While the weather where you are might not quite be conducive to gardening just yet, any time is a good time to check out a good book!
Since 1997, the American Horticultural Society (AHS) has been honoring outstanding garden-related books published in North America through the annual AHS Book Awards. The judging criteria – including writing style, authority, scientific precision, design and illustrations – are meticulously evaluated by a distinguished panel of garden communicators.
This year, three winners were selected for the 2025 AHS Book Awards.
Suzanne Laporte, president and CEO of AHS, said, “We are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional talent and dedication of the authors and publishers behind this year’s AHS Book Awards winners. These outstanding books not only showcase the beauty and complexity of horticulture but also inspire gardeners across North America to explore new ideas and techniques.”
The 2025 AHS Book Awards recipients are:
- “Plants for the Winter Garden” by Warren Leach (Timber Press)
Scott Aker appreciates how the book is organized by the different attributes the plants provide in the winter landscape. “That to me makes it helpful if you’re looking for, say, a focal point accent or a fastigiate plant,” he said. “I think for the average gardener, that makes it very easy to use.”
Georgia Silvera Seamans said, “Winter is often an overlooked season in the landscape, so it was really exciting to read a book that has put so much thought into how beautiful the outside can look in the winter.”
Brian Thompson was among several committee members who felt that the book had relevance for gardeners in many regions of the country. “I liked the balance between text and illustrations,” he added.
- “The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation” by Lindsay Sisti (Cool Springs Press)
Impressed by the attention to detail, committee members lauded this book’s organization, accessible yet authoritative writing style and top-notch images. “It’s cool that this book is both instructional and inspirational” said Viveka Neveln. “It really makes you want to try some of this stuff. And, I will say, it is laugh-out-loud funny in some parts.”
Lucy Mercer agreed, noting that “the author’s voice is so fresh and so funny, it really just keeps you going.” She also praised the design and layout, especially the “beautiful, crisp images.”
Christine Froelich said, “I was won over by the organization of it and the way the author ties everything together. I thought I knew a lot about houseplants until I started reading this book.”
“The care that she took with illustrating each step was amazing to me. I’ve been at this [gardening] way too long, yet I learned things from this book,” said Aker.
- “The Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region” by Rick Gray & Shaun Booth (Firefly)
Committee members praised the book’s format and content, calling it a strong model for other regional garden guides. “I know it’s a regional book, but there was so much to appreciate,” said Froelich. “The user-friendly organization and practical advice stood out, especially the details on which wildlife each plant attracts.”
Thompson was impressed by the depth of plant information and found the appendices particularly useful. “There’s a lot of great information packed in there,” he noted.
Silvera Seamans highlighted the images, saying they provide a clear view of plant parts – flowers, seeds and foliage. She also emphasized the importance of regional guides, encouraging more authors to focus on native plants in specific areas.
The Book Awards Committee also recognized one honorable mention, “The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth” by Zoë Schlanger and published by Harper.
AHS’s 2025 Book Award Committee was chaired by Viveka Neveln, garden editor for BHG.com in Des Moines, Iowa. Other committee members are Scott Aker, a garden communicator and director of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens in Wyoming; Christine Froelich, a horticulturist, landscape designer and consultant in the Rochester, NY, area ; Jim Long, a garden book author and nursery owner from Blue Eye, MO; Lucy Mercer, a garden writer and blogger in Atlanta, GA; Georgia Silvera Seamans, a writer, podcaster and adjunct professor of environmental studies at New York University; and Brian Thompson, a horticultural librarian at the University of Washington in Seattle.
For more information on this year’s and previous recipients, please visit the 2025 AHS Book Awards website page.
