That time of the year has come again when gifts for the gardener seem to be the post of the month. We’re overwhelmed with choice and a myriad of choices upon choices. Everything from stainless steel gardening tools to garden ornaments, plant holders to power tools, it is all available and all very enticing.

But really? Is this what gardeners want or is it what gardener retailers want to sell us?

While I enjoy receiving gifts as much as anyone there has been the odd doozy that’s forced a grimaced “thank you” while contemplating who to regift it to. Some presents just aren’t appropriate because our gardens are an expression of ourselves. It would be the same as asking Da Vinci if you could just add a splash of colour to the Mona Lisa.

So, here’s a list of things not to get me when you’re doing your Christmas shopping…

  • Don’t buy me rose bushes – I can appreciate them, enjoy them, love them and even desire them…in someone else’s garden. While I have nothing against them, and even have a few in my yard, I’m not looking to add anymore blooming in the garden.

  • Don’t buy me cheap gardening tools – especially if you expect me to still have them next time you visit. If I want cheap gardening tools I can always afford them myself.

  • Don’t buy me discount bulbs – chances are they’re discounted for a reason, and if they are actually good then I’ve probably already bought the ones I like.

  • Don’t buy me trendy plants – lucky bamboo, Crazy succulents and other fashionable plants are for people who don’t like gardening but feel the need to connect with nature in some small way. I’m not one of those people.

  • Don’t buy me garden ornaments – oh, please, please refrain from buying garden ornaments. Unless you can unequivocally attest that the gardener in question wants THAT gardening ornament, take a step back from the counter, please. I’ve had so many tacky garden ornaments over the years that it’s getting harder to feign approval.

  • Don’t buy me books on “Outdoor Rooms” – they’re not gardening books just because they have a smattering of plants throughout the over-architectured landscapes.

Alright, now that I’ve got that off my chest, what are some of the things that as a gardener I would truly love for Christmas?

  • Gardening books – about gardening, plants, methods, design tips… yada yada. Love them though it’s probably getting harder to find ones that I don’t have.

  • A voucher to spend at my favourite nursery – this present says “I understand your gardening OCD issues” like no other. You get me, and I sooooo appreciate that.

  • Plants that I’ve been drooling over for months – you’ve obviously been listening…

  • Gardening tools that don’t have GMC or BudgetBrand stamped all over them

  • An annual subscription to my favourite gardening mags

  • A paid subscription to a gardening course in an area that I’d love to further my knowledge or skills

  • A signed card by every gardener who has a blog on Blotanical – that just says you’re prepared to go above and beyond

But that’s me. You may have appreciated some of the things that I didn’t and couldn’t care for the items I do desire. That’s okay – that’s why we’re different. Let us know your wishes below – I promise to pass them on to Santa before the big day…