Beautiful Gardening Books

Beautiful Gardening Books. My morning run takes me around a sweet little park near our house. It is a serene green space in that still clings to its agricultural past even as suburbia has built up around it. Neighbors come here to move their limbs while enjoying the sun and respite from the world. Wild, rambling roses grow in large patches with little brown bunnies peeping out from underneath the sheltering brambles. Periwinkle waves of Chicory flow throughout the field, raising their heads to the sun. And Queen Anne’s Lace stands tall in her regal, Victorian dress reminding everyone of her presence. Purple mouse peas reminiscent of sweet peas are a miniature creation of purple and look as if they belong in a charming garden created for Thumbelina. Each day is like running in a Beatrix Potter story with the gentle countryside atmosphere of this park.

Beautiful Gardening Books

It is in these times that Mother Nature often moves my spirit, and I was inspired to pick up some beautiful gardening books to ponder over in a still moment. My middle-agedness is teaching me to slow down and enjoy the moments and to think about them. The garden is a place I like to think about. Sometimes I like to go out to sit on the deck and soak in the view of the garden while reading some garden-themed verses. The books selected today have a focus on the beauty, spiritual and raw nature of both gardening and the garden itself. And I wanted to read other like-minded gardeners who viewed the love of soil in a deeper way.

Growing Wonder by Felicia Alvarez. Roses are my obsession. Since we moved to Hidden Bluff, an area prime for rose growing, I have planted 10, yes 10, rose bushes and counting. And yes, they are coming along splendidly, and I am wanting to learn more. Growing Wonder is a book for people who love roses and want to learn about them. It is a lovely book that is a pleasure to read. It is not exhaustive; however, it is a great basic, beginners’ book that covers types of roses, the basics of growing roses, and more.

Garden Maker by Christine Purifoy. The next book on my list I stumbled onto by accident but love the gorgeous and essays on gardening life. Christine journals her gardening experiences and thoughts in beautiful words for enjoying the garden experience in a deeper and making plenty of spiritual connections in the process. And for many of us gardening is a spiritual activity of not just beauty but renewal and cleansing. This is one I read a bit at a time to thoughtfully engage with her words. It is a pleasant with lighthearted, whimsical touches.

From Seed to Bloom by Milli Proust is a new book that guides you through growing flowers to creating arrangements with them. Most books I have seen on this subject cover either growing or arranging, but not both. Milli has everything from how to design bouquets to making a tea to feed your plants. There are sections for indoor and outdoor growing. This is a beautiful resource book for beginners.

The Morville Hours by Katherine Swift. This last one picked because I adore literature and writing. This is not a speed read, but for those who appreciate artistic writers and beautiful words. It is the story of Katherine’s journey to create her garden in Morville in 1988. This book is styled after the medieval Book of Hours, a Christian prayer book and it is not light reading. In true English fashion Katherine takes us along the emotional, mental, and historical journey of her garden creation. This one is only a recommend for fellow literature lovers who love meaty reads to ponder.

Have a beautiful day!