6 gardening books to dig into this spring

Whether you want to take your garden to the extreme, learn about unusual plants, dig into Long Island’s horticultural past or get the kids excited, you’ll find much to love in this season’s new crop of gardening books.

PLANTING FIELDS: A PLACE ON LONG ISLAND, edited by Gina J. Wouters and Jerome E. Singerman, with essays by Witold Rybczynski, John Dixon Hunt, Arleyn A. Levee, Jennifer L. Anderson and Patricia O’Donnell, and photographs by David Almeida; available May 21 ($59.95/Monacelli)

If you’ve been to Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay, you’ll revel in the essays recounting the creation and evolution of the 400-acre property and its Tudor-revival mansion known as Coe Hall. And if you haven’t, you’ll likely want to add a visit to your bucket list.

PLANTS WITH SUPERPOWERS, by David Domoney ($24/Frances Lincoln)

From a plant that can survive an atomic bomb and another that can charge your cellphone to one that can be used to counter chemical warfare, each of the 75 botanical curiosities featured in this fascinating book has its own two-page, encyclopedic-style spread. You’ll learn about each plant’s appearance, usage, growing tips and interesting facts, including how its “superpower” works, from the English celebrity gardener and co-host of the UK’s Love Your Garden TV show.

SUPERPOWERED PLANTS: MEET THE SMARTEST, STRONGEST, AND SNEAKIEST PLANTS, by Soledad Romero Mariño, with illustrations by Sonia Pulido ($19.95/Phaidon)

Aimed at budding garden enthusiasts aged 6-10, this fun-fact-filled collection of 22 plants from around the world reads like a book of botanical world records. Tarot card-style illustrations accompany fact sheets highlighting each plant’s “abilities” — from mimicry to poisons — and how they are used in the natural world. It’s a light, entertaining read for adults, too.

GARDEN TO THE MAX: JOYFUL, VISIONARY, MAXIMALIST DESIGN, by Teresa Woodard, with photography by Bob Stelko ($40/Timber Press)

Flipping through the pages of this beautifully designed book reveals a riot of color that fully supports its title — even the table of contents is printed on a neon-yellow background. The compendium of 20 big, bright, bold gardens from across the United States — and profiles of their creators — provides a wealth of inspiration to gardeners who believe that more is more.

THE FLOWER FARMERS: INSPIRATION AND ADVICE FROM EXPERT GROWERS, by Debra Prinzing and Robin Avni; available May 6 ($35/Abrams)

If you’ve ever dreamed of growing your own cutting garden, this book will point you in the right direction. And if you just want to flip through some beautiful photos of blossom-filled aspirational spaces and learn about the social-media famous farmers who planted them, there’s plenty for you here, too. Each of the 29 celebrity flower farmers featured shares their story, favorite cultivars and best practices.

HOW CAN I HELP? SAVING NATURE WITH YOUR YARD, by Douglas W. Tallamy (Timber Press/$39)

Tallamy, entomologist, bestselling author and arguably the father of the native plants movement, answers 499 of the questions he’s been asked most frequently over the past 20 years.

Chapters are organized by topic, including Ecology and Evolution, Biodiversity, Native and Non-Native Plants, Oaks, Invasive Species, Pest Control, Conservation and Restoration, Home Landscapes and Supporting Wildlife at Home.