An authoritative handbook focused on the important practice of ecological gardening, a modern and increasingly popular approach that treats the garden as the living ecosystem it is. Essential Guide to Ecological Gardening, from The American Horticultural Society, shares insight on the many ways gardeners can embrace nature for a healthier, more vibrant home landscape. True ecological gardening goes far beyond the battle cry of “Leave the leaves!” spread across social media every autumn. It is about making thoughtful decisions in your garden each and every day, knowing they impact the millions of plants and animals living there and the greater environment beyond. Becoming a responsible steward of a thriving garden ecosystem has never been more important.Some of the ecological gardening concepts you’ll learn in these beautifully illustrated pages include how to: Design a garden that’s both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically sound Foster a greater diversity of plants and animals