Oklahoma Native Plants

The native plants of Oklahoma are rarely incorporated into ornamental landscape plans. But why? Those plants have evolved to thrive in the diverse ecosystems of Oklahoma while supporting native wildlife. In this book, Oklahoma Landscape Architects Connie Scothorn and Brian Patric provide a conversational discussion of the beauty and benefits of many of the native plants. This will help you choose, plant and care for native forbs and grasses that pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and birds so desperately need to thrive. This second edition of Oklahoma Native Plants has been written to include over 200 full color images, over 100 native plants and more advice to encourage a greater success with native plants in Oklahoma's ornamental landscape. Oklahoma Native Plants includes the latest planting zone maps, a Q&A, Plant Selection Guide, an index of plant names (common and scientific) and additional resources, with pages of beautiful color photography of the plants themselves.

Oklahoma landscape architects Connie Scothorn and Brian Patric have years of experience using native plants in landscape plans for commercial, residential and public properties. They have learned that the plants are more successful over time, surviving and thriving in Oklahoma's diverse and sometimes challenging climate. In addition, the plants provide food and habitat to support our native pollinators such as bees, butterflies and birds that are threatened or endangered. They also provide ecosystem services including erosion control, stormwater management and carbon sequestration. Yet, these plants are seldom incorporated into landscape plans for commercial, public or residential designs. Why? Perhaps because people don't understand the benefits they provide. This book profiles over 100 native forbs and grasses, giving detailed descriptions of their beauty, growing conditions, and benefits to wildlife. In addition, over two hundred of beautiful full-color photos show the plant characteristics. Complete with advice on planting, a plant selection guide, planting zone maps, an index of plant names (common and scientific) and additional resources. Local places to view native plants are referenced. This second edition of Oklahoma Native Plants follows the successful first edition, published in 2019. It includes valuable advice to encourage greater success with native plants in Oklahoma's ornamental landscape.

Connie Scothorn, RLA, ASLA, founded the landscape architectural firm of CLS & Associates in 1999 in Oklahoma City. She holds a bachelor's degree in horticulture-landscape design from Oklahoma State University and is a licensed landscape architect. She is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and a founding member of the Oklahoma Native Plant Network.