Best Ornamental Plant Gardening Books of 2025

Paint by Sticker: Plants and Flowers is a delightful paper craft book by Workman Publishing. It offers an innovative way to create beautiful images of plants and flowers using stickers. The book contains everything you need to create 12 stunning paintings, including a saguaro cactus, a hanging basket of pansies, and an iconic monstera houseplant. Each page also includes growing information and other fun facts about the plant. The card-stock pages are perforated, making it easy to remove and frame your finished artwork. This book is an ideal choice for crafters and plant lovers looking for a unique and relaxing activity.

The Old Farmer's Almanac Flower Gardener's Handbook is a must-have for anyone who wants to create a stunning flower garden all year round. With over 30 different flowers to choose from, this book provides expert guidance and inspirational ideas to help gardeners of all experience levels achieve success. The book features beautiful photos and essential information on planting, care, disease and pest problems, cut-flower harvesting, and recommended varieties. Additionally, the book offers chapters on summer-flowering shrubs, tiny bulbs, flowers for constant color throughout the season, and more. This book is highly recommended for anyone looking to create a beautiful and thriving flower garden.

The Northeast Native Plant Primer is a must-have handbook for gardeners in the Northeast region of the United States. Native plant expert Uli Lorimer of the Native Plant Trust provides invaluable advice on how to create a beautiful and earth-friendly garden with 235 recommended native trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, wildflowers, grasses, sedges, and annuals. Lorimer's tireless advocacy for native plants and the Trust's renowned reputation make this book an essential resource for any gardener looking to make a real difference. The Portland Press Herald calls it "helpful" and "beneficial," while Cultivating Place says it's "a great resource no matter where you garden."

The Cut Flower Sourcebook is a must-have for anyone interested in growing flowers for cutting. Author Rachel Siegfried shares her selection of 130 rigorously trialed perennials and woody plants that offer valuable habitats to garden wildlife and bring a more natural quality to arrangements. Her exquisite arrangements capture the essence of each plant, making the most of characterful twists and tendrils. The book's beautiful photographs capture the seasonal diversity and natural ease that are a hallmark of Rachel's work. Overall, this book is a great resource for gardeners who want to create a cutting garden that can be picked from every week of the year.

Essential Succulents: The Beginner's Guide is a comprehensive book for those who are new to succulent gardening. The book covers everything from growing succulents indoors to creating beautiful outdoor gardens. It includes a list of 50 easy-to-grow succulents, care guides, and tips for arranging them. The book also features eight DIY projects with step-by-step instructions. The author, Ken Shelf, is an expert in succulent gardening and provides valuable insights and tips. The book is beautifully illustrated with stunning photography of succulents and projects. Overall, this is an excellent book for anyone interested in starting their succulent-growing journey.

Dry Climate Gardening by Noelle Johnson, also known as AZ Plant Lady, is an informative guide on how to create a beautiful and sustainable garden in low-water conditions. The book offers a plethora of information on suitable plants for xeric conditions, the best planting seasons, soil management, plant care techniques, and design tips to maximize impact while minimizing water usage. The book also includes sample garden designs and plant lists that readers can adapt to their own outdoor space. With water restrictions and drought conditions becoming increasingly common, Dry Climate Gardening is a must-read for gardeners looking to create an oasis in arid climates.

The Seed Saving Bible is a comprehensive guide to storing and keeping seeds of various vegetables, fruits, plants, and herbs fresh for the next three years. The book covers essential knowledge on seed saving, from propagation and fertilization to proper seed storage and germination testing. It also includes tips on choosing a location for your survival garden, indoor vs. outdoor planting, and more. This book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to start a garden or prepare for times of uncertainty. Overall, it is a valuable guide that provides all the materials needed to preserve must-have seeds for any situation in almost any location.

Tiny & Wild is a guide to creating a low-maintenance and no-mow miniature wildflower meadow that supports nature and biodiversity. Author Graham Laird Gardner offers practical advice on designing, planting, and caring for a small-scale meadow in various spaces, from a small corner of the yard to containers and raised beds. The book shares plant lists and charts to help readers choose the best plants for their micro prairie. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to embrace their wild side and make a positive impact on the planet.

Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is an inspiring guide for creating resilient landscapes that blend both wild and cultivated plant communities. The book offers a practical approach to designing visually harmonious and ecologically connected landscapes that thrive within our built world. With its optimistic call to action, this universal guide to sustainable landscaping is a real-world solution for property owners and designers alike. Overall, Planting in a Post-Wild World is a masterful accomplishment and a refreshing addition to the world of landscape and planting design literature.

50 Beautiful Deer-Resistant Plants is a practical and authoritative guide that offers a solution to a common garden problem. Author Ruth Rogers Clausen shares the best plant choices, including annuals and perennials, bulbs, grasses, shrubs, and herbs that deer simply don't eat. Her hand-picked varieties make it hard to fail at creating a cohesively designed deer-resistant garden that is a pleasure to spend time in. The book includes helpful growing and design tips, and the stunning photography makes it a visually appealing resource. This book is a must-have for gardeners in deer country who want to have a beautiful garden without fencing as their only solution.