Cottage gardeners are wonderful to buy for, because they are happy with small, useful, slightly old-fashioned things. If you are looking for gifts for cottage gardeners in the UK this Christmas, this guide gathers ideas from a few pounds to about £60, with a reason for each so you can choose with confidence. Order in November and everything will arrive in time to be wrapped properly.
My two own gifts for garden lovers
I start with two things I made myself, because they are written for exactly this kind of gardener.
The Cottage Garden Notebook. A 120-page undated garden journal for sowing dates, planting plans, what flowered when and what to change next year. It comes as a hardback (5.5 × 8.5 in) and an A5 paperback. View it on Amazon UK. If you want to see how I use a journal, read keeping a cottage garden journal.
The Wildflower Coloring Book. Botanical wildflower illustrations to colour in on winter evenings when the garden is asleep. View it on Amazon UK.
Nine more gift ideas for cottage gardeners
Prices are approximate and change, so check before you order. These are plain links to search results, not affiliate links, so I earn nothing from them.
1. Scented sweet pea seeds (£3–£8)
Nothing says cottage garden like sweet peas. A packet of a scented, named variety from a British seed house is cheap, pretty to wrap, and gives months of anticipation. Browse sweet pea seeds.
2. A good pair of secateurs (£15–£40)
A bypass pair with a comfortable grip is the tool that gets used most in a garden of roses, lavender and shrubs. Choose a known British maker and avoid very cheap anvil styles that crush stems. Browse secateurs.
3. Gardening gloves that really fit (£10–£20)
Thin leather or coated gloves in a proper fit are the present many gardeners wish they had. Check the size first. Browse gardening gloves.
4. A bulb planter (£12–£20)
Perfect for a November gift: daffodils and tulips still go in now. A long-handled planter saves knees and time. Browse bulb planters.
5. A hardwood-handled trowel and fork set (£18–£35)
The “I know you have a trowel, but this one is lovely” present. Stainless steel heads and ash or beech handles last for decades. Browse trowel sets.
6. Copper plant labels and jute twine (£6–£12)
Small, pretty and used all season. Gather them in a trug with a packet of seeds. Browse plant labels.
7. A galvanised watering can (£25–£60)
A classic can with a fine rose is what a cottage gardener reaches for every day in summer. My guide to choosing a watering can that lasts explains what to look for. Browse watering cans.
8. Terracotta pots in a mixed set (£15–£40)
Frost-proof, handmade-looking pots are always welcome. Pair them with a note about my terracotta winter care tips. Browse terracotta pots.
9. A cottage garden book (£10–£25)
Garden memoirs and gentle classics make lovely gifts. See my list of six cottage reads for ideas.
How to wrap a gardener’s present
Skip the paper. Put two or three small things into a trug, a terracotta pot or a basket, tie it with jute and add a packet of seeds on top. A pot, a pair of gloves, a notebook and a packet of sweet peas looks far more generous than it cost, and the container gets reused.
Gifts for gardeners on a smaller budget
If you want more ideas under £25, look out for my next guides on gifts under £25 and stocking fillers for gardeners. Happy shopping, and happy gardening.
