Today marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season and I’m ready with a list of  gift ideas for the gardener in your life.

While most botanical-themed gift guides feature garden tools and gloves, one can only have so many trowels. 

This list touches the practical, but dips into the indulgent—why not?

For an extra vote of confidence , know that every item is also on this gardener’s holiday list!

Seeds

Seed packets are one of the easiest, most cost effective options—and make perfect stocking stuffers.

If you’re not sure where to start, a low-maintenance annual like cosmos or sunflowers are perfect (you can find more ideas in our very first Garden People newsletter!).

Seed starting gear

If the gardener you’re shopping for starts seeds indoors, there are a few pieces of equipment that never go unused.

Seed starting trays are one of them. Gardener’s Supply offers a perfect little kit (which I’ve purchased in the past, and loved!) that includes two starter trays, markers and seed starting mix.

These plant lights are another useful gift. They’re low-cost, effective, and completely mobile. You can also find them on a tripod stand for more mobility options.

Stone statues

I live for a whimsical garden, and actually love stone statues.

Stopping by  your local garden center is a great starting point. But for online sources, Ohio-based Carruth Studios offers fun pieces. Or opt for a classic garden gnome.

Garden books

Garden books can be practical or beautiful—and ideally, both—making them an easy gift for the gardener or garden admirer.

Any book by Monty Don, iconic British garden expert, is sure to please. He just released a new one this year, The Garden Book, which I’m eager to get my hands on. The Complete Gardener is another great book, a favorite on my own shelf.

Arthur Parkinson, a young British gardener, also has a few beautiful gardening books. The Flower Yard is one of my favorites, and his recent releases Chicken Boy and The Pottery Gardener look just as good.

Any books at the intersection of gardening and art, like Taschen’s A Garden Eden, are a wonderful addition to any library.

Botanical kitchen gifts

Speaking of books, I’m lately very intrigued by garden-inspired cookbooks like Flamingo Estate’s Fridays from the Garden or The Farm Table by Julius Roberts (available in Europe, not out until February in the States—but I think with some sleuthing you can find a copy). Excellent for garden-to-table recipes.

Flamingo Estate also offers a number of botanical-forward gifts for the kitchen (and beyond), and beautifully designed to boot.

Garden gear

One of my very favorite brands is Gardenheir. They land firmly in the indulgent category, but what a treat.

From garden apparel, to gear, to antiques—I don’t think you can go wrong!

Indoor plants

For beginners, philodendrons are beautiful, and extremely easy to care for, and available at most any plant store or garden center (find more good varieties in Issue 02: Five easy houseplants!).

For gardeners with a bit more experience, consider gifting a small olive or citrus tree.

These trees grow happily in containers, are happy to live in a sunny living room during cold winters, and—bonus—produce fruit! They also can be purchased small and stay a very manageable size.

Arbequina olive trees are one of my favorites, and meyer lemon or key lime trees never disappoint.

📺 Book I’m reading

Duck, Death and the Tulip, written and illustrated by Wolf Erlbruch.

It’s a very short German picture book, one of my favorites. I love illustrated stories, and this one is so simple and lovely and poignant—all while covering a complex and usually scary topic.

🍄 Flower I’m admiring

The Lady Gardener Rose by David Austin.

It may seem like an odd time to be thinking about roses, as most are finished (or, like my knockouts, just winding down) for the year. However, it’s the perfect time to buy specialty roses.

Buy them now, and they’ll ship out at the ideal planting time for your zone (early spring).

For more rose guidance (selecting, buying, planting and caring) check out the Garden People Rose Guide!

Will you be treating yourself to any gifts on this list over the holidays? What else is on your holiday wishlist this year? Reply and let me know!

Xx,

Courtney