Great Gift Ideas for the Gardener

We are avid gardeners and we know that many non-gardeners don't always know which gifts plant lovers would enjoy and use. Here you'll find a list of our most desired gift items. Whether the gift is for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day or Father's Day, you'll find something here that any plant enthusiast should love.

We have been gardening for over 40 years. In fact, we love to garden. Nothing is more satisfying than to get your hands dirty and to spend several peaceful hours in nature helping things grow.

My mother always said that if you want to please someone, you should give them something that you would like to receive. Here are things that we would use and enjoy. You may get some good ideas about what to give Aunt Paula or Uncle John and you might just enjoy our photographs which feature many of our favorite sustainable plants that gardeners would like to receive.

Plant lovers often start flowers, vegetables and herbs from seed. There are kits which make it easy. Collections of seeds or plants are always appreciated, so tucking some packages of seeds into any present would sweeten the gift. Put it all in a large reuseable basket with a handle that could be used for gathering the cut flowers, herbs and veggies that grow from the seeds. Add a big bow and the present is complete.

Heirloom plants are easy to care for and hardy. They have survived under adverse conditions for years and many are used by wildlife. Antique roses and other old favorites have been passed along for generations.

Most heirloom roses are very fragrant and don't require chemical sprays and pesticides like many of the modern hybrid teas. They are the only type of rose that I grow. The rose hips are high in vitamin C and can be used in teas and jellies. Start a family tradition with a rose plant. I have always treasured an old pink rose that was passed down from my mother. It grows in a prominet place in the memory garden.

Native or cultivated fruit trees and shrubs would be a good present for someone who was interested in a sustainable landscape. These plants produce beautiful flowers and delicious edible fruit for years. I especially like mayhaw, pear and plum trees. The fruit can be used to make delicious jelly or jam.

Flowers, Flowers, Flowers - There are oodles of rare and unusual plants and flower seeds including perennial plants available online. Many are easy to germinate and care for.

Christmas and Easter cactus (Zygocactus) are some of the most beautiful succulent plants. They do well as house plants or on a porch during warm weather. When they aren't blooming, they prefer dry soil so they thrive on neglect.

A good gardening book will keep me occupied for hours especially when the weather is not conducive to venturing outside. My favorite non-fiction genres include plant identification, wildlife and sustainable gardening, native and old-fashioned plants as well as vegetable and herb gardening. Books with good illustrations and photographs are a must.

There are so many gadgets that make gardening easier. Planters love things with pockets where they can put hand tools and gloves. A caddy that fits on a weeding bucket is a great gift. All those needed tools are within reach during weeding or pruning sessions and there's a place for the cuttings or weeds... such a neat gadget.

I have several aprons made of sturdy fabric with big pockets to hold tools, gloves, seeds, ties, etc. I really like ones that cover your chest and keeps your clothes clean. I don't have to search for the clippers or trowel because they're right there in the apron pocket.

If you fill a plastic bucket with other gadgets such as sturdy stainless steel trowels, sharp clippers, some Atlas gloves and an apron with lots of pockets, you'll make someone very happy.

We enjoy photographing the flowers and wildlife in our yard. Most people would enjoy a pretty poster, print or other visual art. We have provided a few pretty floral pictures here to brighten up your day and to give you good plant suggestions. Native Indian Pinks are my favorite flower. They grow in shade and are striking in the landscape. The fact that hummingbirds love them only adds to their charm.

Gardeners need to keep track of plantings and some even plant by the full moon, so calendars are a must have. Many beautiful nature calendars are available online. There are wonderful photos on every page and gardeners who are also crafters can recycle the photos.

All calendars can be customized with the year, special dates, style and even the photos. These calendars are a great green gift.

After a busy day of gardening, I enjoy relaxing in a warm bath infused with herbal bath salts or a shower with some lavender scented soap. A nice cup of soothing chamomile tea with ginger, turmeric and honey in a pretty floral mug helps to ensure a restful sleep so I will be “bright-eyed and bushy tailed” come morning.

Group all of these things, plus some delicious jelly and jam and some scone or muffin mix in a useful basket to create a thoughtful and caring gift.

Deep down inside, every gardener wants his/her own greenhouse. Choose one that is large enough, but that will fit nicely into the backyard. We all would love to have a place to save those less cold hardy plants during the winter and it's also a great place to start vegetable, herb and flower seeds for the spring garden.

We have a custom built greenhouse/chicken coop for our space so that we can keep delicate tropicals such as bananas and citrus trees alive through harsh winters.

For southern gardeners, a portable greenhouse that could be erected during winter and taken down for the rest of the year might be a good choice.

For an extra special gift you may want to try one of the online print-on-demand shops which provide a variety of ready-made and custom gift product designs including art and photographic poster prints, calendars, clothing, mugs and bags. Some even convert photographs ans designs into embroidery on textiles.

If all else fails, give them a gift certificate to a favorite garden supply house or nursery.