Non-Fiction Special: Inspiring Books on Plants
Spring is here, and plants are transforming and renewing. The beauty of plants is highlighted in the many gorgeous books on botanical illustration. Our very own Audrey Eagle has produced some fabulous books on New Zealand native plants. Other gems in our collections include: The Art of Botanical Painting by Margaret Stevens; Plant: Exploring the Botanical World by Victoria Clarke; Botanical Prints by Eve Robson; and New Zealand Botanical Paintings by Norman Harvey. Pollen: The Hidden Sexuality of Flowers by Rob Kesseler is an example of the combination of science and art in a stunning book. If you are interested in the history of plant discoveries: Seeds of Adventure: In Search of Plants by Peter Cox; The Pressed Plant: The Art of Botanical Specimens, Nature Prints and Sun Prints by Andrea DiNoto; and Botanical Riches: Stories of Botanical Exploration by Richard Aitken. Did you know that Beatrix Potter was a mycologist who made detailed drawings of fungi? See some of her illustrations in Wayside and Woodland Fungi. The mystique and wonder of plants is celebrated in some interesting titles: The Cabaret of Plants: Botany and the Imagination by Richard Mabey; Flora Mirabilis: How Plants Have Shaped World Knowledge, Health, Wealth and Beauty by Catherine Howell; Fortress Plant: How To Survive When Everything Wants To Eat You by Dale Walters; Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the World of Plants by Jane Goodall; Plant Love: The Scandalous Truth about the Sex Life of Plants by Michael Allaby; The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate: Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben. When your thoughts turn to gardening, check out some library books for inspiration. 100 Best Native Plants for New Zealand Gardens by Fiona Eadie; Dandelion and Quince: Exploring the Wide World of Unusual Vegetables, Fruits and Herbs by Michelle McKenzie; The Bee-Friendly Garden: Design an Abundant Flower-Filled Yard that Nurtures Bees and Supports Biodiversity by Kate Frey.