If your area of the country has at all been hit by unusual weather changes in recent years, then you'll want to consult this invaluable book on preserving water for your plants. In Waterwise Gardening (Rizzoli International Publications, Inc, 2025) author Richard Restuccia offers suggestions for plants that will do well in any part of the USA.
As he notes in the introduction to the book, commercial agriculture is taking most of our water, but individuals can preserve the rest for use in home gardens. As Retuccia puts it, "By making conscious choices and implementing water-saving measures in our gardens, lawns, and outdoor spaces, we contribute directly to the larger effort of preserving a precious resource."
He'll take you through all of the facts about a plant's water requirements and how to efficiently use them. Best of all, there's a list of water-wise plants for Northern and Southern California; the Pacific Northeast and the Desert Southwest; the Rockies; Texas; and the Southeast and Northeast. Each entry includes a photo of the plant, it's common and scientific names, and a chart of its water requirements. There are also tips on irrigatio systems, and how to determine if you're under- or over-watering. In short, it's a book you need now or that you will need in the future.
This book from British author David Domoney profiles 75 plants with what he calls "superpowers," -- from plants that cool towns and cities to plants that fight erosion and bad air quality, to plants used for food, medicine, and in modern garden design.
In Plants with Superpowers (Frances Lincoln, 2025), Domoney's entries include a photo of each plant, along with a description of each, appearance and uses, growing tips and interesting facts. You'll find snowdrops with an anti-freeze superpower; gas plant, spontaneous combustion; scots pine, weather predictor; peace lily, air purifier, and many many more surprising plants and characteristics. A fun read for any gardener you know.