Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest

Sally S. Weeks was born and grew up on a dairy farm near Winamac, Indiana. She received a BSF in wildlife management and a MS in forestry from Purdue's Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, where she now teaches tree and shrub identification. Harmon P. Weeks Jr. is a professor of wildlife science in forestry and natural resources at Purdue University and has taught habitat management for over thirty years. Michael Homoya is state botanist for the Indiana Division of Nature Preserves, holds two degrees in botany from Southern Illinois University, and is renowned for his knowledge of Midwestern flora.

This book is a wonderful marriage of information for both hmiiculturalists and those whose background is primarily in wildlife and forestry, the same background as Sally Weeks and Harmon Weeks, longtime educators at Purdue. Sally Weeks states in the preface that "our personal landscaping goals have always revolved around attracting wildlife to the area and improving the landscape from an aesthetic as well as a diversity standpoint." The book's content clearly reflects these ideas. The volume is divided into four main sections: "Native Shrubs," "Native Vines," "Introduced Shrubs," and "Introduced Vines." Every entry includes scientific/common names along with three to eight excellent photographs, a detailed range map, and a note regarding distinctions between similar species. Flowers and fruits are very good identifiers for plants, but are not typically present in the off-seasons (early spring, late fall, and winter). This book includes helpful photos of bark and terminal buds as well as form and size descriptions. An extensive index, a list of native-plant nurseries, and a dichotomous key support the text. Given the book's size, it may be considered a little heavy for field use, but the value of the content makes it wotih taking along. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Regional collections serving all general, academic, and professional audiences. --C. M Caretta, Rochester College ("CHOICE") Indiana Native Plant and Wildlife Society [Indianapolis, Indiana; Vol. 19, No. 2, Summer 2012; by Barbara Plampin, Ph.D., field botanist, and Life Director of the Shirley Heinze Land Trust] This book makes identification as easy as it gets. The authors combine original keys and easy-to-use classifications in the table of contents with abundant gorgeous color photographs. The Herald Times [Bloomington, Indiana; May 5, 2012; by Bob Baird] It was refreshing to run into a naturalist who knows her stuff and backs it up with a definitive volume with more than 1,000 color plates (her own) of leaves, stems, flowers, berries and landscape settings of shrubs and woody vines native to Indiana and surrounding states. Sally proved to be a personable, knowledgeable speaker who doesn't drift into horticultural babble. Her writing style is equally fresh and engaging. Besides identifying my mystery shrub, she and husband Mick, a retired Purdue wildlife biologist, brought wonderful insights to our neck of the woods. The dedicated authors have created a field guide for the Midwest, focusing on desirable native shrubs and vines for the landscape. "Our personal landscaping goals have always revolved around attracting wildlife to the area and improving the landscape from an aesthetic as well as a diversity standpoint." They point out that these native plants are not only hardy, but also have many attractive characteristics. An illustrated glossary introduces readers to the particular plant parts that differentiate species. The plant directory is first divided into sections covering native versus introduced plants; these, in turn, are further divided by type. Summer and winter key guides assist the reader. Narrative passages for individual species include such characteristics as form and size, habitat, wildlife use, and landscaping value. Photographs of high clarity, locator maps, and tips on similar species are additional aids in identification. -- Marilyn K. Alaimo, garden writer and volunteer, Chicago Botanic Garden.