Woody Natives With Year-Round Value

Trees & shrubs for wildlife and beauty

It's not easy diversifying garden structure, which makes a landscape beautiful to us and attractive to wildlife. What shrubs and trees are best for wildlife like insects and birds, and that provide aesthetic delight for us in every season? Why are woody plants as critical as perennial flowers for a healthy ecological community?

We'll go in depth covering over 50 shrubs and trees that provide essential wildlife services in multiple seasons, all while understanding their role in landscape design. We'll answer how the plants grow, what they need to thrive, and what ecosystem services they provide. Join award-winning author, speaker, and garden designer Benjamin Vogt on a fifty-minute journey to inspire and invigorate your natural landscape. You can make a difference for wildlife!

All sales are final and no refunds will be issued. Class is self paced and remains online at the sole discretion of the author. You have unlimited access to the class as long at it remains online. Class and all material is the sole copyright of Benjamin Vogt (author) and can't be rebroadcast, transcribed, or shared in any way without the prior written permission of the author.


Your Instructor


Benjamin Vogt
Benjamin Vogt

Benjamin Vogt writes a weekly column for Houzz.com -- his nearly 200 articles explore the philosophical and practical sides of our gardens, from design strategies to wildlife value using native plants. He has spoken nationally to botanical gardens, environmental organizations, city parks staff, as well as local garden clubs and community groups. His writing and photography are featured in over 100 publications and books, including a guide on butterfly gardens from The Xerces Society and the anthology The Tallgrass Prairie Reader. Benjamin is the author of A NEW GARDEN ETHIC, has a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska, and is an award winning teacher of over 50 classes. He lives in Lincoln dreaming of restoring a prairie, opening a nursery, and hosting an artist residency program on 20-40 acres.


Course Curriculum


  First Section
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We're truly sorry about that, however, courses are nonrefundable. All sales are final.

"I liked how he connected what we do in our gardens to the overall health of our ecosystem. He provided facts I hadn't heard before and I walked away from the presentation inspired to make changes."

"Wonderful! Combination of knowledge, wit, and alacrity of presentation.... So interested in his topic that he made me interested!"

"He did an outstanding job bridging practical gardening with the philosophy behind why we need native plants in our landscapes. He had great photos, statistics, and personal stories."


-- Gardens should be revolutions that wake us to our world. --

Get started now!