Guest Author - Sue Walsh

Got a plant lover on your list, or just want to drop a few hints? Here's a list of great gift ideas! 'Tis the season for gift giving, and here are some great ideas for anyone with plant lovers on her list!

Read Up- Books are always a great gift. Some great additions to a plant lover's library include The Expert series by D.G. Hessayon, New Illustrated Guide to Gardening by Editors of Reader's Digest, and the Vegetable Gardener’s Bible by Edward C. Smith.

Subscribe Them- Consider giving a subscription to a gardening magazine. Horticulture is the best of the bunch. There’s also Garden Gate and Birds and Blooms.

Write It Down- How about a pretty gardening journal? They’ll be able to keep a record of their plants’ growth, problems, and more.

Tool Time- Gardeners need tools too! Most garden centers and catalogs offer a wide variety.. Add a pair of pretty gloves, a moisture meter, a bottle of plant food, a few packets of seeds, and a small bag of potting soil and pack in a large terracotta pot for the perfect gift set.
Shelve It- Consider giving a pretty plant rack or hanger. Plant lovers can never have too much room for their plants. A small indoor greenhouse would also make a great gift.

Join the Club- A membership in a gardening organization will benefit both the recipient and the organization. Try the National Gardening Association, The American Horticultural Society, The African Violet Society of America, and more. Don’t forget local botanical gardens and organizations too-they usually offer special deals for the holidays.

Card Them- Gift cards or certificates for any place that sells plants, from Lowe's and Home Depot to the local garden center or nursery, will always be appreciated. Most gardening catalogs offer them as well. Some of the best include Plant Delights and White Flower Farm. Present the certificate with a copy of the latest catalog to make shopping easy for the recipient.

Plant It- Of course, gifts of plants themselves are always a hit with plant lovers. Avoid florist plants such as mums which are designed to be discarded once they finish blooming. Also avoid pre-planted dish gardens because they often include plants with very different light and watering requirements. Instead, buy plants separately and present them in a pretty basket. Check out our past articles for tips on buying plants.

Have some gift ideas to share or questions about the ones listed here? Drop by our discussion forums and post them-we’d love to hear from you!