flowers and Trees presents the flowers and trees through detailed line drawings, followed by the unique stories that tell how people came to choose them and what physical traits they found attractive. Additional background stories delve into the poetry, mythology, history, and biology tied to each species. You may see references to state flowers and trees on license plates, old postage stamps, state seals, and commemorative coins. You might notice the trees and flowers around you as you travel. If you then begin to wonder about the stories of those plants, then Official State Flowers and Trees: Their Unique Stories will help you satisfy your curiosity as you learn about their beauty, their histories, and the decisions that made them this countrys official symbols.

In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world.