4 Books to Gift the Gardener in Your Life

May 13, 2016

Christopher Lombardo,

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Photograph Courtesy of Yale University Press
Perhaps the truest botanist’s companion on this list, Thoreau’s Wildflowers (Yale University Press, 2016) is Henry David Thoreau’s intimate catalog of the flora around Concord, Massachusetts. Arranged by date and year, and littered with Thoreau’s own philosophical speculations, observations and theories, the acclaimed transcendentalist’s writings are accompanied by more than 200 black-and-white drawings by Barry Moser, originally published in the artist’s first illustrated book, Flowering Plants of Massachusetts. Together, the botanical sketches and journal entries prove to be a comprehensive guide and spiritual escape into the lush greenery of Thoreau’s Concord. $30, Yale Bookstore, New Haven.

Photograph Courtesy of Yale University Press
Perhaps the truest botanist’s companion on this list, Thoreau’s Wildflowers (Yale University Press, 2016) is Henry David Thoreau’s intimate catalog of the flora around Concord, Massachusetts. Arranged by date and year, and littered with Thoreau’s own philosophical speculations, observations and theories, the acclaimed transcendentalist’s writings are accompanied by more than 200 black-and-white drawings by Barry Moser, originally published in the artist’s first illustrated book, Flowering Plants of Massachusetts. Together, the botanical sketches and journal entries prove to be a comprehensive guide and spiritual escape into the lush greenery of Thoreau’s Concord. $30, Yale Bookstore, New Haven.

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Photograph by Curtice Taylor, Courtesy of The Monacelli Press
Thirty U.S. gardens are featured in Rescuing Eden: Preserving America’s Historic Gardens (Monacelli Press, 2015), and they have all been literally rescued. Written and carefully researched by Caroline Seebohm, and adorned with luscious photography by Curtice Taylor, Rescuing Eden catalogs these nearly lost havens, from the wonderful to the dejected. Thus, the tome leaves a somewhat bittersweet taste in the reader’s mouth: How many gardens were not saved? How many will be left 50 years from now? And—perhaps, most importantly—what can we do to keep these spectacles from disappearing altogether? $50, Elm Street Books, New Canaan.

Photograph by Curtice Taylor, Courtesy of The Monacelli Press
Thirty U.S. gardens are featured in Rescuing Eden: Preserving America’s Historic Gardens (Monacelli Press, 2015), and they have all been literally rescued. Written and carefully researched by Caroline Seebohm, and adorned with luscious photography by Curtice Taylor, Rescuing Eden catalogs these nearly lost havens, from the wonderful to the dejected. Thus, the tome leaves a somewhat bittersweet taste in the reader’s mouth: How many gardens were not saved? How many will be left 50 years from now? And—perhaps, most importantly—what can we do to keep these spectacles from disappearing altogether? $50, Elm Street Books, New Canaan.

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Photograph by Larry Lederman
In celebration of the New York Botanical Garden’s 125th anniversary, Abrams has released a new edition of The New York Botanical Garden (Abrams, 2016) by Gregory Long and Todd A. Forrest. The revised and updated collection is brimming with more than 200 new photographs from lauded photographer Larry Lederman, capturing the urban sanctuary cherished by residents and visitors alike in spectacular fashion. Essays by garden staff, reproductions of rare botanical art and insight into the role the institution plays in the realm of biodiversity populate the pages, making this an essential addition to any garden-lover’s library. $55, Books on the Common, Ridgefield.

Photograph by Larry Lederman
In celebration of the New York Botanical Garden’s 125th anniversary, Abrams has released a new edition of The New York Botanical Garden (Abrams, 2016) by Gregory Long and Todd A. Forrest. The revised and updated collection is brimming with more than 200 new photographs from lauded photographer Larry Lederman, capturing the urban sanctuary cherished by residents and visitors alike in spectacular fashion. Essays by garden staff, reproductions of rare botanical art and insight into the role the institution plays in the realm of biodiversity populate the pages, making this an essential addition to any garden-lover’s library. $55, Books on the Common, Ridgefield.

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photograph by © 2016 Clive Nichols
Roman philosopher Cicero said: “If you have a garden and a library, then you have everything you need.” This quote greets readers on the back cover of Paradise Found: Gardens of Enchantment (teNeues, 2016), with photography by Clive Nichols, and seems to be the backbone of the book. Passages from garden stories, poems and quotes are sprinkled through the spreads of landscape gardens, rose gardens and nature gardens. Yet, the book’s highlight is Nichols’ photography, which captures European oases in their entire splendor, taking the reader on a dreamlike journey across verdant space. $55, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison.

photograph by © 2016 Clive Nichols
Roman philosopher Cicero said: “If you have a garden and a library, then you have everything you need.” This quote greets readers on the back cover of Paradise Found: Gardens of Enchantment (teNeues, 2016), with photography by Clive Nichols, and seems to be the backbone of the book. Passages from garden stories, poems and quotes are sprinkled through the spreads of landscape gardens, rose gardens and nature gardens. Yet, the book’s highlight is Nichols’ photography, which captures European oases in their entire splendor, taking the reader on a dreamlike journey across verdant space. $55, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison.

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