The Native Landscape Reader

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THE NATIVE LANDSCAPE READER EdiTEd by robErT E. grESE The Native Landscape Reader is a collection of articles and essays about native plants, nature-based gardens, landscape aesthetics, and conservation by late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century landscape architects, horticulturists, botanists, and conservationists . Common threads running through the articles are a deep appreciation of native plants and a strong conservation ethic. Many of the selections—by Jens Jensen, O. C. Simonds, Elsa Rehmann, and others—originally appeared in obscure publications that were short-lived and are therefore difficult to locate today, and thus represent a rich but hidden literature. Grese’s new introduction provides context for these writings and the principles they espoused. His thoughtprovoking conclusion focuses on the relevance of these essays in light of today’s emerging emphasis on sustainable design. The collection is the outgrowth of many years of Grese’s research into the work of Jensen, Simonds, and others who advocated for native plants and conservation principles in their designs. Relying on his own sense of discovery and joy in finding these writings, Grese has purposely avoided literature that is already widely available. This unique collection will appeal to general readers and gardeners , as well as students, historians, and specialists. The NaTive LaNdscape ReadeR ...