Grow your library with a two-book gardening bundle: The Complete Gardener by Lois Wilson (Hawthorn Books) and Garden Flowers by Jacqueline Seymour (Crescent Books). Published in the 1970s—when home horticulture boomed—these guides blend practical advice with rich photos and drawings.
Inside you’ll find planting plans, regional tips, and abundant color plates for quick ID and inspiration. All details below are photo-verified, so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting.
Quick Specs
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Item Type: Two-book hardcover bundle (with dust jackets)
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Size: Each approx. 11 × 8 × 0.5 in (bundle pictured; individual thickness varies)
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Material: Paper / cloth-over-boards with printed dust jackets
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Color: Multicolor jackets; cream/green boards (see photos)
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Origin or Maker: Hawthorn Books, New York (Wilson); Crescent Books, New York (Seymour)
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Year or Era: 1972 (Wilson, per copyright); 1978 (Seymour, per copyright)
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GENRE: Gardening / Horticulture
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Language / Pages: English — Wilson: 400 pages (per jacket); Seymour: 64 pages
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Identifiers: Wilson — ISBN 0-8015-1662-5; LCCN 71-179112. Seymour — LCCN 78-50645; ISBN Not provided.
Edition & Features
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Edition/Printing: Wilson — Revised & enlarged edition of Chatelaine’s Gardening Book (printing not stated); Seymour — 1978 Crescent edition (printing not stated).
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Dust Jacket: Present on both; moderate shelfwear/rubs (see Condition).
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Illustrations/Maps/Plates: Wilson — 115 drawings, 76 color & 12 b/w photos (per jacket); Seymour — full-color photographs throughout.
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Extras: Practical planting plans, at-a-glance plant profiles, regional guidance.
Condition Grade: Good
Notes: Jackets show rubbing, edge wear, and small nicks; Wilson jacket (white) has handling soil/toning; Seymour jacket glossy with light scuffs. Boards clean and square. Text blocks clean with light age-toning; no writing seen. Bindings sound. See all photos for detail—sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key
Near Fine: minimal wear; tight; clean.
Very Good: light wear; clean text; minor flaws.
Good: noticeable wear; sound reading copy; some marks.
Fair: heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.
About the Authors
Lois Wilson wrote widely for home gardeners, revising Chatelaine’s Gardening Book into this expanded American edition. Jacqueline Seymour authored several pictorial garden guides noted for accessible text and vivid photography.
Add this duo to your potting bench—plan smarter, plant happier.
Disclaimer
The vintage items I share with you have been previously owned and loved and may show some wear. Please use the pictures as a guide.
While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Care & Handling: Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings.
Please note: If you have any questions or need more photos, ask.
About Reading Vintage
At Reading Vintage, I curate one-of-a-kind treasures for book lovers, decorators, and collectors—including vintage books, retro bookends, and charming collectible pieces.
