Turn over a new leaf

Dream of spring with these inspiring reads that deserve a place under any tree

- With Hannah Stephenson

Whether you're after a last-minute present, want to leaf through ideas for a garden project or learn practical information about planting, there are plenty of new books to dig into. Here are a few of the titles that caught our eye to help you make your garden one to savour in the spring.

THE NEW BEAUTIFUL

foreword by Piet Oudolf (Rizzoli International, £65)

Editors of Gardens Illustrated select the best new gardens from around the world to demonstrate irresistible plants and clever designs, with a focus on sustainability.

Explore loose, waving gardens that support wildlife in small urban backyards, pleached hornbeams that act as a living fence and gardens that showcase the best new ideas for hardscape, pathways, fountains and pergolas.

THE PRESERVER'S GARDEN

by Staci and Jeremy Hill (Cool Springs Press, £22)

If you're interested in pickling, fermenting, freeze-drying, salting and canning your homegrown produce, this book is definitely for you.

The authors explain that when growing for preservation, your efforts need to be focused on the promotion of uniform ripening, high yields and flavour that remains stable through the preservation process.

Plus, there's information on how much to plant, best varieties of fruit and veg, and which preservation methods suit particular produce.

A YEAR OF GARDEN-INSPIRED LIVING

by Linda Vater (Cool Springs Press, £22)