Are you searching for a holiday gift for a bookish garden friend? There are so many fabulous new books to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start.
Every year, the American Horticultural Society names its list of best new garden-related books published in North America. Because books are chosen for their overall quality — including writing style, authority, accuracy and physical quality — the awards are given jointly to authors and publishers.
If you’re at a loss, or strapped for time, here’s the AHS’s list of surefire good reads:
“The Bee-Friendly Garden” by Kate Frey and Gretchen LeBuhn (Ten Speed Press)
Over the past year, I’ve written frequently about the importance of supporting the endangered pollinator population, including honeybees and our native bees. Here’s a book that provides lots of practical information for any gardener who wants to create a bee-friendly garden. Whether you are living in the country, suburbs or city, whether your garden is small or large, the book offers a wide range of plant recommendations by region, making it a useful resource for your gardening friends, no matter where they live.
With in-depth discussions and artful layout and photography, it’s a welcome addition to the ecologically minded gardener’s bookshelf.
Illustrated with spectacular full-color photos, “The Bee-Friendly Garden” debunks myths about bees, explains seasonal flower progression, and provides detailed instructions for nest boxes and water features.
From “super blooming” flowers to regional plant lists and plants to avoid, “The Bee-Friendly Garden” is an essential tool for every gardener who cares about the planet and wants to make the yard a welcoming habitat for nature’s most productive pollinator.
“Garden Revolution” by Larry Weaner and Thomas Christopher (Timber Press)
Speaking of ecologically minded gardening, this book shows how that approach to planting can lead to beautiful gardens without lots of back-breaking, time-consuming and environmentally wasteful work. To eliminate constant tilling, weeding, watering and fertilizing, the book instructs gardeners on choosing plants that are adapted to the soil and climate of a specific site and letting them naturally evolve over time. One AHS reviewer said: “This book has it all: inspirational personal anecdotes and photographs, a deep understanding of horticulture, a fresh take on how to garden ecologically and beautifully.” Another praised the book for “explaining complex ecological concepts in an easy-to-understand, encouraging way that is applicable to home gardens.”
“Rock Gardening” by Joseph Tychonievich (Timber Press)
For garden enthusiasts who are increasingly interested in diminutive gardens, this book is right on the mark. Its spectacular photography, colorful writing and detailed plant information bring rock gardening to life. One AHS reviewer said: “The author takes readers through some of the most amazing gardens around the world and shares his own epiphanies from each.” Another commented: “Tychonievich’s enthusiasm shines throughout the book, and readers just can’t help but fall in love — or in love again — with this style of gardening.”
“PLANT,” by the editors at Phaidon Press (Phaidon Press)
Featuring 300 beautiful and pioneering botanical images, this is the perfect gift for gardeners and art lovers. It combines photographs and high-tech micrograph scans with watercolors, drawings and prints that celebrate the extraordinary beauty and diversity of plants.
The images were chosen by an international panel of experts and arranged to highlight interesting contrasts and similarities. “Not only is this book a stunning visual feast,” said an AHS reviewer, “but it also brims with fascinating details about the botanical art which graces its pages.”
“All the Presidents’ Gardens” by Marta McDowell (Timber Press)
With all the crazy hoopla coming out of the White House these days (did you happen to see Ivanka Trump’s Thanksgiving table decorations?), this book is a welcome reminder that the White House grounds have long been home to stately yet fashionable gardens. McDowell’s book is well -researched and beautifully illustrated. In the words of one AHS reviewer: “This sort of storytelling and history of one place, one relatively small garden, helps us understand how much gardens do — and should — change with every generation, every family, every new desire of what we need and want from our outside spaces.”
Another idea for holiday giving, for a more modest price and on a local level: The 2018 Mount Tom Nashawannuck Pond calendar is available for sale at Nash Gallery, 40 Cottage St., Easthampton for $15.
It features 12 lovely photographs of Mount Tom and the pond throughout the seasons. All sales proceeds go to benefit the PCT.
Marlies Stoddard of the Nash Gallery sells the calendar without taking a commission as her way of supporting the PCT. It’s a wonderful way to support the PCT’s terrific work preserving rural land.
Last week I wrote about the worrisome creep of Nature Deficit Disorder. There are many ways to fight it.
The Hitchcock Center has opened registration for its winter nature programs, including after-school sessions, preschooler and homeschooler days, winter nature camp as well as the popular Girls Into the Wild and Second Saturday Family Science series.
For more information and to register, go to: hitchcockcenter.org
The Amherst and Northampton winter farmers’ markets are up and running in new locations.
The Northampton market has moved from Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School to the Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St. There are baked goodies from Bread Euphoria, cheese produced by Cricket Creek Farm, fruits and vegetables from Old Friends Farm and Mycoterra Farm, to mention just a few of the many vendors who will be on hand. The market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Amherst Market has moved from the Amherst Pelham Regional Middle School to the Hampshire Mall in Hadley, just inside the Target mall entrance. It features popular vendors including Red Fire Farm, Berkshire Mountain Bakery, Grace Hill Creamery, Apex Orchards, Austin Brothers, Smokey Divas and Wingate Farm. Think: yummy tummy stuffers and stocking stuffers. The Amherst market is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Plainfield Agricultural Commission is hosting a showing of the film “Hometown Habitat” Friday at 7 p.m. at the Plainfield Town Hall.
The film documents the success stories of several communities in promoting a healthy environment through careful landscaping and other practices. There will be a panel discussion following the screening. Free and open to the public.
Mickey Rathbun can be reached at foxglover8@gmail.com.