Gardening Books

Gardening Books

Below is a monthly compilation of new gardening books based on notices from publishers and authors. Use this list to keep abreast of current trends and practices as well as a resource for gifts. This list is updated monthly in pegplant.com, a local resource for gardeners in the DC metro area.

New Books: 2023 – 2024

October 2024

One Garden Against the World: In Search of Hope in a Changing Climate by Kate Bradbury, Bloomsbury Publishing

Tree: Exploring the Arboreal World by Phaidon Editors with an introduction by Tony Kirkham, Phaidon Publishers

A New Cottage Garden: A Practical Guide to Creating a Picture-Perfect Cottage Garden by Mark Bolton and Tom Coward, Pimpernel Press

The Garlic Companion: Recipes, Crafts, Preservation Techniques, and Simple Ways to Grow Your Own by Kristin Graves, Storey Publishing

La Foce: Paradise in Tuscany by Katia Lysy, Simon Upton, Matteo Carassale, and Benedetta Origo, Rizzoli Publisher

Redouté: Fabulous Flowers by Pierre-Joseph Redouté, Dover Publications

Leaf, Cloud, Crow: A Weekly Backyard Journal by Margaret Renkl, Spiegel and Grau Publishers

Gardener’s World: A Year in a Small Garden by Frances Tophill, BBC Books

September 2024

Beekeeping for Gardeners: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Keeping Bees in Your Garden by Richard Rickitt, Bloomsbury Publishing

The Botanic Garden: The World’s Greatest Botanical Sanctuaries by Ambra Edwards, Frances Lincoln

August 2024

The Tree Collectors: Tales of Arboreal Obsession by Amy Stewart, Random House

A Bit of Earth: A Year in the Garden with God by Andrea G. Burke, Lexham Press

Complete Guide to Growing and Cultivating Herbs and Spices: Expert Advice for Planting Indoors and Outdoors, the Best Containers and Storage by Linda Gray, IMM Lifestyle Books

Llewellyn’s 2025 Herbal Almanac: A Practical Guide to Growing, Cooking and Crafting by Llewellyn, Llewellyn Publications

How Herbs Healed the World by Connor Smith, Mobius

July 2024

Shrouded in Light: Naturalistic Planting Inspired by Wild Shrublands by Kevin Philip Williams and Michael Guidi, Filbert Press

The Pollinator Garden: How to Attract Nature’s Heroes: Planting for Birds, Bees, and Butterflies by Dian Eaton, Painted Sunset Publishing

Small Space Revolution: Planting Seeds of Change in your Community by Tayshan Hayden-Smith, DK Publishing  

Visionary Landscape: Japanese Garden Design in North America, The Work of Five Contemporary Masters by Kendall H. Brown and David M. Cobb, Tuttle Publishing

The Garden Against Time: In Search of a Common Paradise by Olivia Laing, W. W. Norton & Company

Garden to Save the World: Grow Your Own, Save Money and Help the Planet by Joe Clark, One Boat

A Flower Garden for Pollinators by Rachel de Thame, Mobius

Wild Walking: A Guide to Forest Bathing Through the Seasons by Melanie Choukas-Bradley, Quarto Books

June 2024

A Year Full of Pots: Container Flowers for all Seasons by Sarah Raven and Jonathan Buckley, Bloomsbury Publishing

Hello Tiny World: An Enchanting Journey into the World of Creating Terrariums by Ben Newell, DK Publishing

Veere Grenney: Seeking Beauty by Veere Grenney, Vendome Press

Visionary: Gardens and Landscapes for our Future by Claire Takacs, Hardie Grant Press

The Plant Parent Guide: Create a Beautiful, Plant-Filled Home by Beth Chapman, Kyle Books

Outside In: A Year of Gowing and Displaying by Sean A. Pritchard, Mitchell Beazley

The Container Garden Recipe Book: 57 Designs for Pots, Window Boxes, Hanging Baskets and More by Lana Williams, Artisan

Taste Buds: A Field Guide to Cooking and Baking with Flowers by Nikki Fotheringham, Appetite by Random House

A Love Affair with Peonies by Alec White, Graffeg

The Super Bloom Handbook: Maximum Flowers. Minimum Effort by Jac Semmler, Thames & Hudson

The Lavender Companion: Enjoy the Aroma, Flavor, and Health Benefits of this Classic Herb by Terry Barlin Vesci and Jessica Dunham, Storey Publishing

A Floral Feast: A Guide to Growing and Cooking with Edible Flowers, Foliage, Herbs and Seeds by Carolyn Dunster, Pimpernel Press

Ferns: Indoors, Outdoors, Growing, Crafting by Mobee Weinstein, Cool Springs Press

Season Living with Herbs: How to Grow, Harvest, Preserve and Use Herbs Year Round, by Jess Buttermore, Yellow Pear Press

May 2024

The Garden Tourist’s Mid-Atlantic: A Guide to 90 Beautiful Historic and Public Gardens by Jana Milbocker, Enchanted Gardens

Grounded in the Garden: An Artist’s Guide to Creating a Beautiful Garden in Harmony with Nature by TJ Maher, Jason Ingram, Clive Nichols, Pimpernel Press

Flowering: Easygoing Floral Design for Surprising Contemporary Arrangements by Elizabeth Jaime, Chronicle Books

Garden Hacks by Filip Johansson, Murdoch Books

Edible Garden: Feed the Ground, Sow Seed, Care for the Crops, Gather, Pick and Feast by Vicky Chown, Frances Lincoln

The Side Gardener by Rosie Daykin, Random House

Garden Wonderland by Leslie Bennett and Julie Chai, Ten Speed Press

Beyond the Meadows by Susann Probst and Yannic Schon, Prestel

Tomatoes and Basil on the 5th Floor (the Frenchie Gardener) by Patrick Vernuccio, DK

The Gardening Book by Monty Don, Clarkson Potter

Bird-Friendly Gardening: Guidance and Projects for Supporting Birds in your Landscape by Jen McGuinness, Cool Springs Press

April 2024

Growing Herbs for Health, Wellness, Cooking, and Crafts By Kim Roman, Creative Homeowner

Making Fairy Garden Accessories: 22 Enchanting Projects for Your Backyard by Anna-Marie Fahmy and Andrew Fahmy, Fox Chapel Publishing

Everyday Bouquet: 52 Beautiful Arrangements for Every Season by Alex Vaughan, Cider Mill Press

How to Grow Flowers in Small Spaces: An Illustrated Guide to Planning, Planting, and Caring for Your Small Space Flower Garden by Stephanie Walker, Adams Media

Your Outdoor Room: How to Design a Garden You Can Live In by Manoj Malde, Frances Lincoln Publisher

A Short History of Flowers: The Stories That Make Our Garden by Advolly Richmond, Frances Lincoln

Floral Folklore: The Forgotten Tales Behind Nature’s Most Enchanting Plants by Alison Davies, Leaping Hare Press

Grow Lawns: Essential Know-How and Expert Advice for Gardening Success by DK, published by DK

Grow Shade Gardens: Essential Know-How and Expert Advice for Gardening Success by Zia Allaway, published by DK

Container and Small-Space Gardening for the South: How to Grow Flowers and Food No Matter Where You Live by Barbra W. Ellis

March 2024

Growing Bulbs in the Natural Garden: Innovative Techniques for Combining Bulbs and Perennials in Every Season by Jacqueline van der Kloet, Timber Press

The Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy-Care Flower Garden by Stacy Ling, Harvest House Publishers

Northern Virginia Native Plants for Homeowners by Julie Borneman (owner of Watermark Woods – Native Plants Nursery in Loudoun County, VA), Primedia eLaunch LLC

Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East, Revised and Expanded by Carolyn Summers and Kate Brittenham, Rutgers University Press

The Hidden Histories of Flowers: Fascinating Stories of Flora by Maddie Bailey and Alice Bailey, Hardie Grant

The Meadow Garden: Create a Low-Maintenance Wildflower and Native Plant Wonderland by Dian Eaton, Painted Sunset Publishing LLC

The Cut Flower Handbook: Select, Plant, Grow and Harvest Gorgeous Blooms by Lisa Mason Ziegler and Jessica Graven, Cool Springs Press

The Flower Yard in Containers and Pots: Creating Paradise Season by Season by Arthur Parkinson, Rizzoli Publishers

Mindful Garden: Serene Spaces for Outdoor Living by Stephanie Donaldson, Ryland Peters & Small

The Layered Edible Garden by Christina Chung, Cool Springs Press

Simplify Vegetable Gardening by Tony O’Neill, Cool Springs Press

The Climate Change Resilient Vegetable Garden: How to Grow Food in a Changing Climate by Kim Stoddart, Cool Springs Press

February 2024

¡Verdura! – Living a Garden Life: 30 Projects to Nurture Your Passion for Plants and Find Your Bliss by Perla Sofia Curbelo-Santiago, Cool Springs Press

The Greater Perfection: The Story of the Gardens at Les Quatre Vents by Francis H. Cabot, Marianne Cabot Welch, Laurie Olin, and Penelope Hobhouse, University of Chicago Press

Flower Farming for Profit by Lennie Larkin, Chelsea Green Publishing

Trees and Shrubs That Heal by Anne Stobart, Chelsea Green Publishing

Epic Homesteading by Kevin Espiritu of Epic Gardening, Cool Springs Press

My Gardening Journal: A Weekly Tracker and Logbook by Sarah Simon and Colin Simon, Penguin Random House

January 2024

Vegetable Gardening Made Easy: Simple Tips and Tricks to Grow your Best Garden Ever by Resh Gala, Cool Springs Press

Houseplants for Beginners: A Simple Guide for New Plant Parents for Making Houseplants Thrive by Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, New Shoe Press

Marvelous Mopheads: Hydrangeas for Home and Garden by Joan Harrison, Schiffer

The Celestial Garden: Growing Herbs, Vegetables, and Flowers in Sync with the Moon and Zodiac by Jane Hawley Stevens, Chelsea Green Publishing

How Not to Kill your Houseplant: Survival Tips for the Horticulturally Challenged by Veronica Peerless, DK Publishing

December 2023

Growing an Edible Landscape: How to Transform Your Outdoor Space into a Food Garden by Gary Pilarchik and Chiara D’Amore, Cool Springs Press

National Geographic Herbal: 100 Herbs from the World’s Healing Traditions by Mimi Prunella Hernandez, National Geographic

Botanic Gardens of the World: The Story of Science, Horticulture, and Discovery in 40 Gardens by Deborah Trentham, Mobius

A Garden A Day by Ruth Chivers, Batsford

November 2023

Darwin and the Art of Botany: Observations on the Curious World of Plants by James T. Costa and Bobbi Angell, Timber Press

The Garden Disruptors: The Rebel Misfits Who Turned Southern Horticulture on Its Head by Augustus Jenkins Farmer III (Jenks Farmer), Jenks Farmer Publisher

In Search of the Old Ones: An Odyssey Among Ancient Trees by Anthony D. Fredericks, Smithsonian Books

The Joy of Exploring Gardens by Lonely Planet, published by Lonely Planet

The Winter Garden: Celebrate the Forgotten Season by DK, published by DK

The English Gardener’s Garden by Phaidon Editors, Toby Musgrave, and Tania Compton, Phaidon Press

Garden: Exploring the Horticultural World by Phaidon Editors, Matthew Biggs (introduction), Phaidon Press

What Makes a Garden: A Considered Approach to Garden Design by Jinny Blom, Frances Lincoln

Edible: 70 Sustainable Plants That Are Changing How We Eat, by Kevin Hobbs, Artur Cisar-Erlach and Katie Kulla, Thames and Hudson

A Field Guide to Succulents: Colors, Shapes and Characteristics for Over 200 Amazing Varieties by Misa Matsuyama, Tuttle Publishing

The Milkwood Permaculture Living Handbook by Kirsten Bradley, Murdoch Books

The Encyclopedia of Cut Flowers: What Flowers to Buy, When to Buy Them, and How to Keep Them Alive Longer by Calvert Crary and Bruce Littlefield, Black Dog & Leventhal

October 2023

Plantphabet: A Stunningly illustrated A-Z Celebration of Popular Indoor Plants by Harper by Design

The Italian Vegetable Garden: A Complete Guide to Growing and Preparing Traditional Italian Style Vegetables  by Rosalind Creasy, Tuttle Publishing

Happy Plants, Happy You by Kamili Bell Hill, Cool Springs Press

The Cottage Garden by Claus Dalby, Cool Springs Press

Flower Love by Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht, Clarkson Potter

Edible Houseplants by Laurelynn Martin and Byron Martin, Storey Publishing

The Milkweed Lands by Eric Lee-Mader, Storey Publishing

What We Sow by Jennifer Jewell, Timber Press

Vegetable Gardening Made Easy by Resh Gala, Cool Springs Press

September 2023

Winter Gardens by Andrew Montgomery, Clearview Publishers

The Regenerative Landscaper: Design and Build Landscapes that Repair the Environment by Erik Ohlsen, Synergetic Press

Succulents for your Home and Garden: A Guide to Growing 191 Beautiful Varieties & 11 Step-by-Step Crafts and Arrangements by Gideon Smith and Jessica Surface, Creative Homeowner

The Compost Coach by Kate Flood, Murdoch Books

A Food Forest in Your Garden by Alan Carter, Permanent Publications

The Garden Maker’s Book of Wonder by Allison Vallin Kostovick, Storey Publishing

Gardening Can be Murder: How Poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels, and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers by Marta McDowell, Timber Press

August 2023

My Floral Affair: Whimsical Spaces and Beautiful Florals by Rachel Ashwell, CICO Books

Mindfulness in Gardening: Meditations on Growing and Nature, by Ark Redwood, Leaping Hare Press

Starter Vegetable Gardens: 24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic Gardens, 2nd Edition, by Barbara Pleasant, Storey Publishing

The Creative Vegetable Gardener: 60 Ways to Cultivate Joy, Playfulness, and Beauty Along with a Bounty of Food by Kelly Smith Trimble, Storey Publishing

What Bees Want: Beekeeping as Nature Intended by Susan Knilans and Jacqueline Freeman, Countryman Press

Mid-Atlantic Home Landscaping: 46 Landscape Designs with 200+ Plants and Flowers for Your Region, 4th Edition, by Roger Holmes, Rita Buchanan, and Mark Wolfe, Creative Homeowner

The Green Gardening Handbook: Grow, Eat and Enjoy by Nancy Birtwhistle, Bluebird

Planting with Nature: A Guide to Sustainable Gardening by Kirsty Wilson and Hazel France, Birlinn

Garden Futures: Designing with Nature by Jamaica Kincaid, Gilles Clement, Leo den Dulk, Kris Kozlowski, and Oliver Sukrow, Vitra Design Museum

House Plants for Every Space: A Concise Guide to Selecting, Designing and Maintaining Plants in any Indoor Space by Green Interior, Tuttle Publishing

July 2023

Private Gardens of the Potomac and Chesapeake: Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia by Claudia Kousoulas, Schiffer

Seed to Table: A Seasonal Guide to Organically Growing, Cooking and Preserving Food at Home by Luay Ghafari, Yellow Pear Press

The Love Language of Flowers: Floriography and Elevated, Achievable, Vintage-Style Arrangements by Jess Buttermore and Lisa McGuinness, Yellow Pear Press

The Biodiversity Gardener: Establishing a Legacy for the Natural World by Paul Sterry, Princeton University Press

A Curious Herbal: Elizabeth Blackwell’s Pioneering Masterpiece of Botanical Art by Marta McDowell (editor) and Janet Stiles Tyson (contributor), Abbeville Press

June 2023

The Herb Book: The Stories, Science and History of Herbs by DK, published by DK

Small Summer Gardens: 35 Bright and Beautiful Projects to Bring Color and Scent to your Garden by Emma Hardy, CICO Books

Dahlias: Seed to Bloom: The Dahlia Grower’s Companion by Kristine Albrecht and Brion Sprinsock, Independently Published

Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden by Camille T. Dungy, Simon & Schuster

House Plants: Love, Care and Repair by Alys Fowler, Kyle Books

The Cut Flower Sourcebook: Exceptional Perennials and Woody Plants for Cutting by Rachel Siegfried, Filbert Press

Brilliant English Gardens by Clive Nichols and Clare Foster, Clearview

Grasses for Gardens and Landscapes by Neil Lucas, Timber Press

The 30-Minute Gardener: Cultivate Beauty and Joy by Gardening Every day by Greg Loades, Timber Press

May 2023

Leaves, Roots and Fruit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting an Organic Kitchen Garden by Nicole Johnsey Burke, Hay House, Inc.

Garden Style: A Book of Ideas by Heidi Howcroft and Marianne Majerus, Rizzoli

What Gardeners Grow: 600 Plants Chosen by the World’s Greatest Plantspeople by Bloom and Melanie Gandyra, Frances Lincoln

The Little Guide to Wildflowers by Alison Davies and Tom Frost, Quadrille Publishers

Kew Gardener’s Guide to Growing Cacti and Succulents, by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Paul Rees, Frances Lincoln

Raised Bed Gardening: A Complete Beginner’s Guide by Tara Nolan, New Shoe Press

Piet Oudolf at Work by Cassian Schmidt, Noel Kingsbury and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Phaidon Press

Rebel Gardening: A Beginner’s Handbook to Organic Urban Garden by Alessandro Vitale, Watkins Publishing

Not Another Jungle: Comprehensive Care for Extraordinary Houseplants by Tony Le-Britton, DK

Make Your Own Terrarium Kit: Mini Gardens You Can Create at Home by Editors of Chartwell Books, Chartwell Books

Wildscape: Trilling Chipmunks, Beckoning Blooms, Salty Butterflies, and other Sensory Wonders of Nature by Nancy Lawson, Princeton Architectural Press

Rare Trees by Sara Oldfield and Malin Rivers, Timber Press

April 2023

Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman, Timber Press

The Color of Roses: A Curated Spectrum of 300 Blooms by Danielle Dall’Armi Hahn, Ten Speed Press

The House of Flowers: 25 Floristry Projects to Bring the Magic of Flowers into your Home by Ashlee Jane, Mobius

The Magic of Seeds: The Nature-lover’s Guide to Growing Garden Flowers and Herbs from Seed by Clare Gogerty, David & Charles

French Blooms: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Paris and Beyond by Sandra Sigman of Les Fleurs, Rizzoli

Seeds and Cuttings: A Guide to Germinating, Propagating, and Multiplying 60 Kinds of Plants by Olivia Brun and Tiphaine Germain-Lacour, Gingko Press

The Story of Flowers and How They Changed the Way We Live by Noel Kingsbury, Laurence King Publishing

The Gardener’s Almanac by Alan Titchmarsh, Hodder and Stoughton

A Garden’s Purpose: Cultivating Our Connection with the Natural World By Felix de Rosen Princeton Architectural Press

Living Wild by Hilton Carter, CICO books

March 2023

The Plant Lover’s Backyard Forest Garden by Pippa Chapman, Chelsea Green Publishing

Leaves, Roots & Fruit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting an Organic Kitchen Garden by Nicole Johnsey Burke, Hay House, Inc.

Living Wild: How to Plant Style Your Home and Cultivate Happiness by Hilton Carter, CICO Books

Flowers for All: Modern Floral Arrangements for Beauty, Joy, Mindfulness Every Day by Susan McLeary, Chronicle Books

Flower Philosophy: Seasonal Projects to Inspire and Restore by Anna Potter and India Hobson, White Lion Publishing

The Land Gardeners: Cut Flowers by Bridget Elworthy, Henrietta Courtauld, and Miranda Brooks, Thames & Hudson Publishers

Gardening for Mind, Body and Soul: How to Nurture Your Well-Being with Nature by Annie Burdick, Summersdale

My Tiny Kitchen Garden by Felicity Hart, Summersdale

Groundcover Revolution: How to Use Sustainable, Low Maintenance, Low Water Groundcovers to Replace Your Turf by Kathy Jentz, Cool Springs Press

The Gardener’s Almanac by Alan Titchmarsh, Hodder & Stoughton

At Home with Nature: A Guide to Sustainable, Natural Landscaping by John Gidding, Countryman Press

Rekha’s Kitchen Garden: Seasonal Produce and Homegrown Wisdom from a Year in One Gardener’s Plot by Rekha Mistry, DK Publishers

How to Grow the Flowers: A Sustainable Approach to Enjoying Flowers Through the Seasons, by Camila Romain and Marianne Mogendorff, Pavilion Books

The Language of Flowers by Sarah Cray, Gibbs Smith

To Stand and Stare: How to Garden While Doing Next to Nothing by Andrew Timothy O’Brien, DK Publishers

February 2023

Encyclopedia of Gardening, Fifth Edition by DK, DK Publishers

Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: A Guide to Planning the Ultimate Shade Garden by Lee Miller, Independently Published

The Climate Change Garden: Down to Earth Advice for Growing a Resilient Garden by Sally Morgan and Kim Stoddard, Quarto Books

Flower Porn by Kaiva Kaimins, Penguin Random House

100 Plants to Feed the Birds by Laura Erickson, Storey Publishing 

January 2023

Flower Arranging for Beginners: Learn How to Create Stunning Arrangements by Amy Barene, Rockridge Press

A Gardener’s Guide to Botany: The Biology Behind the Plants You Love, How They Grow and What They Need by Scott Zona, Cool Springs Press

Field Guide to Outside Style: Design and Plant Your Perfect Outdoor Space by Ryan McEnaney, Cool Springs Press

RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening, New edition, by DK (Dorling Kindersley), 5th edition.

The Potager Gardener: Plating Your Table with Ingredients You Grow by Katie Namet, Mountain Page Press

Cut Flowers, Foliage and Fruits of the Southeast: Four Seasons of Floral Design by Lee Hemmings Carlton, Globe Pequot

From Scalpel to Spade: A Surgeon’s Road to Ithaka by Arthur van Langenberg, Aurum Publisher

Orchid Muse: A History of Obsession in Fifteen Flowers by Erica Hannickel, W.W. Norton & Company

Ranch Dressing: And a Few Words of Wisdom from the Sage by Brian M. Biggs, Hellgate Press