Best Christmas gifts for gardeners
The leaves are dropping from the trees and the days are getting shorter, which means the search for Christmas presents has arrived once again. If you're thinking about buying a present for a green-fingered friend then look no further: we've simplified the gargantuan task for you by scouring the shops ourselves.
We have rounded up a selection of Christmas gifts they are bound to love just as much as their prize patch, with ideas for both the keen and the casual gardener in your life.
From practical solutions, like tools and potting tables, to lanterns and cacoons that help gardeners enjoy the fruits of their labour, here is our guide.
Old garden hand tools
Made from the handles of old tools, these dibbers, forks, trowels and weeders are the ideal long-lasting addition to any gardener's arsenal.
From £12.50, re-foundobjects.com
Aluminium and glass lidded cloche
This rust-resistant frame provides effective protection against pests and frost, as well as creating warm and humid 'greenhouse' conditions to stimulate growth. The lid can be removed or rotated for watering and ventilation.
Wooden garden potting table
With a lower shelf and a removable plastic potting tray, this green potting table is a must-have for a removable plastic potting tray any budding gardener. It's ideal for gardeners not keen on stooping for long periods.
Leaf green cacoon
This combined hanging chair, hammock and tent is made from fabric developed by the marine and camping industries, making it durable and safe, as well as lightweight. Hang it from a tree in the garden to oversee your flowers grow.
Petersham Nurseries tomato gift box
Want to grow Principe Borghese, Roma, Pantano, San Marzano, Costoluto Genevose and Cuor di Bue? This box of Italian Heirloom tomato seeds is the way to go.
Vambrace glove extensions
These British-made leather arm protectors shield your skin and clothing from brambles and thorns while you're digging and planting.
Shadylace parasol
This grey parasol has cut-out lace detailing that will leave foliage-shaped shadows on your lawn in the sunshine, while still protecting you from the rays.
Hanging Brass Sky Lantern
Hanging lanterns are ideal for giving a twinkly glow to evening meals out in the garden. These ones come in two sizes and can hung along paths and above courtyards.
Large butterflies tote bag
Adorned with images butterflies from the Natural History Museum picture library with their Latin names, this simple tote bag is perfect for transporting utensils or for your weekly shop.
Album Benary print
Want to brighten up the wall of your kitchen or potting shed? This print, with images of melons from varieties taken from the Album Benary, is a 19th century nod to your favourite hobby.
Gardeners Hand Therapy
After all that digging, this top-selling cream from Crabtree and Evelyn is made of rich shea butter and fragranced with clover, lavender, sage rosemary and thyme. There's a hand scrub and hand wash available too if you want to complete the set.
Summer Parasols
Garden parasols in block prints, antique textiles, richly coloured taffetas with sari borders, tassels, pom poms and silver top pieces from Indian temples.
From £299, eastlondon parasols.com
Waterproof picnic blanket
Shake out this recycled wool blanket when playing and picnicking on the lawn. With detachable handle.
£32, english-heritageshop.org.uk
Cast iron disc brazier
This simple design will hold a good sized fire, perfect for cool summer evenings.
National Trust summer house
A rustic retreat, with traditional design features inspired by Trust properties and in a range of colours.
Pikplant jar coffee plant
This Coffea arabica plant would suit a beginner. It lives in an airtight humid biotope so no watering needed.
RHS Tremont boot
If you don't fancy bright pink wellies with spots on, but don't want the usual countryside green either, these wellies are a great compromise. This Passiflora print is inspired by“Moniers Passion Flower” by James Bolton, but there's a beautiful rose print design, and a pea and bean one too.
William Morris Garden Tool Set
This handy tool set is covered in Morris’s Bower wallpaper design from the 1870’s, and comes in a charming gift box. It forms part of a range of patterned garden tools which have been developed in association with the V&A Museum, London.
Plantini Mini Planthouse
How can you fail to like this stunning planthouse kit? The ornate metal structure includes everything you need to grow your own tabletop hot house, including instructions, a planting pot, compost disc and viola seeds.
The Revival iStream 2 1950s style radio
A 1950s-style radio with 21st century smart radio features. Built-in FM/DAB/DAB+, this model also has wireless connectivity, access to Spotify Connect, and a choice of 20,000 internet radio stations and podcasts. You can also stream your music direct from your computer.
The Botanical Wall Chart
Botanical charts are experiencing a resurgence in interest, both as pieces of art and as objects of scientific and historical significance. This collection of wall charts from all over the globe will delight anyone with an interest in botanical illustration, history and the natural world.
Orla Kiely Potting Gloves
Super stylish canvas gloves in Orla Kiely's bright, distinctive design will keep green-fingered hands warm and clean. A perfect stocking filler.
£14.95, homeandgardencentre.co.uk
Felco tool sharpener
Useful diamond-coated sharpening tool for use on shears and secateurs without the need for dismantling.
£22.95; harrodhorticultural.com
Gubbins Tins
Perfect for bundling up gardening bits and bobs, these cheery tins will save gardeners hours of hunting and unravelling. Each set contains nine labelled pots set in a tray. Also available in grey, duck egg blue and raspberry.
Sussex Trug
It may seem pricey but this is definitely not a cheap imitation. Produced in the heart of East London's market district, this Sussex Trug is handcrafted using Chestnut and Willow from sustainable resources and every one is individually signed by the maker.
Perennial Spade
Endorsed by the RHS, this great value spade is ideal for slicing through perennial plants to split and divide. It's also great for hands and knees gardening.
Long Garden Tool Belt Apron
Made from durable olive and tan trim canvas, this smart garden apron and tool belt is built to last. It's great value and has adjustable neck and waist straps and of course various compartments for all those trusty tools.
Okatsune Shears
These sturdy blades from Japan are ideal for anyone keen on topiary. They're great for box clipping, cloud pruning, yew hedges and just about anything else you want to chop. Not to be confused with the rusty old things at the back of the shed.
Terracotta rhubarb forcer
It might have a practical purpose but this also makes a beautiful garden ornament when placed among your vegetable garden. It's detachable lid can be used to 'force' early crops like rhubarb, chicory and asparagus into producing their ready to eat harvest ahead of schedule.
Christmas tree watering device
To save you the trouble of struggling through your tree's needles to water it, WaterTree have designed an easy to use funnel to inserting through foliage and into water reservoir. WaterTree is also available at a few select Garden Centres and Tree Farms in Surrey, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
