Elizabeth Price has been a certified master gardener since 2008 and has been leading workshops on conifers for other master gardeners and for the public for over a decade.  This interest in conifers lead to her writing a book on the subject, which Oregon State University Press published this past June.  Elizabeth also took all of the 1,000 photographs that appear in the book.  She holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Arizona and has worked as a professional writer, editor, and curriculum designer.  

Most conifer guides available for the Pacific Northwest focus on native species observed in the wild. Native and Ornamental Conifers in the Pacific Northwest presents an integrated perspective for understanding and identifying conifers in any landscape where native and ornamental species grow alongside each other. It is suitable for landscape designers, horticulturalists, arborists, gardeners, environmental scientists, and botanists.

Based on her experiences teaching workshops on conifer identification and cultivation, Elizabeth Price has developed Jargon-free photographic charts, which allow for side-by-side comparison of conifer features and guide the reader to species identification. The charts are detailed enough for specialists yet accessible to amateurs.

The book includes extensive material on the characteristics, botany, and natural history of conifer plant families, genera, and species, all illustrated with original photographs. Research across many disciplines is blended with direct observation and personal experience, creating a book that goes beyond identification and is both rigorous and engaging.  Visit Native and Ornamental Conifers in the Pacific Northwest | OSU Press (oregonstate.edu) today for a copy of Elizabeth's book.