Top Gardening Gifts
Looking for gift ideas for the avid gardener in your life? Go beyond stepping stones with these books, pottery, tools and more they’ll love.Finding a thoughtful gift for a loved one can be a challenge, but we’re here to help! Here are our favorite gardening gifts—curated by the Garden Design editors.
Proven Winners
Flower Pillow
Mom will love growing her own flower garden without having to do too much work (she does deserve a break, after all!) Flower Pillows come in pre-planted combinations so all she'll have to do is simply plant into her favorite container and voilà, she'll have months of vibrant flowers! Tip: Planting it with the grandkids will create a special memory for all involved. Available in 26 different 'recipes.'
Olga Akbarova
Tea Towel
We all know moms spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so why not brighten it up with an adorable tea towel designed by artist Olga Akbarvoa? Towels are brightly colored with original illustrations, like the Pacific Grove Tea Towel shown. Just don't make mom do the dishes on Mother's Day, okay?
LeJardinet.com
Designing Abundant Containers Online Course
It's time to let mom be the one to play in the dirt. Gift her this online course and she'll learn from professional container designer, Karen Chapman, how to design and plant beautiful garden containers. Why not take the course together (you can watch it at your convenience) and then treat mom to a trip to the nursery? Plant a container together and make some memories.
Ballard Designs
Cherry Blossom Stems and Vase
These gifts for mom can be combined together or given individually. A great way to enjoy a kiss of spring year-round, the cherry blossom stems come in a set of three and are hand finished. The Honeycomb Vase comes in two sizes and is handmade of terra cotta with a whitewash glaze. Both, together or separate, will brighten mom’s favorite room with love!
Frontgate
Ladybugs
My mother-in-law loved ladybugs, so having these whimsy statues in our gift guide was a no-brainer. They can be used outdoors or inside, are crafted in aluminum and hand-painted with a zinc finish with gold highlights. Maybe get a small one (11-1/2"L x 10"W x 5"H) from each of mom’s little ‘bugs?’
Frontgate
Porthole Infuser
Does mom have a knack for creating delicious combinations in the kitchen? With this infuser, she can create cocktails, oils, teas, dressings, lemonade, coffee and more-all while showcasing her garden-to-kitchen style. Durably constructed of stainless steel and tempered glass, this might be the start of new family gathering traditions!
Babo Botanicals
Sun Protection
This Daily Sheer Sunscreen contains organic sunflower seed and jojoba seed oil, organic aloe vera leaf juice, and beeswax, so while protecting mom's skin from the sun while she’s out gardening, it also soothes and moisturizes it. Bonus: A percentage of Babo Botanicals’ sales goes toward teaching kids about gardening and developing gardens for children.
Uncommon Goods
Birth-Month Flower
This sweet personalized gift is perfect for a mom who loves flowers! Select her birth month so she can grow their birth-month flower (for April, mini daisies; for August, poppies; for October, marigolds; etc). The kit has everything she needs to plant the flower—a small vase, soil, and seeds—and also includes information about what each birth flower symbolizes.
Terrain
Floral Bandana
If mom spends time gardening outside, a beautiful bandana with botanical print would make a thoughtful gift to help her protect her neck from the sun.
Terrain
Heart-Shaped Succulent Planter
Does mom love succulents? If so, this would make a great gift! The planter is made from reclaimed wood and filled with live succulents, soil and moss.
Terrain
Hydrangea Earrings
These dainty shimmering bronze earrings were cast from hydrangea blooms and would make a thoughtful gift for any mom who loves flowers.
Proven Winners
20 oz Tumbler
Gardening is tough work, so make sure mom stay hydrated! With this tumbler, she can bring her cold or hot drink out into the yard as she works. Made by YETI®, it holds 20 oz., eliminating trips back and forth for refills.
NinetoNone
Plant Lady Tee
Not only is this shirt super cute for the gal who loves plants—reviewers say it’s super soft, too! It’s available in 8 colors, including dark heather gray (shown).
Lori A. Stern
Flower Cookies
Get creative and send flowers in a different form—on a cookie! Lori Stern makes delicious and beautiful cookies decorated with edible flowers. The shortbread cookies will stay fresh for up to 3 weeks, so that gives your mom plenty of time to eat them (although we don’t think they'll last that long!).
Uncommon Goods
Candle with a Mini-Garden
This floral-scented candle is the gift that keeps on giving, even after the candle has been burned completely—and it produces zero waste. The box the candle comes in and the paper discs that protect the candle’s surface are infused with seeds. Simply soak the packaging and bury it beneath a layer of soil to grow wildflowers and poppies. And, of course, mom can also reuse the glass jar the candle comes in for other purposes—create a tiny terrarium, use it to hold a tea light, or use it as a small vase. The candle has 60 hours of burn time and comes in two scents: Siam Poppy or Sunflower.
Terrain
Gorgeous Gloves
Protect mom's hands! These comfortable and durable gardening gloves are also pretty, printed with Passiflora artwork from the Royal Horticultural Society’s Lindley Library.
La Chatelaine
Hand Cream Gift Set
For a mom who spends lots of time with her hands in the dirt, this La Chatelaine lotion set makes a delightful gift. The set includes 12 different 1oz bottles: Lemon Verbena, Gardenia, Pear, Coconut Milk, Shea, Sweet Almond, Rose Acacia, Orange Blossom, Lavender, Passion Fruit, Lychee Bilberry, and Wild Fig.
Crocs
Garden Boots
Waterproof boots that are easy to slip on and off are invaluable for gardeners. These Crocs come in 6 colors, including classic Navy (shown) and bright Lemon.
Dan Bernarcik
Garden Chair
For nearly 20 years, Dan Benarcik has been building and refining the design of this garden chair. It’s made of red cedar and/or Douglas fir, so it can withstand the outdoors.
Niteangel
Insect House
This home for insects would be a wonderful gift for those who love to observe the little creatures that keep our world going.
Planters' Choice
Bonsai Growing Kit
Encourage mindfulness by giving this Bonsai Starter Kit. It comes with everything needed to grow four Bonsai trees from seed—Pinus aristata, Delonix regia, Jacaranda mimosifolia, and Picea Abies.
Todd Holloway
Stylish Vertical Planters
Leo Wall Planters, made from aluminum (shown) or corten steel, are great for vertical gardening and are designed to direct water away from the surface they’re mounted on. From top to bottom: Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Foxtail’, Lavendula stoechas, and Mentha spicata var. crispa ‘Moroccan’. Designed by Todd Holloway of Pot Incorporated.
Tyson M. Weiss
Fish Garden Art
Maine artist Tyson M. Weiss makes these unique ceramic fish sculptures that appear to lazily cruise through pristine plantings. A school of three is ideal for conveying the impression of movement. They can stay outdoors all year and come with garden rods. The Medium Salsa Fishie is shown, but there are a variety of koi and trout in many colors.
Seibert & Rice
Seibert & Rice Shell Pot
Crafted in one of the oldest terra cotta workshops in Italy, this pot is equally stunning empty or planted. Seibert & Rice, a company specializing in fine Italian terra cotta, makes planters like this available in the U.S. The Shell Pot is part of their Ornamental Collection, which features pieces distinguished by their sculptural detail.
Esschert Designs
Fire Bowl
Give your friend or family member the gift of extending the time they get to spend outdoors in the evening by giving them this attractive rusted-steel fire bowl.
Terrain
Plant Mister
Many plants need a little spritz of water every day, and this pretty little plant mister can not only do the job—it’s also lovely to look at.
SunPrint
Sunprint Kit
Sunprinting is a simple way to capture the beauty of forms in nature. Easy to use, this sunprint kit makes a fun gift for people of all ages.
Terrain
Cotton Crusher Hat
Help protect the skin of the gardener you love by giving them this lightweight and breathable hat. A hidden drawstring assures a comfortable fit and the hat can be easily packed. Available in five colors from Terrain.
100% Pure
Lavender Body Cream
Gardening is tough on skin. Help your friend or loved one nourish, soften and hydrate theirs with this luxurious body cream from 100% Pure. They'll love the delicious, calming scent and that it’s free of anything artificial, synthetic or toxic.
NiftyNarwhalTM
Plant Marker
This garden marker would make a fun gift for a gardener with a good sense of humor. The marker was repurposed from a vintage silver-plated spoon and was handmade in Omaha, NE.
Proven Winners
The Proven Winners Garden Book: Simple Plans, Picture-Perfect Plants, and Expert Advice for Creating a Gorgeous Garden
Expert plant knowledge and creative design ideas from America’s #1 plant brand. The Proven Winners Garden Book contains simple garden plans to add curb appeal to your home, including a welcoming entryway, pollinator garden, flower garden, shady summertime retreat and deer-resistant garden. Not sure what plants work together in a container? You’ll also get 25 recipes to add color to your patio, porch or balcony. The authors also share lessons on garden prep, design choices, and how to buy the right plants.
Gibbs Smith
Dahlias: Beautiful Varieties for Home & Garden
Undeniably one of the most fabulous cutting flowers to grow at home-dahlias bloom late summer and into autumn when many other plants are done for the season. Well-known garden journalist Naomi Slade teams up with premier garden photographer Georgianna Lane, to bring you this beautiful book that will answer your questions about how to grow amazing dahlias. Get hands-on knowledge on growing and overwintering these tropical plants. Discover stunning specimens that bloom with flowers that range from tiny pompoms to dinner plate size.
Also from Georgianna Lane, New York in Bloom, $14 from Amazon
The Countryman Press
Gardentopia: Design Basics for Creating Beautiful Outdoor Spaces
Landscape and garden expert Jan Johnsen provides inspiration and instruction with over 100 unique techniques to transform humble gardens and yards into magical outdoor spaces. Her tips are illustrated, specific and easily applied. She suggests simple changes and design strategies that can have big impact, such as accenting curves and cascading trimming techniques. Over 100 color photos bring her book to life and help you see just what is possible in your own yard or garden.
Timber Press
Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers
Gardeners continue to find creative ways to bring green indoors, as exemplified by Leslie Halleck’s book Gardening Under Lights. Halleck fully equips readers with the information necessary to grow a variety of plants indoors. Not only does she cover the critical aspects of growing—lighting, pests, care, and more—readers will be pleased to find that Halleck also has a passion for making sure it all looks fantastic, too: “Growing plants and food indoors doesn’t have to be utilitarian; it can be a beautiful practice that blends into our living space and lifestyles,” she notes.
Cool Springs Press
Starting & Saving Seeds: Grow the Perfect Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs, and Flowers for Your Garden
Whether you’re just getting into gardening or you’re a gardening pro, Starting & Saving Seeds will guide you through the process of saving your own seeds and helping them flourish into strong, healthy, happy plants.
Timber Press
Gardenlust: A Botanical Tour of the World’s Best New Gardens
Get inspired by Gardenlust, a book that showcases 50 beautiful modern gardens around the world. Guiding readers through each garden is the author—plant guru, and renowned garden designer Christopher Woods whose background makes him the ideal garden guide: former director and chief designer at Chanticleer, vice president for horticulture at the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden, director of the Van Dusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver, executive director of the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden, and director of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Meadowbrook Farm. One reader gushes that “it could be awarded 5 stars just for the photography alone.”
Timber Press
The History of Landscape Design in 100 Gardens
Learn how the gardens of the past have influenced garden design today by exploring 100 of the most influential gardens in the world. Lecturer, teacher, and gardener Linda A. Chisholm, who teaches the history of landscape design at the New York Botanical Garden takes readers on this enchanting tour.
Timber Press
Among Trees: A Guided Journal for Forest Bathing
It’s no secret that immersing one’s self in nature has remarkable effects on mind and body. The purpose of this journal is to give you a way to record your trips into wild spaces, providing prompts that will help enhance your experience.
Timber Press
Peony: The Best Varieties for Your Garden
Are you interested in growing your own peonies but don’t know where to start? Learn from peony experts David C. Michener and Carol A. Adelman. In addition to providing the basics about peonies (the history, the types available, etc.), they share growing information for 194 of the best varieties.
Vremi
Tool Set
If you know someone who is looking to get into gardening (or if you know someone who you want to get into gardening!), this is a nice starter kit. It comes with 9 pieces: trowel shovel, rake hoe, weeder, spade, cultivator, pruning shears, spray bottle, and gloves—all in a handy storage caddy. All tools are rust resistant.
Corona Tools
Forged Dual Cut Bypass Pruner
Corona Tools is known for making sturdy, functional tools that serve gardeners well. This pruner has a second curve within the hook of the blade that allows you to easily cut branches up to 2 inches in diameter. It also has an internal spring, so it shouldn’t get bumped loose as you’re reaching inside a tangled shrub. This is a solid midrange model for the weekend warrior who prunes for short periods of time.
Josh Endres
Okatsune No. 103 Pruners/Secateurs
With no gearing, cushioning, or added leverage from the handle, these no-frills pruners by Niwaki rely on a sharp edge and hard steel to achieve crisp cuts—even on fibrous materials like bamboo. The latch can be slid open or closed on your hip, and the Japanese-style spring doesn’t fall off. In a nod to ergonomics, the blade has a slight angle downward. For those who appreciate simplicity and strong steel, this minimalist model is a satisfying choice.
Bully Tools, Inc.
Perforated Mud Shovel
When working in wet ground, ordinary shovels can get stuck in the muck. That’s where this shovel by Bully Tools sets itself apart. The holes in the blade let it slide free with less sticking and its welded I-beam keeps the handle attachment from cracking under heavy, mucky loads.
Meg Smith
Go-To Tool for Loosening Soil
Peter Jacobsen grows food for The French Laundry, a Michelin 3-star restaurant. The Meadow Creature Broadfork is his go-to tool for loosening soil without destroying its structure. “It works better than a hand rototiller and you get a nice workout,” he says. Under the bar are four 14-inch-long spikes; after driving the spikes into the soil, you use the handles to pull back on the tool, loosening the earth.
Green Heron Tools
HERShovel
The HERShovel was built to make the most of a woman’s stature and strength, but the company has also received positive feedback from men who have used the shovel. Its steel blade with extra-large step and its two-handed grip reduce shoulder and back strain while digging.
A.M. Leonard
Leonard Deluxe Stainless Steel Soil Knife
The tiny, jagged serrations of this American–made soil knife by A.M. Leonard are great not only for weeding but also for finer applications like scoring the roots on annual flowers and opening bags of potting soil. The twine-cutting notch and 6-inch ruler stamped onto the blade are helpful additions. However, though the curved shape of the handle is the epitome of comfort, it also shortens the area where you grasp the knife, making it most suitable for gardeners will smaller hands.
TDI Brands
Serrated Farmer Dagger
With its thick, highly sharpened teeth and nearly unbreakable boron steel blade, this knife by Dewit could be as useful in a dark alley as it is in the garden. It’s incredibly sturdy; a hammer can be used on the flat top of the handle to drive the tip of the knife through hardpan or rocky soil. It can be used right- or left-handed. For gardeners working in hard soil, it’s indispensable.
Fiskars Brands, Inc.
Compact Extendable Pruning Saw
The long pole and heavy head of many pole pruners makes for an awkward balancing act. This pruning saw by Fiskars solves that problem with a pole that collapses to 3 feet. The oval pole extends to 8 feet and is made of steel for added strength and stiffness compared with lighter aluminum tools.
