THERE is nothing quite like the look and feel of books. This week I have a selection of new garden books to inspire you for the coming spring.

The history of ‘Heide’

“SUNDAY’S Garden – Growing Heide” (The Miegunyah Press, hardback, 233pp, $45), by Lesley Harding and Kendrah Morgan, is the fascinating story of the establishment of “Heide”, a property on the outskirts of Melbourne by Sunday and John Reid.

Intertwined into this world of gardening are such luminaries as Sidney Nolan, Charles Blackman, Albert Tucker and others, all of whom contributed in the development of this garden and the restoration of a derelict farmhouse. Over 50 years, the Reids turned a wilderness into their own Garden of Eden.

Incidentally, Nolan painted his “Ned Kelly” series on the dining room table at “Heide”. John Reid’s art collection formed the basis for what is now the Heide Museum of Modern Art.

This is the story of extraordinary hard work, combined with the pleasure of gardening. Detailed plant lists with historic and recent images of the garden complete this fascinating book.

Jewel in the crown

POSSIBLY the jewel in the crown of new garden books in this selection is the “Encyclopedia of Flowering Shrubs” (Timber Press, hardback, 436pp, $59.95), by Jim Gardiner, director of horticulture at the UK Royal Horticultural Society, which features more than 1700 flowering shrubs with more than 2000 excellent photos.

Gardiner was curator of the society’s principal garden at Wisley, in Surrey, for 22 years and, before that, curator of the Sir Harold Hillier gardens and arboretum, of which I recently said its “Manual of Trees and Shrubs” was considered almost a bible of plants.

As this edition is printed in the US, each plant is rated in the climatic zones of that country. This is fully explained and is based on the lowest average winter temperatures that plants will tolerate. It is a must for every plant library.

Discussing magnolias last week, it is interesting to note that Gardiner’s “Magnolias – a Gardener’s Guide” is a classic on this genus.

Goodbye to lawns

“BEAUTIFUL No-Mow Yards” (Timber Press, paperback, 250pp, $29.95), by Evelyn J. Hadden, would have been a welcome addition to garden books during the drought.

So many lawns still look dead and forlorn. Other folk converted their lawns into beds of drought-resistant plants.

Not only does the book discuss reducing or eliminating lawns, but there are ideas galore on every page, including patio areas, eco-friendly garden beds and veggie gardens.

To complete the picture, there are chapters on garden maintenance and plant lists.

Room for fruit trees

WITH ever-decreasing block sizes, I still have clients asking if there is any room for fruit trees. “Fruit Trees for Small Spaces” (Timber Press, paperback, 256pp, $29.99) by Colby Eierman, will provide most of the answers.

Also printed overseas, not all the varieties of fruit trees will be available here. However, referring to this book in conjunction with advice from your local garden centre will overcome this minor problem. Pruning, irrigation and a range of recipes are all included.

Kids in the garden

I ALWAYS feel there is a lack of children’s books on gardening. Children exposed to gardening early will generally continue this interest for the rest of their life.

“The Book of Gardening Projects for Kids” (Timber Press, paperback, 256pp, $22.99) by Whitney Cohen and John Fisher with 101 ways to get kids outside, dirty and having fun. This should be in every school library and every household with kids. This would have to be one of the best garden books for kids I have seen, every page is an adventure.

And then there’s…

OTHER new books I recommend checking out include “Pest-repellent Plants” (Hyland Press, paperback, 150pp, $26.95), by Penny Woodward, which is an absolute gem. Also “The Lavender Lover’s Handbook” (Timber Press, hardcover, 192pp, $34.95), by Sarah Berringer Bader, lists more than 100 varieties of one of the world’s favourite plants.