book ideas needed

A young girl I once lived next door to is about to graduate from high school. As a young child she always came over to my home and both picked and asked many questions about my flowers. She just sent me a graduation announcement and a note mentioning she is still picking the flowers at my former home.

I would like to send her a book about flowers as a gift. Does anyone have any ideas for a book an 18 year old would appreciate? She will be living in a dorm next year and won't be able to do any gardening so a "how to" would not be appropriate.

Any ideas?

You might want to look at a suscription to Garden Gate magazine. It does not carry any advertising and has some of the best articles and pictures. Who knows, it may lead to a landscaping career. I for one entered college without a clue of what I was going to be.

That is a good thought too. Thanks

Garden Gate is a great magazine.

A picture book of cottage gardens, or rose gardens, or formal gardens might spark an interest, get her to take botany or something. I have a nice one by Pippa Greenwood but it's at home and I'm not and I don't recall the title. You might check on Amazon.

Amazon was my suggestion, too. You will find some great garden design books.

are kids into magazines? I think they're more into Ipods and podcasts. I know they're short lived, but how about a bimonthly flower arrangement? Making some assumptions:
1) You know her address for the next 12 months, that way the flowers arrive where she's at
2) budget. I think there is delivery option that is every other month, or even every quarter, that may be comparable to a subscription.

also, you say she "picks" the flowers. It makes me think she likes arrangements. Maybe a book on flower arranging might be more to her liking. Woudn't Garden Gate be too serious for a HS graduate?


This message was edited Jun 6, 2008 5:27 PM

I think I just solved my own problem. I was sitting here and I looked over and my copy of The Wildflowers of SC was on my desk. Well, DUH, it has pretty pictures and it is sort of a generic reference book. She will be going to Clemson which is near the mountains and there are many wildflowers around. I haven't seen this child since 1999 and I know I should probably get her a gift certificate but I want to keep the flower thing going.

The arrangements are a good idea Nery, all girls like getting flowers, but I am afraid I will have to keep that up forever. (I know I wouldn't have to but I suspect I probably would.)

Thanks ya'll

nothing like answering your own questions and solving your own problems, lol

I talk to myself a lot too. LOL

My grandmother sent me a field guide on trees when I graduated high school and I absolutely loved it. Still have it. The field guide is a great idea.

Thanks, that is good to know.

ardesia, if I didn't talk to myself, then NO one would be listening to my sage wisdom!

LOL, I hear 'ya. :-)))