As I begin to start my greenhouse full of plants for the spring, I started to think about reading about plants!
Here’s a list of FICTIONS centered around plants, flowers, gardening, and botany:
- “The Overstory” by Richard Powers
A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that weaves together the lives of people deeply connected to trees and nature, exploring themes of environmentalism and human impact on the planet. - “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett
A classic children’s novel where the rejuvenation of a neglected garden parallels the emotional healing of the characters. - “The Day of the Triffids” by John Wyndham
A science fiction classic where Triffids, aggressive and mobile plants, take over the world in the aftermath of a global catastrophe - “The Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
A novel that revolves around the Victorian practice of floriography (the language of flowers), where each flower carries a specific meaning and can communicate emotions. - “The House of the Spirits” by Isabel Allende
A magical realism novel where the symbolism of plants and flowers plays a significant role in the story, representing themes of love, family, and history. - “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver
This novel about a missionary family in Congo touches on the relationships between humans and nature, with plants and the surrounding environment playing a symbolic and literal role. - “The Night Garden” by Lisa Van Allen
A novel about the significance of a garden and the way it brings together characters with different pasts, focusing on healing, relationships, and the mystery of the natural world. - “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame
While focused more on animal characters, the lush descriptions of nature, the riverbank, and plant life make it an important work where the natural world, including plants and flowers, plays a pivotal role. - “The Silent Stars Go By” by James S.A. Corey
A science fiction novel that explores the role of plants in colonizing other planets and how they can be used to terraform alien environments. - “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes
While not centered directly on plants, the title and theme revolve around a laboratory mouse named Algernon who undergoes an experimental procedure, and it indirectly touches on human experimentation in relation to nature. - “The Seed Keeper” by Diane Wilson
A novel that revolves around the importance of seed saving, family history, and the resilience of plants, with themes of environmentalism and cultural heritage. - “The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons” by Sam Kean
Not strictly about plants, but it explores the brain, memory, and consciousness in ways that could interest those fascinated by the intersection of science and nature.
NON-FICTION
“The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World” by Peter Wohlleben
Wohlleben, a German forester, explores the intricate and surprising ways trees communicate with each other and interact within their ecosystems. This book gives readers a deeper understanding of how trees are interconnected and far more complex than we often realize.
“Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants” by Robin Wall Kimmerer
A beautiful blend of memoir, science, and indigenous philosophy, this book explores the wisdom that plants can teach us. Kimmerer, a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, discusses the reciprocal relationship humans can have with nature, highlighting plants as living teachers.
“The Secret Life of Plants” by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird
This book explores the fascinating world of plant intelligence, investigating the possibility that plants can sense their environment, communicate with each other, and respond to human interaction. It’s a mix of science and mystery, exploring the unknown capabilities of plants.
“Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren
A memoir by renowned scientist Hope Jahren, Lab Girl delves into her life as a botanist, combining personal narrative with reflections on the scientific study of plants. She shares her passion for the natural world, particularly trees, and provides a look into the life of a woman in the field of science.
“The Flower Hunter: William Hooker and the Golden Age of Botany” by Fiona J. McDonald
This book tells the story of William Hooker, a pioneering botanist in the 18th and 19th centuries, whose explorations and scientific work helped shape the field of botany. It’s a deep dive into botanical history, combining exploration, adventure, and science.
“The Plant Lover’s Guide to Ferns” by Richie Steffen and Sue Olsen
A more niche but captivating book for those interested in ferns, this guide covers various fern species, their cultivation, and the history behind them. It’s a great resource for gardeners and botanists alike.
“The Overstory: A Novel” by Richard Powers
Although a work of fiction, this book is deeply rooted in real botanical knowledge and addresses themes of tree conservation, ecological devastation, and the interconnectedness of life. Its scientific accuracy and reverence for trees make it a great read for anyone interested in the natural world.
“The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World” by Andrea Wulf
A biography of the scientist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt, whose work in the late 18th and early 19th centuries laid the groundwork for modern environmentalism and the scientific understanding of nature. His exploration of plants, geography, and climate revolutionized our understanding of the natural world.
“Staying Alive: A Wild Life in the Woods” by Jennifer Pharr Davis
While not exclusively about plants, this memoir chronicles the author’s experience as a hiker, adventurer, and wilderness guide. Throughout the narrative, plants and nature play a significant role, as she discusses the life lessons she learned from her time in the wild.
“Wildflowers of the World” by David K. Ferguson
A visually stunning and informative book that takes the reader through a global tour of wildflowers, detailing species, habitats, and the ecological importance of each one. It’s an excellent resource for plant lovers and anyone interested in floral diversity.
“On the Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin
Although it may not focus specifically on botany in the traditional sense, Darwin’s groundbreaking work on the theory of evolution deeply influenced the study of plants and their development. It offers crucial insights into the role plants play in the broader natural world.
“The Botanic Garden: A History” by Michael Salmon
This book offers a comprehensive look at the history of botanic gardens, from their early beginnings to their role in modern plant conservation and research. It’s an informative read for anyone interested in the institutional history of plant cultivation and research.
“The Orchid Thief” by Susan Orlean
A nonfiction book that tells the story of the quest for rare orchids, but its storytelling has a fictional, narrative-like quality that explores the obsession with plants.
“The Botany of Desire” by Michael Pollan
This nonfiction book reads like a narrative, exploring how four plants (apple, tulip, marijuana, and potato) have shaped human history and culture.