2026: Books to Flip Through to Dream of a Flowering Garden

For me, books are not just technical manuals, but true traveling companions that fuel my creativity and help me look at flowers with fresh eyes.

Giardini sostenibili

Francesco Fedelfio

I want to start with this book because it is a rare gem: it is one of the very few texts written in Italian that addresses the theme of sustainability in the garden with such depth. Francesco has done an truly extraordinary job, and I highly recommend it because it is absolutely packed with information and practical insights. If you are looking for an authoritative guide to creating spaces that respect the environment without sacrificing aesthetics, this is the must-have volume.

Growing

Ramona Jones

Ramona Jones’ book (the mind behind @monalogue) is a true balm for the soul. I lost myself in her photographs and her poetic way of storytelling through the cycle of the seasons. I re-read it to remind myself that gardening is, first and foremost, an act of self-care—a gentle way to allow our souls to take root in beauty.

What Grows Together

Jamie Butterworth

I’ve been following Jamie Butterworth for a while, and this work of his on plant "affinities" immediately became one of my favorites. I love how he explores the concept of companion planting not just for plant health, but for the final visual effect.

I find it incredibly useful for understanding who "gets along" with whom, creating that natural harmony I always strive to recreate in my own spaces.

Dream Plants for the Natural Garden

Piet Oudolf & Henk Gerritsen

I couldn't leave out this classic. Every time I reopen it, I find a new detail. I adore the vision of Oudolf and Gerritsen: here, plants are not chosen just for their flowers, but for their structure and how they age. It is the book that taught me to love the garden even in winter, celebrating dried forms and grasses. For me, it remains an inexhaustible source of inspiration.

Sissinghurst: the Dream Garden

Tim Richardson

Sissinghurst is a place close to my heart. Richardson’s book fascinated me because it doesn't just celebrate the romantic past of Vita Sackville-West; it tells how this legendary garden is evolving toward a more contemporary and conscious management. It is a perfect bridge between the tradition of old roses and the challenges of the future—a read that reminds us how even the most iconic places must breathe and change along with the world.

Sweet Pea School

Marryn Mathis

I love sweet peas, but I’ve always struggled to grow them. This year, however, I decided to give it another serious try, and Marryn Mathis’ book was my salvation. It has become my definitive manual: Marryn explains everything with contagious passion, from winter sowing to the tricks for finally getting those long, fragrant stems. It gave me so much confidence and a wealth of ideas for the coming season. Fingers crossed now!

No Dig

Charles Dowding

In this book, Dowding masterfully explains how to preserve soil life. I like it because it simplifies the heavy labor and allows us to have much healthier and more vigorous plants. It is a technical but transformative read, perfect for those who want a lush garden by working "with" nature rather than against it.

RHS Grow Your Own Veg Through the Year

Mitchell Beazley

I’m introducing more and more vegetables into my floral arrangements; I find they have incredible textures and shades. But let’s not forget that the beauty of a vegetable garden is that, after admiring it, you harvest and eat it! This RHS manual is my right hand: a month-by-month guide that is incredibly useful for growing plants that look stunning in bouquets but also end up on the table with great satisfaction.

Horti Curious

Ann Treneman

Finally, a slightly more lighthearted book that I absolutely adored. I am an extremely curious person, and this volume by Ann Treneman is a goldmine of absurd anecdotes, stories of eccentric botanists, and plants with bizarre habits. It is the perfect read for relaxing moments—the kind that makes you smile and fall even deeper in love with this incredible and quirky world of gardening.