Each year, the American Horticultural Society recognizes outstanding gardening books published in North America with its annual Book Award. Nominated books are judged by the AHS Book Award Committee on qualities such as writing style, authority, accuracy, and physical quality. This year two award winners, listed below, were selected from more than 40 nominated books published or released in 2025.
Pansies
by Brenna Estrada (Timber Press)
Several award committee members expressed surprise and delight by the ways in which this book elevates an ornamental plant often considered common and unassuming. Carol Michael shared that the publication turns pansies into a connoisseur’s flower, and Georgia Silvera Seamans praised the book’s photography and layout design, as well as its pride in making a niche topic exciting to broader audiences. Brian Thompson and Viveka Neveln applauded Pansies’ originality and fresh take, noting that there is no other book like this on the market.
Hidden World: The Survival Systems of Plants
by Kevin Tarner and Rachel Hughes (University of Georgia Press)
This original and academic publication on plant defenses and plant-human interactions impressed the award committee. Georgia Silvera Seamans praised the work’s sophistication, calling it a book for gardening people. Jim Long shared that while he learned a great deal by reading this book, he felt that it was accessible and addressed all experience levels. Brian Thompson also noted that the book is so enticing, it could captivate not only gardeners but all people who are interested in plants.
Designing the Lush Dry Garden from The Ruth Bancroft Garden
by Cricket Riley, Alice Kitajima, and Kier Holmes, Photography by Caitlin Atkinson (Timber Press)
Gardens of Texas by Pam Penick (Timber Press)
Christine Froelich, Horticulturist, landscape designer, and consultant, New York
Jim Long, Garden book author and nursery owner, Missouri
Carol Michael, Garden book author and podcaster, Indiana
Viveka Neveln, Garden editor at BHG.com in Des Moines, Iowa
Georgia Silvera Seamans, Writer, podcaster, and adjunct professor of environmental studies at New York University, New York
Brian Thompson, Horticultural librarian at the University of Washington
