May 15, 2026
Happy news! The American Horticultural Society announced its 2026 Book Award winners, and Gardens of Texas received an honorable mention.
The AHS awards are among the highest honors for garden books in North America. Of the 40-plus nominated books for this year’s awards, only 2 winners were selected, plus 2 honorable mentions. So I’m truly delighted to see Gardens of Texas get a nod among the deserving winners. Thank you to the AHS Book Awards Committee!
I wrote this book to shine a spotlight on Texas gardeners and all the creative, gorgeous, resilient gardening they’re doing in a challenging, changing climate. I wanted to tell their stories, inspire my fellow Texans, and show how we can all learn from their designs, plant choices, and practical approaches. It’s gratifying to see those efforts recognized at a national level.
A huge thank you to photographer Kenny Braun for capturing the gardens so beautifully for the book. A sampling of his stunning work is featured below.
Thanks also to my editors and the whole team at Timber Press for their support in bringing my book idea to life so beautifully.
Gardens of Texas wouldn’t exist without the gardeners and designers who so generously shared their gardens and stories with me, so thank you to each one of them. And finally, a giant thank you to the book’s readers, cheerleaders, booksellers, and event organizers. Your support of the book has meant the world to me.
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Digging Deeper
My new book, Gardens of Texas: Visions of Resilience from the Lone Star State, is here! Find it on Amazon, other online book sellers, and in stores everywhere. It’s for anyone who loves gardens or the natural beauty of Texas. More info here.
All material © 2026 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
