Christmas ideas for garden and greenhouse lovers

With Christmas less than three weeks away, buying for garden and greenhouse enthusiasts might be a difficult prospect for some.

The recent snow and ice mean that purchasing a plant or tree might be unwise at the moment, so a book may be a safer choice.

Fortunately, the Independent has highlighted a number of top gardening books that will keep growers busy during the winter.

These include Italy’s Private Gardens, which gives readers a sneaky peek into some of the most stunning green spaces in the Mediterranean country.

Readers can expect to see a number of gorgeous examples of how to use water features, olive groves and terracotta urns to spice up beautiful gardens with attractive views.

The newspaper also noted that Mark Diacono’s A Taste of the Unexpected would make a great gift for those who enjoy growing food that is a little out of the ordinary.

It gives examples of how to grow less common fruits and how to use them in tasty recipes.

Other top gift ideas include the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Horticultural Show Handbook and gift vouchers for Medwyn’s Seeds, which specialises in helping gardeners grow fantastic plants, such as extra long leeks and bright yellow cauliflowers.

In other news, the RHS recently revealed that company-owned gardens in London are being sought out for a showcase weekend that will allow horticulture fans to take a look at some of the capital’s hidden gems.