A Treasure Chest of Gardening Wisdom, for You or Those on Your Gift List

· "The New Encyclopedia of Orchids: 1500 Species in Cultivation," by Isobyl la Croix (Timber Press, 2008), is the most definitive and well-researched textbook about orchids in more than 40 years. It offers 998 color photographs and descriptions of more than 1,500 species. A botanist, author and orchid researcher, la Croix writes about orchids that grow in soil, on trees, in bark mulch and in wetlands, just about all over the world. The showiest orchids are generally found in warmer climates or grown indoors for much of the season. This 524-page hardcover reference will help you identify and appreciate all your favorites. Cost: $59.95.

· "Fruit: Edible, Inedible, Incredible," by Wolfgang Stuppy and Rob Kesseler (Firefly Books, 2008), is clearly an art book. The images are arresting and the stories fascinating. Records on figs date, we learn, back about 11,500 years. This 264-page hardcover reveals that the fig might be the first fruit domesticated during the Neolithic Revolution, about 1,000 years before barley and wheat. Cost: $60.

· "Extraordinary Leaves," photographed by Stephen Green-Armytage with text by Dennis Schrader (Firefly Books, 2008), will encourage you to examine the leaves on your own plants as they emerge next season. If you closely look at Green-Armytage's photography, you will notice the venation, shapeliness, fine textures and hues of the foliage. Foliage color, size and texture often change as leaves age. This 272-page book has 225 color images and interpretive text. We learn that poinsettias were used by Aztecs as a dye. Also, the holly genus is composed of almost a thousand species. Cost: $45.

· "The Grape Grower," by Lon Rombough (Chelsea Green Publishing, 2002), teaches homeowners and professionals how to grow big bunches of grapes from start to finish. The book, which won the 2003 award for Best Talent in Writing from the Garden Writers Association, remains a definitive text. Since grapes are pruned during their dormancy, the book has relevance during this season. The author, a grape grower for 40 years, describes how to plant, prune, propagate, control pests, grow organically, choose varieties for cold weather and warm and select grapes for making wines, juices and eating. Cost: $35.

An excellent complement to this book is a two-DVD set released in 2008 on the proper pruning and training of grapevines. The DVD is available from Rombough by calling 503-678-1410 or e-mailing lonrom@bunchgrapes.com(http://www.bunchgrapes.com). Cost: $28.50.

Joel M. Lerner is president of Environmental Design in Capitol View Park, Md. E-mail or contact him through his Web site, http://www.gardenlerner.com.