Book enthusiasts think of the technical, how-to types of plant book for garden friends on the holiday shopping list. But consider a good garden mystery or historical story for plant lovers, too. Here is a list of new releases and old favorites with ideas how to find them for that garden friend.
New Garden Books in 2008
These five new garden books include Planthropology that is about plants, explores how they were found and uses throughout history. Roy Diblik’s Small Perennial Gardens is a design book for perennial lovers:
- Planthropology: The Myths, Mysteries, and Miracles of My Garden Favorites is by Ken Druse. Copyrighted November 4, 2008, by publisher Clarkson Potter/Random House. Use ISBN – 978-1-4000-9783-8 to locate, it has 288 pages, priced at $50 US $57.50 Canada.
- Roy Diblik’s Small Perennial Garden: The Know Maintenance Approach is a soft cover book by Roy Diblik. Copyright 2008, it is published by American Nurseryman Publishing Company. Use ISBN 978-1-887632-00-3 to locate, it has 132 pages with watercolor drawings and garden photographs, priced at $24.95 US.
- Timber Press published The New Encyclopedia of Daylilies by Ted L. Petit and John P. Peat. Use ISBN 13: 9780881928587 to locate, it has 408 pages with 1751 color photos. Prices are $49.95 US and £ 30. Europe, Africa, Middle East.
- Coleus: Rainbow Foliage For Containers and Gardens written by Ray Rogers. Copyrighted March 2008, published by Timber Press. Use ISBN 13: 978-088192-865-5 or 10: 0881928658 to locate, it has 228 pages and 404 color photos. Priced at $29.95 US, £ 20.00.
- Water Garden Plants was coauthored by Greg Speichert and Sue Speichert and published by Timber Press. Use ISBN 13: 9780881928464 to locate, it has 213 pages and 315 color photos and 2 maps. Priced at $19.95 US and Canada and £ 14.99 Europe, Africa, and Middle East.
Books for Small Space Gardeners
Potted Gardens and Paradise Found, both by Rebecca Cole, are older books but loved by container gardeners for the eclectic ideas.
Cool Springs Press published Small Space Gardening by Melinda Myers in 2005. This soft cover book is an excellent resource for gardeners with small gardens, not just in the city. The photos show detailed, step-by-step directions throughout the book.
Historical Garden Books
Grandmother’s Garden: The Old-Fashioned American Garden 1865 – 1915 is by May Brawley Hill. Published by Harry N. Abrams, ISBN 0-8109-3389-6, the copyright is 1995, with 240 pages. The original price was $45. US.
Seed to Elegance: Kentia Palms of Norfolk Island, South Pacific was written by Kevin Williams. Published by Studio Monarch Books, use ISBN is 978-0-9775121-1-9 to locate. Priced at $18.95 US.
Cozy Fictional Garden Mysteries
Two authors who have written gardening mystery books are Janis Harrison and Ann Ripley. Sometimes called cozy mysteries, each of these authors has weaved the world of gardening into their mystery stories.
Ann Ripley's mystery books include a garden essays while Janis Harrison’s first book, Roots of Murder, introduced Bretta Solomon, owner of a florist shop in a Midwestern town. These books come in used hardcover or new paperback form; the stories are wonderful for winter reading.
Where to Locate Garden Books
Gift givers will find more garden ideas on garden websites or at garden centers open all year. Booksellers who sell college textbooks are excellent sources for technical plant books. Some may be used and sold at a reduced price but can have relevant plant information if the copyright is within a few years.
Book publisher websites are another place to find garden books. Fantastic Fiction is a place to locate older fiction mystery books.
Public gardens with gift shops are good sources for regional garden books. Gardeners like to patronize favorite botanic gardens or arboretums.
Permission received for all photos used in this article.
Chris Eirschele - Chris writes on plants grown and gardens explored; she is a member of the Garden Writers Association.
Join the Conversation