Good question and one size may not fit all. I hate to say it but mostly I browse garden books and look longingly at the pictures. I did read both of Henry Mitchell's garden books and enjoyed them immensely although they have no pictures. I didn't try to analyze at the time just why I liked them so much but I believe people like things they can relate to. They want to read a story where they can imagine themselves as the subject doing (nearly) the same things, planting the same plants and reacting the same way. Most people don't try to fit any humor into their garden or their writing but why not? When the masses turn on their TV they don't necessarily want to be educated, they mostly want to be entertained. So writing should strive to bring information in an entertaining fashion. I don't mean falling down laughing throughout the story but to have some lighter moments. Peoples intrests vary but if I attend a symposium or read an article and learn just one thing like, adding lime to a potato plot will cause them to have scab, or, old people do not fall and break their hip, their hip breaks and they fall, then I am satisfied. Maybe not the best examples in the world but you get the picture.

Eddie:
You brought up a most important point: "one size may not fit all." It sure doesn't.
And, yes, garden writing needs a touch of humor. We are too darn serious at times and need to loosen up.

What make 'A Good Gardening Book'??

I would agree with Eddie that one size fits all does not work. I get books from publishers to review and I think they can be split into 3 areas: The general garden design or bits of garden design (walls, seats, x-scaping); The specialists (hostas, herbs, conifers etc); the story telling type - conversational.
Each of these has factors that make them average or good. The first two tend to need sumptuous pictures. How detailed the information is depends on if the book is to attract the expert or the enthusiast hoping to be an expert or the homeowner wanting to improve an area. The storytelling is more difficult to discern as it is more personal in who will like it and who will not. I have read books that are boring texts of what the author put where and why. Others, the author litterally drags you mentally into the garden to 'see' the new plant or design or whatever.

Off course all these books need to have a good basis in gardening experience and horticulture and be technically accurate.
Not sure if this addresses the problem or not but is certainly what I look for. The problem is that I know something about growing - so does what I like translate into what will be a 'good' book and what will sell??? maybe not.

Maybe one answer to this question is to ask another question - "When I want to improve my garden, which book (or books) from our collection do I refer to first?"

The two kinds of book that I find most useful are those about design (Katy's first category) of which there are many, and the kind that's a reference book - e.g. The Sunset Western Gardening Book, or our ancient New Illustrated Gardening Encyclopaedia (published somewhere around 1920!).

But what I would like to be able to refer to is a book that specializes in very small evergreen shrubs, or shrublets. I don't recall ever seeing such a book. If somebody ever puts one together, I'll be very much inclined to buy it - the topic itself would probably - for me - make it a 'good' book.

But what if you see no need to "improve" your garden, yet want to have the pleasure to read about gardening?

John - The two seem to be inextricably intertwined - even when I feel that there's no need to improve my garden, when I turn to the pleasure of reading about gardening, the very act of reading usually drives the feeling away.....

May I chip in an opinion? My favorite type of gardening book is generally the "story telling" type (or memoir). I agree that humor is important, but I also like to read an author's opinion. I recall Mitchell writing about his enjoyment of "common ivy" and irises. He is entertaining, but he also writes what he feels about plants/gardening, the reader is left to make his own choice.

Then, there are writers like Agnes Rothery. Her book The Joyful Gardener is full of interesting things, but the humor (what there is of it) is very staid and the opinions are overly polite. Nice, but somewhat yawn producing.

As a reader, I want to be entertained and informed. I would much rather read an opinion I don't like (and my opinions change) than bland pap. I like marigolds. How many authors have I read who denounce them as hideous and common? I enjoy Stein's Noah's Garden, but I've thrown the book across the room on more than one occasion because my opinions on natives differ.

I can't make it through most "how to" books because I find them boring. But a great deal of useful information can be gleaned from gardening stories. Also, I view gardening stories as windows to other "worlds". Thank goodness we don't all see things the same way! I want to know how other people see their gardens and what they think about plants (in general and specifically). I want to know where and how the author gardens and what triumphs and mistakes have been made.

Hmmm...this is overly long...

Herb and Slub:
You sound like the perfect readers -- the sort writers are hoping to attract.

As an avid reader of garden books -- I love personal stories, and humor is essential! I do like illustrations or photos and I prefer regional or colloquial names (at least in the body of the story -- a sidebar or index is acceptable) -- not the scientific ones! History of any plant, garden plan or item or superstition is a bonus! Recipes can be one of the keys to understanding plants and their people too!

John,
Your main forte in life is cooking. Have you read Pat Conroy's new cookbook titled THE PAT CONROY COOKBOOK? This is the type of gardening book I have a hunch you are trying to write. Pat has written a good personal 'biographical read' that is interesting and leaves the reader waiting for #2. Everyone...put this on your must read list.

I like books that show observation--this is one reason that Mitchell is so great, and a reason why I always turn to Christopher Lloyd as well. A reader can tell that these folks have looked, pondered and manipulated, and then looked again.

I'm not a garden writer, but a wild-tree guy masquerading as one in order to pick all your brains. In a tree book I am concerned about the author's experience, the author's intimate knowledge of the species based on whether he/she presents new insights, interpretations, or facts not mentioned in earlier works; and whether there is repetition of old chestnuts (sorry) that have been passed on from one book to another over the years, yet have no truth or validity. These are all credibility criteria. Then I read for content, style, and the feeling that I'm learning and enjoying it.

Nandina:
Thanks. I'll look for it.

John,
Glad to hear that you will seek out the Conroy book. I failed to say that even those who cannot boil water will enjoy it. The sub-title of his book is "Recipes of My Life". One could possibly call it a 'man's book'. Just the section on taking cooking lessons from Nathalie Dupree is worth the read.

I like Nathalie. She's great!

Try Russell Page's Education of a Gardener. It is absolutely the best book about gardening and garden design. I go back to it over and over again. He did alot of gardens for very rich people but the principles apply to the tiniest plot. I think it may be out of print now but ABE books or even Ebay might have it.

Nandina, Thanks for the heads up on Pat Conroy's cookbook. I had no idea he'd written THE PAT CONROY COOKBOOK but I'll stop after work and pick one up. Conroy is the best American writer I've read. His books should be used/enjoyed in every educational institution where students breathe.

I have different books for different gardening needs, also different moods. Although I admit that a 12 step garden book program might loom in the future, I keep filling the shelves. My favorites are "inspirational" picture books (The Tropical Garden), basic encyclopedic (Southern Living Garden Book), Specialty encyclopedic (Exotica 3, lovingly placed in its own wooden stand), specialty (Garden Bulbs for the South), how-to (Garden Stone or Pruning Handbook)and always the more personal writings (A Southern Garden- Elizabeth Lawrence)

And, of course the favorite to read at in bed 2 in the morning- the Plant Delights catalog

John, somthing along the lines of "Passion Fruit" comes to mind. I found this little gem at a 7-11 behind a copy of "Gentleman's Weekly". It was full of gorgeous garden photos, unfortunately they were all badly out of focus and it was hard to get my eyes past the scantily clad nymphettes holding a variety of garden produce. The world needs more books like that.

What i particularly liked about this magazine was the emphasis on the art of the vegitable. I'll never look at a wet tomato the same.

I never would have imagined that there was so much i didn't know about gardening. For example, did you know that if you light a daylilly bloom correctly it becomes translucent and barely hides anything?

Yes, this was one of those books that changed our lives. We used to throw zucchini away. Now my wife wants me to let them grow, "...just a little bit more..." she says with a hint of smile.

Poppa

Here's a few of my favorites:

Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden -- as told to William Baldwin

The Sweet Life -- REflections on Home and Garden -- Laura Stoddart

Merry Hall
Laughter on the Stairs
Sunlight on the Lawn
Garden Open Today
Garden Open Tomorrow

All above by Beverly Nichols -- all published by Timber Press

Brother Cadfael's Herb Garden -- Rob Talbot & Robin Whiteman

Penelope Hobhouse's Gardens Through the Ages == published by Barnes & Noble

Just to name a few!

Probably too "precious" for most -- but I really enjoy them -- and re-read them often!

Tea
As a fellow enthusiast of historic topics and owner of one or two of your post. One i truly enjoy is :
Some Ancient Gentlemen: Being an Examination of Certain People, Plants and Gardens. By Tyler Whittle circa 1965 sadly out of print but sometimes available.

It always makes me sad to see these lists of ENGLISH garden books. We have had so many great garden writers here in this country, past and present, and much more relevant to our own lives and gardens. I am running out the door right now but, like the Terminator,...I'll Be Back...and next time, with some suggestions.

PS--Katy, I have Some Ancient Gentlemen. Interesting read and easy to find at bookfinder.com. With the internet, there are very few garden books that are hard to find anymore.

In great garden writing I look for the impossible, that is a convergence of: common sense; good over all subject knowledge; intiguing ideas well presented; practical tips; insight into, not only gardening, but the human condition as well. Wit and compassion win extra points.

And I actually found a book that qualified this summer -- Joe Eck's "Elements of Garden Design." My only complaint is that it was too short.

Springcherry