Whether you’re hoping to refine your skills, learn about the plants around us, or discover what role plants have played in history and culture, our horticulturalists have compiled a list of books about plants that are sure to spark your curiosity and give you a new appreciation for the botanical world.
Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden: Grow Harvest & Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms by Erin Benzakein
Equal parts instructive and inspiring, this book offers advice on growing, harvesting, and arranging cut flowers in all seasons and a variety of climates. Lush photographs are paired with step-by-step instructions, making this a great choice for any floral enthusiast.
Botany for Gardeners, Fourth Edition by Brian Capon
A must-have for every gardener looking to deepen their understanding of the inner workings of plants. The latest edition of Capon’s well-regarded reference offers new photographs and illustrations as well as information on the latest advances in botany and updates to nomenclature and taxonomy.
Gardening Can Be Murder: How Poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers by Marta McDowell
A recent featured speaker for the Garden’s Member Speaker Series, McDowell’s new book shines a light on the influence of gardens and gardening on the mystery and crime genres.
Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities by Amy Stewart
If Gardening Can Be Murder piqued your horticultural interests, then we can also recommend this beautifully illustrated book that profiles many of the world’s most deadly and dangerous plants.
Herbs around the Mediterranean by St. Louis Herb Society
The newest book from the St. Louis Herb Society offers a deep dive into the rich history of medicinal and culinary herbs in the Mediterranean region. Profiles of both well-known plants such as lavender and parsley as well as lesser-known plants such as rampion and sumac are included.
For All the Tea in China: Espionage, Empire and the Secret Formula for the World’s Favourite Drink by Sarah Rose
A lively accounting of the historical and economic impacts of the British tea trade and expeditions undertaken by Scottish botanist Robert Fortune to uncover the secrets of tea cultivation in China.
Common Fields: An Environmental History of St. Louis edited by Andrew Hurley
This collection of thirteen essays published by the Missouri Historical Society Press tackles the strain between urban expansion and environmental sustainability. Topics covered include the rise and decline of Cahokia, efforts to create a Missouri Valley Authority, and the social and environmental impacts of street paving.
Fen, Bog and Swamp: A Short History of Peatland Destruction and Its Role in the Climate Crisis by Annie Proulx
Pulitzer Prize winning author Proulx explores the environmental and climate impacts of past, present and future wetland degradation.
Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design by Benjamin Vogt
Converting turfgrass lawn to native prairie plantings is increasing in popularity, but can seem like a daunting undertaking. With Vogt’s detailed guide to designing, installing, and maintaining homegrown prairies, gardeners can take the leap and create beautiful landscapes that are sustainable and beneficial to native wildlife.
You can find many these books at your local library or download an E-book through Libby.
Libby is a mobile app that allows users to download E-books from their local libraries. Libby is used by St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis County Library, and over 22,000 public and private libraries across the country.
Did you know the Missouri Botanical Garden publishes and sell journals and books about plants? From textbooks to children’s books, the Missouri Botanical Garden Press plays a key role in the Garden’s mission to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment and provides an important outlet for the dissemination of botanical research. Learn more >
Written by Justine Kandra, Horticulturalist
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