PRICE: NZ $39.95

Paperback, 256 pp; 1-877257-13-3

Have you ever wondered how best to incorporate New Zealand native plants into your garden? Or how to re-create a patch of native bush? This book is a rich compendium of ideas, describing the many and varied practical uses of New Zealand native plants.

With contributions from gardening experts to moving accounts from school children, this is a book by New Zealanders for New Zealand.

If you are wondering which New Zealand native plants are frost-tender, which prefer coastal sites or which are tall-growing species, there is an extensive A-Z glossary to guide you.

Advice on landscaping with natives and on cultivating from seed or cuttings is presented in richly illustrated chapters. If you want to play your part in conservation and grow rare and endangered species, or restore an area of native plant habitats, you will find the guidelines in this book.

For far too long introduced plants have overshadowed our native plants. This book will help ensure there is a better future for our rich and diverse flora.

Ian Spellerberg's interest in natural history and conservation started in New Zealand. He spent three summers in Antarctica, several years in Australia and then lived for many years in Europe, where ecology and conservation continued to be his passion. He is currently Professor of Nature Conservation and Director of the Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation at Lincoln University. He contributes to the work of the Scientific and Conservation Committee of Diversitas, based in Paris. Previous books include Monitoring Ecological Change (1991), Conservation Biology (1996) and The Ecological Effects of Roads (2002). He has also written an illustrated natural history book on the amphibians and reptiles of Europe.

David Given is Botanical Services Curator at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, and a consultant and part-time lecturer at Lincoln University, where he is an Associate Professor with the Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation. Working in over 50 countries, including the Antarctic, during his scientific career, David has a passionate interest in conservation horticulture and botanic gardens. He co-chairs the global plant conservation programme of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Species Survival Commission. Previous books include the Reeds Book of the Year finalist Rare and Endangered Plants of New Zealand (1981).