This attractive, practical guide explains how to transform backyard gardens into living ecosystems that are not only enjoyable retreats for humans, but also thriving sanctuaries for wildlife. Beautifully illustrated with full-color photographs, this book provides easy-to-follow recommendations for providing food, cover, and water for birds, bees, butterflies, and other small animals. Emphasizing individual creativity over conventional design, Bauer asks us to consider the intricate relationships between plants and wildlife and our changing role as steward, rather than manipulator, of these relationships.In an engaging narrative that endorses simple and inexpensive methods of wildlife habitat gardening, Nancy Bauer discusses practices such as recycling plant waste on site, using permeable pathways, growing regionally appropriate plants, and avoiding chemical fertilizers and insecticides. She suggests ways of attracting pollinators through planting choices and offers ideas for building water sources and shelters for wildlife. A plant resource guide, tips for propagating plants, seasonal plants for hummingbirds, and host plants for butterflies round out The California Wildlife Habitat Garden, making it an indispensable primer for those about to embark on creating their own biologically diverse, environmentally friendly garden.

Acknowledgments Why Garden for Wildlife? CHAPTER 1 Growing a Wildlife Garden The Adler Garden, Walnut Creek CHAPTER 2 Bird Habitat: From Quail to Hummingbirds Quail Hollow, Tujunga CHAPTER 3 The Pollinator Garden: Butterflies, Bees, and Other Beneficial Insects Charlotte's Habitat, Novato CHAPTER 4 The Wildlife Pond The Biggses' Pond, Sebastopol CHAPTER 5 Front Yard Habitat: Burying the Lawn Aesthetic The Blackstone Monarch Habitat, San Jose The Pacheco Wildlife Garden, Fountain Valley The LaMar-Goerke Wildlife Garden, Mill Valley APPENDICES Starting a Habitat Garden APPENDIX A Natural Gardening Guidelines APPENDIX B Native Plant Communities APPENDIX C Oaks in the Landscape APPENDIX D Plants for Hedgerows APPENDIX E Seasonal Plants for Hummingbirds APPENDIX F Common California Butterflies and Host Plants APPENDIX G Top Nectar and Pollen Plant Families APPENDIX H Invasive Pest Plants APPENDIX I Sources of California Native Plants APPENDIX J Books and Resources Bibliography Plant Index