Like many gardeners, my awareness and appreciation for native plants has greatly increased in recent years. I love discovering native plants that are well-adapted to my garden’s soil conditions and climate, and have made it my goal to add as many as possible to my garden beds.

So I was excited to hear that Mark Richardson and Dan Jaffe have written a new book specifically for gardeners in our region: Native Plants for New England Gardens (© 2018, Rowman & Littlefield)

Mark and Dan both have extensive hands-on experience working with native plants at the New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods in Framingham, Massachusetts. I first got to know them through their contributions to Fine Gardening‘s Northeast regional pages, and found their passion for native plants to be contagious. So I can’t wait to learn which garden-worthy native plants they have chosen to highlight in their new book, now available from Amazon

Native Plant Resources for Outside New England

Another excellent resource for native plant enthusiasts throughout the U.S. is the  Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Native Plants Database.

Use the site’s “Combination Search” function to sift through 9,135 native plants using parameters like geographical location, sun exposure, soil moisture, and plant characteristics such as height and bloom time. It’s a fun way to explore the incredible diversity of our North American native species and find just the right ones for your garden. Check it out–your local pollinators and songbirds will be glad that you did!

This Week’s Spring Picks:

Days to Spring: 13 – This Garden Tool is a Must-Have

There isn’t much that Eliot Coleman doesn’t do well. He’s a farmer, author, lecturer, and arguably the father of the modern organic movement. Now add to that list inventor and garden tool innovator… Read more.

Days to Spring: 14 – Pelletized Seeds Mean Easier Sowing – and Designing

I have always admired gardeners who put in the effort to arrange their vegetable plots in an attractive manner. The artful arrangement of lettuce plants always gets me, but try as I might… Read more.

See the whole list.

Countdown to Spring:

Check back tomorrow for Fine Gardening’s Countdown to Spring to find out what tools, plants, books – and more! – we are excited about this season. And join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest – tell us what you are excited about this spring, too!

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Corona® Multi-Purpose Metal Mini Garden Shovel

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Longer Service Life: The blade of this round small shovel is made of carbon steel, which can effectively improve the hardness by high temperature quenching, and the surface has anti-rust coating to avoid rusting. In the process of use when encountering hard objects will not bend and deformation. Sturdy Structure: The small garden shovel with D-handle, ergonomically designed grip can increase the grip of the hand when using, the handle is made of strong fiberglass, will not bend and break under heavy pressure. Quick Digging: Well-made digging shovel has a sharp blade, and the round shovel head is designed to easily penetrate the soil and cut quickly while digging to enhance your work efficiency.

Buy at Amazon

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

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Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

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Spear & Jackson 4930FZ Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner

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Telescopic tree pruner with SK5 carbon steel blade which stays sharper for longer. Variable length telescopic handle extends up to 92 Inch (2340mm). Lopper for cutting branches up to 1.2" (30mm). 13 inch (330mm) saw is ideal for cutting thicker branches. Supplied with a long cord and pull-action handle. Part of the Razorsharp Advantage collection, the obvious choice for gardeners who demand and expect precise, powerful performance. "Grow Your Own" Great British Growing 2020 Award Winners.

Buy at Amazon