Last year I wrote about my favourite garden related books of the year in late December. Many people commented that they would have found it useful for buying Christmas presents if I had posted in November. So here are my 5 best books for Xmas with something that will appeal to different age groups and levels of expertise. NB There are several brilliant books which I have greatly enjoyed which don’t appear here.



‘Are trees social beings? How do trees live? Do they feel pain or have awareness of their surroundings? In The Hidden Life of Trees Peter Wohlleben makes the case that the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers. Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death and regeneration he has observed in his woodland. A walk in the woods will never be the same again.’
Mind blowing stuff, this- will delight tree lovers and the curious of any age.

‘Unrivalled gardening wisdom from Monty Don, including essential tips, knowledge and musings from his 50 years of gardening experience. Written as he talks, this is Monty Don right beside you in the garden, challenging norms and sharing advice. Discover Monty’s thoughts and garden ideas around nature, seasons, colour, design, pests, flowering shrubs, containers, and much more. Read about the month-by month jobs he does in his own garden that he hopes are relevant to you. Monty’s intimate and lyrical writing is accompanied by photos of his garden, showing areas rarely seen on television. This is the perfect gift for the gardener in your life.’
“I have written many gardening books but this is the distillation of 50 years of gardening experience. It has all the tips and essential pieces of knowledge that enable you to make your garden grow well, and it also shares my view that gardening is the secret to living well too.” – Monty
If there is someone in your life who is on the brink of discovering the joys of gardening, this one is for them. Of course, many Monty fans will also want a copy.

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