Deborah Hopkinson

Arizona horticulturalist Noelle Johnson, sometimes known as the “AZ plant lady,” shares her expertise and longtime passion for gardening in a hot, dry climate in this informative guide to gardening in our changing climate. The Water-Smart Garden: Techniques and Strategies for Conserving, Capturing, and Efficiently Using Water in Today’s Climate . . . and Tomorrow’s, of course, is not simply for those living in or near the desert, but also has practical use for gardeners elsewhere. As Johnson notes at the outset, “shrinking water supplies also are occurring in more temperate regions.” 

Johnson’s clear, accessible text begins with some basic information about how plants use water. Throughout, she aims to assuage concerns that a waterwise garden only consists of rocks and cacti. She includes chapters on plant choices, building drought-resistant soil and watering efficiently—in other words, giving gardeners essential tools and techniques to plan, make changes and maintain a sustainable garden. Johnson’s chapter on capturing rainfall and passive water harvesting is especially useful, as precipitation patterns shift. Tips, graphics and photographs demonstrate how to maximize available water throughout the year. 

Not much of a gardener? The Water-Smart Garden will also be a great choice for those who don’t wish to spend much time or money on their yard and want to keep water bills low. Johnson’s book includes charts to help gardeners and homeowners choose the best trees, shrubs, vines and plants for their region. Simply put, if you’re a gardener concerned about the climate, this book is for you.

In the innovative Garden Wonderland: Creating Life-Changing Outdoor Spaces for Beauty, Harvest, Meaning, and Joy, garden designer Leslie Bennett teams up with writer and editor Julie Chai to explore how to create outdoor spaces that nurture family, friends and community. 

At the outset, the authors suggest that readers grab a blank notepad to jot down ideas and goals as they go along. And that’s wise advice, as this book is replete with helpful tips as well as the fundamentals. Part 1 focuses on the practical, which will be appreciated by those new to gardening or garden design. The authors share four principles that ground their approach to gardening: making plants part of your daily life; surrounding yourself with beauty; making space for connection; and fortifying your sense of belonging. Most importantly, they stress that rather than conforming to someone else’s idea of what a garden should be, individuals and families should create spaces that work for them. Bennett and Chai also discuss considerations such as space allotment, seating arrangements and sun exposure. There’s also helpful information on design concepts, with tips about selecting plants for foliage and color.

The second part of the book focuses on inspiration. This section features garden “wonderlands” that celebrate edible and floral landscapes, along with gardens designed to serve as gathering places or to spotlight cultural heritages. Full color photographs throughout show gardens, plants, and the individuals and families who treasure them. With its seamless integration of gardening principles with advanced design ideas, Garden Wonderland is the perfect gift for new gardeners—or anyone in need of a little inspiration.  

For anyone who’s ever perused a bulb catalog and been overwhelmed trying to choose among the many varieties of daffodils, tulips or amaryllises, this book by British garden designer and author Lucy Bellamy is for you. With bright, full-color photographs by Jason Ingram, A Year in Bloom: Flowering Bulbs for Every Season takes the guesswork out of selecting bulbs that will brighten your yard year-round. 

A Year in Bloom is clear and well-organized. Bellamy provides a helpful introduction, then introduces her featured 150 bulbs by season, beginning with late winter/early spring. Bellamy’s text and selections are especially helpful for gardeners seeking to adapt to climate change and focus on sustainability. For instance, she notes a new emphasis on bulbs that are perennial over single-use hybrids. The selections here also recognize the desire of many gardeners to support pollinators and encourage biodiversity. 

As a former editor of Gardens Illustrated magazine, Bellamy made her selections by calling on her network of international garden designers, landscape architects and head gardeners. These recommendations add depth and interest to the text. For instance, in recommending the snowdrop called “E.A. Bowles,” Bellamy consulted British nurseryman Joe Sharmon, known as “Mr. Snowdrop.” Bellamy includes a complete list of those who nominated their favorites in the back matter, along with an indexed list of bulbs by function, conveying which are best for shade, for planting in pots, naturalizing, for cut flowers, etc.

Planting bulbs usually means planning ahead. A Year in Bloom is a practical, beautiful handbook that will find a place in any gardener’s library.

Based in Melbourne, Australia, permaculture expert Connie Cao brings a joyful exuberance to her book about growing and enjoying Asian vegetables, herbs and fruits. Whether you’re an expert or new to Asian culinary traditions, Cao’s enthusiasm is contagious. Cao is the daughter of immigrants from Shanghai, who moved to Australia in 1988, and she grew up watching her dad tend his garden. Cao notes, “The thing that got me into gardening is the magic that happens from seed to food.” Your Asian Veggie Patch: A Guide to Growing and Cooking Delicious Asian Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits provides an excellent introduction for anyone wishing to experience that magic for themselves.

Cao’s well-organized, easy-to-follow book provides guidance on growing, harvesting and cooking Asian veggies. Many of the recipes that appear were inspired by her own family’s traditions. Cao is trained in permaculture, and also includes principles and practices of this sustainable, regenerative approach to gardening and agriculture.

Cao has an easy, conversational style. In Part 1, she covers many gardening basics, including a page on plant families that is especially helpful for gaining a better understanding of vegetables and herbs. Part 2 features plant profiles organized by season. For instance, Asian mustards come first in cool-season veggies, while vegetables like eggplant and long beans appear in the warm-season section. Each plant’s profile includes photographs that show how to plant, grow, harvest and cook it. 

Interested but not sure where to start? Browse through all the gorgeous, mouthwatering pictures of finished dishes in this delightful book: You won’t go wrong picking any of these options to grow and cook yourself.