Native and Ornamental Conifers in the Pacific Northwest

There are a number of conifer guides available for the Pacific Northwest. Most of these guides, however, focus on native cultivars. Master gardener Elizabeth Price has put together a new guide that includes ornamentals alongside natives, arguing that most people are not necessarily concerned with distinguishing between the two, especially in a residential setting. Based on her experiences teaching workshops on conifer identification and cultivation, Price has developed identification charts that are suitable for specialists but focused on making the information as accessible as possible for amateurs. Although the book’s primary goal is identification, it also weaves in natural history and a little personal narrative.