Gardeners use native plants for several reasons. For many, their initial attraction is to native plants' reputation for being low maintenance, as well as their ability to survive difficult soil and weather conditions. But equally appealing is the joy of connecting with nature and our state's natural heritage and the satisfaction of creating a real sense of place rather than just another cookie-cutter landscape. "Landscaping with Native Plants of Minnesota" is the first book designed to help you identify Minnesota's native plants and plant communities and to demonstrate how to use them effectively in a typical home landscape. In this book you'll find the basic gardening information you need for working with the native plants of Minnesota. You'll learn what level of native-plant landscaping is right for you and get valuable information on the process of designing a natural garden that fits your lifestyle and family. You'll also find lots of plant lists for specific styles of gardens. In the Gallery of Gardens section, you'll be inspired by what your fellow Minnesota gardeners have done with native plants in their own landscapes, including a prairie restoration, a suburban woodland garden, and a garden for wildlife. The Native Plant Profiles section includes comprehensive descriptions of some 600 species of flowers and groundcovers, trees, shrubs, vines, evergreens, grasses, and ferns native to Minnesota, as well as information on planting, maintenance, and landscape uses for each plant. About the Author: Lynn M. Steiner is one of the best-known gardening writers in Minnesota. Her enthusiasm for native plants and gardening stems from her childhood curiosity about all things natural as well as 20 years of tending her own extensive home gardens. For 15 years she was the editor of Northern Gardener magazine, and under her direction it earned several awards for ""Overall Excellence"" from the Minnesota Magazine & Publications Association.