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Sports, Games & Hobbies » Gardening

Most Recommended Books

The Well-Tempered Garden by Christopher Lloyd

“I was just glancing at this book again this afternoon, and what I like about it is that it is full of information and no waffle. I know for a fact that he used to be holding the thing that he was describing in his hands. It could be a flower, leaf or fruit, and he would be describing it just as he saw it, rather than looking it up anywhere else.”

Helen Dillon, Gardeners & Gardening Expert

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The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs by Hilllier Nurseries

“I find it very useful from a technical point of view. It tells you quite a lot about the trees and shrubs. First of all it gives you a brief idea of botany, so you know what a pennate leaf is or something like that. It also teaches you where it comes from and who found it.”

Arabella Lennox-Boyd, Gardeners & Gardening Expert

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The Education of a Gardener by Russell Page

“This was definitely one of the books that taught me a lot – not only about the relationship of designer with client, but also about the dos and don’ts of garden design. I only really knew him vaguely because he was very, very grand when I first started. He was a kind of guru and one hardly dared speak to him. But I could see that he had a mystical side to him and a real sense of landscape. He had a terrific imagination and did things that we all do now, in terms of design and features. A lot of what he did has been adopted by landscape architects. He had a great sense of design, and he was very inspirational in the way that he treated design. He saw it in a different dimension. He understood more about design than meets the eye, and that is why for me he was mystical. He had a real sense for the place where he was working.”

Arabella Lennox-Boyd, Gardeners & Gardening Expert

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Thoughtful Gardening by Robin Lane Fox

“I think it is a brilliant book. The most complimentary thing I could say about any gardener is that they thought of what they were saying themselves. The way of lecturing that used to be for gardening talks was very stuffy, a bit like a university lecturer would be. I am talking about the older generation in their 80s and 90s.”

Helen Dillon, Gardeners & Gardening Expert

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Browse book recommendations:

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The best gardening books, recommended by some of the world's leading gardening experts. In Five Books' time-honoured tradition, each of our experts has selected their five leading books on the subject of gardens, horticulture or plants. They also explain, in the accompanying interview, why those books are particularly important to them or significant.

Whether you're just starting out with your garden and looking for general inspiration or need specific advice on how to grow things, you should be able to find some of the best gardening books ever written.

We hope you will find the selections informative, educational and inspiring.

    Monty Don recommends His Favourite Gardening Books

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    Monty Don recommends His Favourite Gardening Books - Derek Jarman's Garden by Derek Jarman

    1

    Derek Jarman's Garden
    by Derek Jarman

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    Monty Don recommends His Favourite Gardening Books - The Vegetable Garden Displayed by Royal Horticultural Society

    2

    The Vegetable Garden Displayed
    by Royal Horticultural Society

  • Read
    Monty Don recommends His Favourite Gardening Books - Green Thoughts by Eleanor Perenyi

    3

    Green Thoughts
    by Eleanor Perenyi

  • Read
    Monty Don recommends His Favourite Gardening Books - Classic Roses by Peter Beales

    4

    Classic Roses
    by Peter Beales

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    Monty Don recommends His Favourite Gardening Books - Essay on Gardening by Henk Gerritsen

    5

    Essay on Gardening
    by Henk Gerritsen

  • Monty Don recommends His Favourite Gardening Books - Derek Jarman's Garden by Derek Jarman
  • Monty Don recommends His Favourite Gardening Books - The Vegetable Garden Displayed by Royal Horticultural Society
  • Monty Don recommends His Favourite Gardening Books - Green Thoughts by Eleanor Perenyi
  • Monty Don recommends His Favourite Gardening Books - Classic Roses by Peter Beales
  • Monty Don recommends His Favourite Gardening Books - Essay on Gardening by Henk Gerritsen

Monty Don recommends His Favourite Gardening Books

Monty Don OBE, Britain’s most loved gardener and lead presenter of Gardeners World, discusses his favourite books on gardening including one he describes as “the best gardening book ever written.” This is a  strong endorsement, given that his own gardening library extends to over three thousand books.

Monty Don recommends His Favourite Gardening Books

    The best books on Garden Design, recommended by Arabella Lennox-Boyd

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    The best books on Garden Design - The Education of a Gardener by Russell Page

    1

    The Education of a Gardener
    by Russell Page

  • Read
    The best books on Garden Design - New Trees by John Grimshaw and Ross Bayton

    2

    New Trees
    by John Grimshaw and Ross Bayton

  • Read
    The best books on Garden Design - In Your Garden by Vita Sackville-West

    3

    In Your Garden
    by Vita Sackville-West

  • Read
    The best books on Garden Design - The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs by Hilllier Nurseries

    4

    The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs
    by Hilllier Nurseries

  • Read
    The best books on Garden Design - Gardens from the Air by Franco Migliorini and Luigi Latini

    5

    Gardens from the Air
    by Franco Migliorini and Luigi Latini

  • The best books on Garden Design - The Education of a Gardener by Russell Page
  • The best books on Garden Design - New Trees by John Grimshaw and Ross Bayton
  • The best books on Garden Design - In Your Garden by Vita Sackville-West
  • The best books on Garden Design - The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs by Hilllier Nurseries
  • The best books on Garden Design - Gardens from the Air by Franco Migliorini and Luigi Latini

The best books on Garden Design, recommended by Arabella Lennox-Boyd

Trees are the backbone of any garden, says award-winning garden designer, Arabella Lennox-Boyd. She recommends some great books to get you thinking about garden design.

The best books on Garden Design, recommended by Arabella Lennox-Boyd

    The best books on Gardening, recommended by Helen Dillon

  • Read
    The best books on Gardening - Thoughtful Gardening by Robin Lane Fox

    1

    Thoughtful Gardening
    by Robin Lane Fox

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    The best books on Gardening - The Well-Tempered Garden by Christopher Lloyd

    2

    The Well-Tempered Garden
    by Christopher Lloyd

  • Read
    The best books on Gardening - On the Making of Gardens by Sir George Sitwell

    3

    On the Making of Gardens
    by Sir George Sitwell

  • Read
    The best books on Gardening - Forgotten Fruits by Christopher Stocks

    4

    Forgotten Fruits
    by Christopher Stocks

  • Read
    The best books on Gardening - The Compleat Florist by Sieur Louis Liger (translator)

    5

    The Compleat Florist
    by Sieur Louis Liger (translator)

  • The best books on Gardening - Thoughtful Gardening by Robin Lane Fox
  • The best books on Gardening - The Well-Tempered Garden by Christopher Lloyd
  • The best books on Gardening - On the Making of Gardens by Sir George Sitwell
  • The best books on Gardening - Forgotten Fruits by Christopher Stocks
  • The best books on Gardening - The Compleat Florist by Sieur Louis Liger (translator)

The best books on Gardening, recommended by Helen Dillon

Gardening expert Helen Dillon recommends five books that have influenced her, from 300-year old gardening tips to the difficulty of describing flowers

The best books on Gardening, recommended by Helen Dillon

    The best books on Gardening, recommended by Gregory Long

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    The best books on Gardening - Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael A Dirr

    1

    Manual of Woody Landscape Plants
    by Michael A Dirr

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    The best books on Gardening - Thoughtful Gardening by Robin Lane Fox

    2

    Thoughtful Gardening
    by Robin Lane Fox

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    The best books on Gardening - Climate Change and Biodiversity by Thomas E Lovejoy and Lee Hannah

    3

    Climate Change and Biodiversity
    by Thomas E Lovejoy and Lee Hannah

  • Read
    The best books on Gardening - Keywords in American Landscape Design by Therese O’Malley

    4

    Keywords in American Landscape Design
    by Therese O’Malley

  • Read
    The best books on Gardening - Random House Book of Perennials by Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix

    5

    Random House Book of Perennials
    by Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix

  • The best books on Gardening - Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael A Dirr
  • The best books on Gardening - Thoughtful Gardening by Robin Lane Fox
  • The best books on Gardening - Climate Change and Biodiversity by Thomas E Lovejoy and Lee Hannah
  • The best books on Gardening - Keywords in American Landscape Design by Therese O’Malley
  • The best books on Gardening - Random House Book of Perennials by Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix

The best books on Gardening, recommended by Gregory Long

The President Emeritus of The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, New York tells us about the books that all aspiring gardeners should have on their bookshelves, from reference works to the most fun guide to making the best of your garden

The best books on Gardening, recommended by Gregory Long

    The best books on Garden Photography, recommended by Andrew Lawson

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    The best books on Garden Photography - The English Garden (World of Art) by Edward Hyams and Edwin Smith

    1

    The English Garden (World of Art)
    by Edward Hyams and Edwin Smith

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    The best books on Garden Photography - A Gardener's Labyrinth by Tessa Traeger and Patrick Kinmonth

    2

    A Gardener's Labyrinth
    by Tessa Traeger and Patrick Kinmonth

  • Read
    The best books on Garden Photography - Karl Blossfeldt (TASCHEN Icons Series) by Hans Christian Adam

    3

    Karl Blossfeldt (TASCHEN Icons Series)
    by Hans Christian Adam

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    The best books on Garden Photography - Gardens in Perspective by Jerry Harpur

    4

    Gardens in Perspective
    by Jerry Harpur

  • Read
    The best books on Garden Photography - Garden Photographer of the Year, Collection 1-3

    5

    Garden Photographer of the Year, Collection 1-3

  • The best books on Garden Photography - The English Garden (World of Art) by Edward Hyams and Edwin Smith
  • The best books on Garden Photography - A Gardener's Labyrinth by Tessa Traeger and Patrick Kinmonth
  • The best books on Garden Photography - Karl Blossfeldt (TASCHEN Icons Series) by Hans Christian Adam
  • The best books on Garden Photography - Gardens in Perspective by Jerry Harpur
  • The best books on Garden Photography - Garden Photographer of the Year, Collection 1-3

The best books on Garden Photography, recommended by Andrew Lawson

One of the world’s leading garden photographers talks us through the many different styles employed in his field

The best books on Garden Photography, recommended by Andrew Lawson

    The best books on Horticulture, recommended by Andrea Wulf

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    The best books on Horticulture - Landscape & Memory by Simon Schama

    1

    Landscape & Memory
    by Simon Schama

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    The best books on Horticulture - The Arcadian Friends by Tim Richardson

    2

    The Arcadian Friends
    by Tim Richardson

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    The best books on Horticulture - Founding Brothers by Joseph J Ellis

    3

    Founding Brothers
    by Joseph J Ellis

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    The best books on Horticulture - Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson

    4

    Notes on the State of Virginia
    by Thomas Jefferson

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    The best books on Horticulture - A Little History of British Gardening by Jenny Uglow

    5

    A Little History of British Gardening
    by Jenny Uglow

  • The best books on Horticulture - Landscape & Memory by Simon Schama
  • The best books on Horticulture - The Arcadian Friends by Tim Richardson
  • The best books on Horticulture - Founding Brothers by Joseph J Ellis
  • The best books on Horticulture - Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson
  • The best books on Horticulture - A Little History of British Gardening by Jenny Uglow

The best books on Horticulture, recommended by Andrea Wulf

The respected horticulturalist says if you plant an oak tree you know you’re never going to see it grow into maturity, but in planting it you are asserting your belief in the future and in future generations.

The best books on Horticulture, recommended by Andrea Wulf

    The best books on Plants, recommended by Jonathan Silvertown

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    The best books on Plants - The Emerald Planet by D J Beerling

    1

    The Emerald Planet
    by D J Beerling

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    The best books on Plants - Eating the Sun by Oliver Morton

    2

    Eating the Sun
    by Oliver Morton

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    The best books on Plants - The Secret Life of Trees by Colin Tudge

    3

    The Secret Life of Trees
    by Colin Tudge

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    The best books on Plants - Plant by Janet Marinelli

    4

    Plant
    by Janet Marinelli

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    The best books on Plants - Feeding the Ten Billion by L T Evans

    5

    Feeding the Ten Billion
    by L T Evans

  • The best books on Plants - The Emerald Planet by D J Beerling
  • The best books on Plants - Eating the Sun by Oliver Morton
  • The best books on Plants - The Secret Life of Trees by Colin Tudge
  • The best books on Plants - Plant by Janet Marinelli
  • The best books on Plants - Feeding the Ten Billion by L T Evans

The best books on Plants, recommended by Jonathan Silvertown

Internationally known ecologist says plants are grievously overlooked, because no life on earth would exist without them – essential reading on plants

The best books on Plants, recommended by Jonathan Silvertown

    The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting, recommended by Kenneth Cox

  • Read
    The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting - The Well-Tempered Garden by Christopher Lloyd

    1

    The Well-Tempered Garden
    by Christopher Lloyd

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    The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting - Riddle of the Tsangpo Gorges by Frank Kingdon Ward

    2

    Riddle of the Tsangpo Gorges
    by Frank Kingdon Ward

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    The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting - The Morville Hours by Katherine Swift

    3

    The Morville Hours
    by Katherine Swift

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    The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting - The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan

    4

    The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World
    by Michael Pollan

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    The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting - A Rage for Rock Gardening by Nicola Shulman

    5

    A Rage for Rock Gardening
    by Nicola Shulman

  • The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting - The Well-Tempered Garden by Christopher Lloyd
  • The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting - Riddle of the Tsangpo Gorges by Frank Kingdon Ward
  • The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting - The Morville Hours by Katherine Swift
  • The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting - The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan
  • The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting - A Rage for Rock Gardening by Nicola Shulman

The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting, recommended by Kenneth Cox

The author, plantsman and rhododendron expert selects his favourite books on botanical exploration and explains his passion for plant hunting

The best books on Plants and Plant Hunting, recommended by Kenneth Cox

    The best books on Horticultural Inspiration, recommended by Penelope Hobhouse

  • Read
    The best books on Horticultural Inspiration - The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs by Hilllier Nurseries

    1

    The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs
    by Hilllier Nurseries

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    The best books on Horticultural Inspiration - The Education of a Gardener by Russell Page

    2

    The Education of a Gardener
    by Russell Page

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    The best books on Horticultural Inspiration - Garden Design by Sylvia Crowe

    3

    Garden Design
    by Sylvia Crowe

  • Read
    The best books on Horticultural Inspiration - The Well-Tempered Garden by Christopher Lloyd

    4

    The Well-Tempered Garden
    by Christopher Lloyd

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    The best books on Horticultural Inspiration - Baburnama by Wheeler M Thackston (translator) & Zahir al-Din Babur

    5

    Baburnama
    by Wheeler M Thackston (translator) & Zahir al-Din Babur

  • The best books on Horticultural Inspiration - The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs by Hilllier Nurseries
  • The best books on Horticultural Inspiration - The Education of a Gardener by Russell Page
  • The best books on Horticultural Inspiration - Garden Design by Sylvia Crowe
  • The best books on Horticultural Inspiration - The Well-Tempered Garden by Christopher Lloyd
  • The best books on Horticultural Inspiration - Baburnama by Wheeler M Thackston (translator) & Zahir al-Din Babur

The best books on Horticultural Inspiration, recommended by Penelope Hobhouse

Historian of garden design Penelope Hobhouse says creating a garden is not about pulling out weeds – it’s about fulfilling man’s need for organisation and security

The best books on Horticultural Inspiration, recommended by Penelope Hobhouse

    The best books on Guerrilla Gardening, recommended by Richard Reynolds

  • Read
    The best books on Guerrilla Gardening - The Digger Movement In The Days Of The Commonwealth, As Revealed In The Writings Of Gerrard Winstanley by Lewis H Beren

    1

    The Digger Movement In The Days Of The Commonwealth, As Revealed In The Writings Of Gerrard Winstanley
    by Lewis H Beren

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    The best books on Guerrilla Gardening - Hungry City by Carolyn Steel

    2

    Hungry City
    by Carolyn Steel

  • Read
    The best books on Guerrilla Gardening - Defiant Gardens by Kenneth I Helphand

    3

    Defiant Gardens
    by Kenneth I Helphand

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    The best books on Guerrilla Gardening - The Search by John Battelle

    4

    The Search
    by John Battelle

  • Read
    The best books on Guerrilla Gardening - Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

    5

    Miss Rumphius
    by Barbara Cooney

  • The best books on Guerrilla Gardening - The Digger Movement In The Days Of The Commonwealth, As Revealed In The Writings Of Gerrard Winstanley by Lewis H Beren
  • The best books on Guerrilla Gardening - Hungry City by Carolyn Steel
  • The best books on Guerrilla Gardening - Defiant Gardens by Kenneth I Helphand
  • The best books on Guerrilla Gardening - The Search by John Battelle
  • The best books on Guerrilla Gardening - Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

The best books on Guerrilla Gardening, recommended by Richard Reynolds

Discussion of the lesser-known subject of guerilla gardening – the illicit cultivation of someone else’s land. A fascinating and historical topic, and eclectic book selections include a history of Google

The best books on Guerrilla Gardening, recommended by Richard Reynolds

About

We ask experts to recommend the five best books in their subject and explain their selection in an interview.

This site has an archive of more than one thousand seven hundred interviews, or eight thousand book recommendations. We publish at least two new interviews per week.

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