Christmas can be a challenging time for gardeners. Daylight is limited, most plants are hiding underground, wilting poinsettias are everywhere and, all too frequently, naff gifts are picked out at those sprawling garden centre emporiums.
Non-gardeners can’t always be blamed for getting it so wrong: gardening can be a particularly personal hobby, and only the well-versed are to know just how useful a mattock can be. So, let us gardeners share our dream gifts for the green-fingered in your life this year. After all, who would argue with Monty?
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The ultimate watering can
The Warley Fall watering can, £175
haws.co.uk
I would love a traditional Haws watering can in racing green. They’ve been handcrafted in the UK for more than 130 years, and are the ultimate gift. Pollyanna Wilkinson, garden designer and broadcaster, The Ins & Outs podcast
For more essential kit chosen by experts, see our guide to the best gardening tools
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Practical gloves
Gardening gloves, £6
niwaki.com
Give me any gloves that aren’t twee with a floral print, and I’ll be happy. These ones are excellent: light enough to do the job but still protective. And unlike the flowery gloves, it doesn’t matter if the grey ones get dirty. Jo Thompson, designer and writer, The Gardening Mind
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Work jacket
Norfolk work jacket, £130
carriercompany.co.uk
Norfolk-based Carrier Company consistently charms me with its workwear, which blends design and functionality. The ticking jacket is a wardrobe hero. Hazel Gardiner, botanical designer, writer and broadcaster
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Gardening knife
Higonokami folding knife, £36
niwaki.com
A quality gardening knife is an indispensable part of my kit for harvesting. Making sharp cuts is crucial to avoid tears and the introduction of disease. Claire Ratinon, organic food grower and writer
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Terrariums
Terrariums voucher, from £10
londonterrariums.com
During the winter months when we spend less time in the garden, having a self-contained and sustained ecosystem indoors tops up our connection with nature. And what’s more fun than building one yourself? This voucher can be put towards a ready-made terrarium, workshop or plant. Gynelle Leon, houseplant expert and owner of Prick, a cactus shop in London
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Support a garden
Great Dixter annual friend membership, from £72
greatdixter.co.uk
Serge Hill Project annual friend membership, from £40
sergehillprojectcic.com
At their best, gardens are communities – and one of the best presents you can give is an introduction. I’ve been a Friend of Great Dixter, and it makes you feel part of something extremely precious and magical. Or you can become a friend at our charitable project in Serge Hill, for events, tours and more. Tom Stuart-Smith, landscape architect and garden designer
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The best secateurs
Kurumi secateurs, £169
niwaki.com
Expensive, but a joy to use and worth every penny. Monty Don, gardener, broadcaster and writer
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Japanese pruning saw
Folding saw, £39
£39 at niwaki.com
Japanese saws (like Japanese ladders) have revolutionised pruning. They are razor sharp, cut on the pull, and are indispensable. Monty Don
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A tool holster
Leather double holster, £48
niwaki.com
A holster means that both the saw and secateurs are ready for use every moment you are outside. Result: pure horticultural joy! Monty Don
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Great gardening boots
Brown and olive boots, £170
blundstone.co.uk
These boots are lightweight and versatile, great for gardening. There is a steel-toe version for super-heavy work, or colour-themed boots you can wear to the RHS Chelsea flower show. Tom Massey, designer and author of The Resilient Gardener
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Simple essentials
Colourful jute twine, £4.45
nutscene.com
Felco secateurs, from £34.95
worldoffelco.co.uk
Gardener’s pencils, £3.95
tinkerandfix.co.uk
Get those floral trowels and elaborately dowdy smocks away from me. I just want a guinea pig, trained to poo on command, fitted with panniers containing Nutscene twine, Felco secateurs and graphite pencils, thanks. Charlotte Mendelson, garden writer and author of Wife, her latest novel
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Bulb planting tool
Bulb planting auger, from £6.99
crocus.co.uk
My top planting design tip is to plant more bulbs. These augers make it easier, and are also useful for planting 9cm pot plants or in narrow-but-deep containers. Ula Maria, Best in Show Winner, RHS Chelsea 2024
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Micro shovel
Micro round shovel, £10.51
toolstation.com
This is my go-to tool. The power of a full shovel, but with less stress on the body. And it’s perfect when you’re planting in restricted spaces. Flo Headlam, designer and Garden Rescue host
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Colourful flowers
Zinnia seeds, £1.95
chilternseeds.co.uk
I’d love a few packets of zinnia seeds to bring hope, colour, fun and exuberance for the following year. Troy Scott Smith, gardener and writer
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Botanical candles
Beeswax candles, £40 for 4
waxatelier.com
These products embody the garden: each item is crafted using botanical dyes and fragrances from laurel to goldenrod, and the results are beautiful. PS the Horniman Museum is selling hand-dried bouquets from their prairie fields this Christmas. Errol Reuben Fernandes, head of horticulture at the Horniman Museum and Gardens
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Horticultural book
Piet Oudolf At Work, £59.95
phaidon.com
A rare horticultural coffee table book with use. This collection of the Dutch garden designer’s drawings showcases unusual plants and how to place them.
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Stocking filler seeds
Alma | Proust seeds, from £2.90
milliproust.com
This is the perfect stocking filler: beautifully illustrated packets of impeccably curated cut flower varieties, grown and packed in Sussex. Choose sweet peas for Boxing Day sowing.
