The Japanese Gardens Islands of Serenity, photos by Haruzo Ohashi, hardback published by Japan Publications. ISBN 978-0-87040-989-9, price 19.49 GBP or 32 US dollars from www.jpbooks.co.uk

This follows the same format as Japanese Gardens of The Modern Era – a beautiful pictorial guide to Japanese Gardens with informative notes on each garden. A good guide to the gardens of Japan.

Japanese Gardens of the Modern Era by Haruzo Ohashi, hardback published by Japan Publications. ISBN 978-4-88996-055-6, price 19.08 GBP or 32 US dollars from www.jpbooks.co.uk

The book begins with a short, two page introduction from the author, the remainder is a pictorial guide to beautiful Japanese gardens. At the back of the book is an explanation of each garden. Anyone who loves Japanese gardens will want this book. The photographs are stunning and the text is informative, if brief.

Japanese Gardens Styles and Motifs by Katsuhiko Mizuno, softback, spiral bound, published by Japan Publications. ISBN 978-4-88996-183-6, price 1.99 GBP or 12.95 US dollars from www.jpbooks.co.uk

A neat way to learn about all the essential elements of the Japanese Garden. If you love Japanese garden style, this book includes all you need to know. Each item is illustrated and has accompanying text. I would buy this for the know-how and the photographs. As it is spiral bound it lies flat.

Good Housekeeping Easy to Grow Vegetables, softback published by Collins and Brown. ISBN 978-1-84340-538-2, price 5.99 from www.anovabooks.com

Like its counterpart, it’s on the old-fashioned side, but of the two books, this is the better one. Basic information on growing easy vegetables. My advice would be to spend a little more and get some in-depth knowledge.

Good Housekeeping Easy to Grow Pots and Containers, softback published by Collins & Brown. ISBN 978-1-84340-541-2, price 5.99 from www.anovabooks.com

I used to buy Good Housekeeping magazine 20 years ago and it’s not moved on from then. In fact if the publishing date had said 1985, I would have believed it. If you want to know more about plants you will find on every street corner, then this is the book for you. As a leading horticulturist, I think gardening has moved on just a bit. Very reasonably priced and it should be.

The Great Edwardian Gardens of Harold Peto, hardback published by Aurum Press. ISBN 1-84513-235-1, price 40.00 from www.aurumpress.co.uk

From the archives of Country Life, reproduced in the same format, this book gives an insight into the work and creations of harold Peto. His gardens are spectacular and I am a great admirer. However, I would have liked to have seen a different viewpoint taken from today instead of from the past. I would also have appreciated seeing all the gardens in colour. This book does have a brief biography of Peto, but that is not sufficient to rescue it in my opinion. The text is, of course, interesting, but modern day views of Peto’s gardens are different from those of his own time.

The Room Outside by David Stevens, hardback published by Jacqui Small. ISBN 987-1-903221-90-7, price 20.00 from www.aurumpress.co.uk

David is an international garden designer whose work is known world-wide. His garden design is based on traditional methods with a contemporary design. There are few better in the industry. I have met David and he once commented favourably upon one of my garden designs at the San Francisco Show. I admire him greatly and this is a good showcase of his style. Bring the outdoors in to the house. Celebrate plants in an unfussy environment. Use water, sculpture and other elements of the garden to maximum effect. This is not a how-to book although it includes a few garden plans, instead it looks at David’s ideas and philosophy and how to adapt this to any garden space. Illustrated with fantastic photography and full of inspiration.

Botanic Gardens – A Living History, hardback by Black Dog Publishing. ISBN 978-1-904772-72-9, price 39.95 from www.blackdogonline.com

I remember Stephen Anderton, one of my favourite British garden authors writing a piece on the future of Botanic Gardens some years ago, when the National Botanic Garden of Wales opened. Ever since then, I nurtured the idea of writing a book on botanic gardens – but never got around to it, hey these guys have beaten me to it. What a fine job they have made. This 294 page book includes text from various garden authors on botanic gardens around the world. The photography is very good, although at times I yearned for even more larger images.

It is so much more than a mere directory of gardens. The book traces the history of the botanic garden. There is also a wonderful section on ‘Where Art and Science Meet’, discussing the paintings of Marianne North and other botanical artists. Informative, learned and interesting, I recommend this book.

The Natural Garden Handbook by Caroline Foley, hardback published by New Holland Publishers. ISBN 978-1-84773-434-1, price 12.99 from www.newhollandpublishers.com

Subtitled ‘Creating The Perfect Environment For Local Plants and wildlife in a Biodiverse Garden’, yes, this is all about self-sustaining. Find out how to encourage wildlife into your garden. Discover how to green your shed roof or make a bird box. Learn about woodlands and hedges, water and stone, all the components of a natural garden. Create a meadow. This book includes a comprehensive list of natural flora including advice on trees so that you can grow the right plants for your area. There is also a delightful sections on native birds, see how many you can encourage into your garden. Gardens these days are in danger of becoming concrete jungles with gas guzzling patio heaters. Take the steps to biodiversity in this book and get closer to nature by giving something back to the environment.

The Girl’s Guide to Growing Your Own by Alex Mitchell, softback published by New Holland. ISBN 978-1-84773-510-2, price 12.99 from www.newhollandpublishers.com

Subtitled ‘How to grow Fruit and vegetables without getting Your Hands Too Dirty’, seems and odd title for a gardening book lauding the pleasures of ‘growing your own’. Gardening without dirt – a good name for a hydroponics book! Aimed at absolute beginners, this book is divided into seasons. It has a useful difficulty rating for sowing seed. This funky style book aimed at young women, is sprinkled throughout with tips, the odd recipe and much more. Well-illustrated, practical and down to earth information on growing your first fruit, vegetables and salad greens. The book is aimed at the modern women, with not too much time on her hands and who does not have acres and acres in which to grow. Not for horticultural heavyweights but for green gardeners who want to have a bit of fun.