On a recent visit to Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo I found several books to drool over and covet. I thought, since it’s so chilly out lately, you may want to head to Liberty Bay or your own favorite bookstore to check out these offerings. Some are pricey but others you might just want to buy now and take home to savor for hours and hours.

“Ornamental Foliage Plants” by Denise Greig has 2,500 plants featured within its gorgeously illustrated pages. Some of the plants will not grow here in our climate, but their structure and texture will give you lots of ideas for your own gardens. It’s published by Firefly Books ISBN 1554070171 at $45 retail.

Alexander Marshall was a renowned horticulturist and entomologist who lived from 1620-1682. A reprint of his art in a compact hardback “Mrs. Marshall’s Flower Book” is filled to the brim with charmingly appealing color prints of 140 plants. Marshall was a self-taught artist who created these masterpieces over a 30-year period of time. Published by Penguin ISBN 9780670020386 retailing for $26.95. This book is worth every penny. I covet it entirely.

“Trees for All Seasons” subtitled “Broadleaved Evergreens for Temperate Climates” features what it calls “over 300 outstanding trees for color, texture, and year-round foliage.” The titles and subtitles do not disappoint. This book is filled to the brim with ideas FOR foliage and textural plantings for any garden. Since it’s for all temperate climates, keep in mind that quite a few of the trees (i.e. palm and fern trees) will not even begin to survive here. But the book is quite extensive in its information and the photos are most excellent. The author is Sean Hogan ISBN 9780881926743 retailing for $39.95.

Dorling Kindersley (DK) is a renowned publisher of horticulture books. If a book is printed by DK you can be assured it is a well-researched and well-illustrated book. John Seymour’s “The New Self Sufficient Gardener” is a complete guide to planning, growing, storing and preserving your own garden produce. Retailing at $19.95 ISBN 9780756628987, this is a great book for both beginning and seasoned gardeners. The colorful prints of vegetables followed by plenty of complete and helpful tips and information are truly useful and user-friendly.

Last but not least, “The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants” by Susan Gregg, ISBN 1592333648 $21.99 Fairwinds Press, features more than 300 herbs and flowers. Gregg entertains, informs and enlightens readers on the beliefs and uses for varied and various types of herbs and flowers. Here’s a sample: “If you’re having trouble finding forgiveness especially during family arguments, place Chrysanthemum flower heads in your bath to release your anger.”