4 Great Gift Books for the Garden Lover

We are just swimming in new garden books that are knocking our socks off. We didn’t have room for all of them in our December gift guide, so here are a few more to choose from. Happy shopping/reading/gardening!

Cultivating Garden Style (Timber Press, 2014; $35)

Ok let’s be honest, I’m not giving this one as a gift. It’s mine. I’ve been obsessed with Rochelle Greayer for years now, hooked on her Studio ‘g’ blog (which, disclaimer, is not exclusively Western, but when she covers it, she nails it). She’s written her first book, a guide to discovering and creating your unique garden style. It’s so useful for anyone looking to have a unifying style to their outdoor space, from hardscape, to plant choices, to furniture and finishing touches. It’s thorough, inspirational, and a total win. Rochelle, if you’re reading this, I’m your #1 fan girl. Wet your palate with this fun quiz, and then buy the book.

Through the Seasons with Dulcy (Carpe Diem Books, Portland, 2014; $23)

Oregonians, rejoice! Compiled by Ted Mahar, this book is full of witty, inspiring advice from late Oregonian garden columnist Dulcy Mahar. On tropicals: “Don’t buy more than you can afford to lose.” On growing success: use “great (read: ‘amended’) soil.” On best spring plants: ferns, Solomon’s seal, and “Epimedium x rubrum, one of the loveliest ground covers there is.” Buy it here.

Air Plants: The Curious World of Tillandsias (Timber Press, 2014; $20)

What’s the best way to garden and keep your nails clean? What are some of the easiest plants to weave into home decor? What needs nothing but a dunking of water and an occasional misting? You guessed it! Air plants! And while we’ve all had a few in our possession, this book (written by Flora Grubb Gardens‘ own Zenaida Sengo and photographed by the insanely talented Caitlin Atkinson) takes a deep dive into different varieties, care, and projects Buy it here, and check out the fun project below:

The Living Landscape (Timber Press, 2014; $40)

Two rock star horticulturalists, Rick Darke & Doug Tallamy, have crafted a rich guide on creating sustainable landscapes. This book preaches techniques that will create beauty, maintain environmental integrity, and offer shelter and sustenance for a wide variety of wildlife. It’s full of delicious photographs. While not exclusively Western, this book has some pretty awesome plant lists for all of Sunset’s regions, with input from experts in each region. Score your copy here.