I’M the first person to hold my hand up and admit to a mild addiction of collecting gardening books.

Pre-mortgage and pre-children I would often buy new and second-hand copies on a regular basis but I have since reined in my behaviour to a more controlled state.

I’m always suggesting to fellow gardeners books that might help them in their quest for inspiration or technical expertise.

The internet has revolutionised how we source our information but I always come back to books. A book can’t and won’t distract me in the same way the internet so readily can.

There are thousands of gardening books but I thought I’d pick four of my personal favourites and maybe for the gardener in your life this Christmas they would make a great present.

1 The Garden Source: Inspirational Design Ideas for Gardens and Landscapes by Andrea Jones (£29.95) This is a rich collection of ideas with stunning images that I use regularly myself when looking for inspiration from planting through to the hard landscaping. This book stands out form the crowd.

2. The New Perennial Garden by Noel Kingsbury This book is no longer in print but is widely available form online booksellers.

This had a massive impact on how I look and think about plants and was formative in the wave known as the ‘new perennial movement’ An inspiring read.

3. Beth Chatto’s Shade Garden - Shade Loving Plants for Year-Round Interest (£21.95). I first got hold of this book when I was a student and I still think it’s one of the most inspiring books I’ve read.

I would urge anyone whether you own or aspire to own a shade garden to delve into this wonderful read.

4. The Thoughtful Gardener: An Intelligent Approach to Garden Design by Jinny Blom (£35). It’s rare when a book marries thoughtful and reasoned content that matches the quality of the pictures contained within it. This book does both and is an utter pleasure to be drawn into.

Jobs for the gardener this week:

If you’re moving established trees or shrubs ensure you get a generous rootball and if necessary, stake to provide additional support

When planting new roses into ground that had previously included older rose plants, add mycorhizal fungi around the roots

Remove the dregs of any fallen leaves in and around the garden now the last leaves have been shed and add to the leaf bin or compost heap

Sow sweet peas now into root-trainers, they’ll develop into strong plants come the spring giving a superb display of flowers.

Next week:

Alternative flowers for creating natural Christmas decorations