The Ultimate Flower-Powered Book List
As a brand built on flowers, we’re bloom-obsessed nearly 365 days of the year. But come spring and summer, our gardens beckon from outside with an even stronger pull: From windowsill flower patches to dreamy landscaped terraces, all we can think about is what to plant, when we can next get our hands into the soil again, and how marvelous all the fruits of our labor look when clipped and arranged in our favorite vessels.
If you, like us, share a passion for all things gardening and flower-related (or even if you’re just an armchair gardner without a green thumb) we’ve compiled this go-to list of books to pile up and pore over—even if you’re never going to put as much as a seed in the ground.
WINDCLIFF,
Daniel J Hinkley
A gorgeous tale of the evolution of plant collector Daniel Hinkley’s Washington State garden, from creation to its current-day glory. Part inspiration, part botanical reference, it’s a beautiful, literary take on gardening and all that it means.
SPIRIT OF PLACE,
Bill Noble
Vermont’s limited growing season doesn’t deter gardener Bill Noble at his lush perennial, vegetable and herb gardens, which are some of New England’s most beautiful. This book offers practical knowledge and lofty aspirations to those planning or simply dreaming of a garden of their own.
LIFE IN THE STUDIO,
Frances Palmer
Yes, Frances Palmer is a ceramic artist, but she’s also an avid gardener and flower lover. Her first book contains countless gorgeous photos (which she shoots herself) of her pottery creations as vessels for vivid floral arrangements, along with advice for cultivating bulbs (dahlias are her favorite).
FIELD, FLOWER, VASE,
Chelsea Fuss
Inspired by her popular flower-arranging courses, Chelsea Fuss’s practical—but beyond beautiful—guide to at-home floral fixing contains guidance on foraging, no matter your locale, and also features eco-friendly methods of arranging that don’t require floral foam or wire. The sketchbook section is a particularly artful add-on that offers another outlet for flower lovers to express themselves.
IN THE GARDEN,
Emma Giuliani
Start a love for flowers and gardening early with this delightful illustrated journey through the seasons of life in a garden. Lift-the-flap accents reveal the secret lives of ladybugs, seeds and more, explaining the mystery of how things grow with color and charm.
FLORET FARM'S CUT FLOWER GARDEN,
Erin Benzakein With Julie Chai
Chock full of both swoon-worthy images and useful knowledge, this reference guide from flower farmer Erin Benzakein is a showcase for Floret Farm’s bountiful flora. Tricks like how to keep lilacs fresh after clipping, along with wisdom about working with local flowers, are both inspiring and practical.
THE COMPLETE GARDENER,
Monty Don
A fixture in the UK for over 25 years, Monty Don’s comprehensive all-in guide to gardening gets an update this year, much to the delight of his legions of devoted fans. Updates to this go-to reference include how to make your garden attractive to local wildlife and pollinators which gets an enthusiastic thumbs-up from us.
BOOK OF FLOWERS,
Pierre-Joseph Redouté
This lush tome features the works of Pierre-Joseph Redouté, called the greatest botanical illustrator of all time. A whopping 600+ pages of meticulously crafted diagrammed plants and flowers, it’s as much a reference library as a coffee table objet d’art.
