When I’m not tending to the garden at Fleuris Orchard & Blooms and I could use some rest, I love to slow down with a good board game. There’s something about gathering around a table with friends or my husband (also a gardener who loves playing board games), enjoying a cup of tea, and immersing ourselves in a beautifully designed and well-thought-out game that brings a different kind of joy.
For me, beautifully themed board games are more than just a way to unwind; they hold a special place in my heart. Some of my fondest memories are of playing games with my grandmother, who not only introduced me to the joy of playing games but also planted the seeds of my love for gardening. As a toddler, I would follow her through the garden, watching her hands work the soil, lending my tiny fingers to punch small holes for her to plant seeds in, and feeling a deep pleasure at being allowed to get my hands dirty and being tickled by the textures of the soil and earthworms alike. Those early moments in the garden and around the game table shaped so much of who I am today.
If you’re a fellow nature lover or gardener looking for games that reflect your passion—or if you want to introduce your kids to the natural world from the comfort of your home on a cold or rainy day while waiting for spring—here are a few of my favourites:
1. La Fleur
This gorgeous board game is a must for lovers of flowers and French Rococo design. The attention to detail and the artwork of La Fleur is a real feast! Players take on the role of botanists, creating their dream garden in a Rococo-era château and hosting garden parties. Gathering the right combinations of flowering plants is key to designing the most stunning château garden. It’s a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the beauty of flowers and learn their names.
2. Botany
A game perfect for plant collectors and Victorian-era enthusiasts alike from the same designers as La Fleur! In Botany, you embark on expeditions to discover and collect rare plants, bringing them back to create a world-class botanical garden. It captures the thrill of plant discovery and the joy of curating your own collection as you learn about plants and flowers.
3. Photosynthesis
If you’ve ever been captivated by the way trees grow and compete for sunlight, Photosynthesis is a beautifully strategic game that brings this process to life and introduces the patience required for seasons to unfold. Players plant seeds, grow trees, and use the sun’s rotation to their advantage. It’s not only visually stunning but also a deeply satisfying game of planning and patience—much like gardening itself!
4. Meadow
Meadow is a nature-lover’s dream, featuring stunning illustrations of flora and fauna. As you explore different landscapes, you collect species, discover new plants, and build a tableau of nature’s wonders. It’s a peaceful, thoughtful game that feels like a walk through the wild countryside.
5. Cottage Garden
A simple Tetris-like game that speaks directly to my heart! Cottage Garden lets you design your own little garden plots helped by cats and plant pots, balancing flowers and garden tools to create cute little gardens. It’s relaxing, cozy, and full of charm—perfect for a quiet evening at home.
6. Reforest
A very small game with a big purpose, Reforest lets players rebuild ecosystems from the Pacific Northwest Coast by strategically planting plants and trees in the appropriate environments. It’s a light yet meaningful game that highlights the importance of biodiversity and conservation, making it a great pick for nature lovers who also enjoy a bit of environmental advocacy in their gaming.
7. Arboretum
I had the chance to borrow this game a little while ago, so I don’t have a photo to share, but it’s a beautifully designed card game worth mentioning. Arboretum invites players to create pathways of trees by carefully selecting and arranging cards. While it looks serene, the game involves strategy as players must balance which trees to plant, which to keep in their hands for scoring, and which to discard. It captures the careful planning required in gardening while also reflecting the natural beauty of trees.
I haven’t had the chance to play the following games yet, but they seem promising, and I look forward to trying them:
8. Floriferous
This beautifully illustrated game is all about strolling through a peaceful garden, collecting flowers, and arranging them strategically. Floriferous looks perfect for a relaxed yet engaging game night.
9. Tussie Mussie
Tussie Mussie is a charming little card game inspired by the Victorian language of flowers, where players pass and select blooms with hidden meanings to craft bouquets that tell a story. It looks like a delightful, quick game with surprising depth.
10. A Gentle Rain
This simple meditative solitaire or cooperative puzzle-like game features tranquil rain and floating flowers. The goal of A Gentle Rain is to match flower colours around a pond. It looks like the perfect game for unwinding after a long day.
11. Flower Fields
Similar to Cottage Garden, in Flower Fields, players compete to grow and arrange the most breathtaking bouquet by selecting the right combinations of blooms. It’s a light strategy game that captures the fun of flower farming and floral design.
12. Windmill Valley
In Windmill Valley, you play as a tulip farmer and entrepreneur along the famous Bloemen Route (Flower Route) in the Netherlands. Your goal is to build and enhance windmills, seek out rare tulip bulbs through foreign trade and local vendors, and gain a competitive edge with strategic hires and lucrative contracts. With careful planning and a touch of luck, your blooming fields will leave your rivals green with envy!
Whether you’re a dedicated gardener or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, these games offer a wonderful way to celebrate the outdoors from the comfort of your home. There are so many more nature-inspired games I love—some not directly tied to flowers—so I might be sharing more in a future blog! 😊 Have you played any of these, or do you have a favourite garden or nature-themed game?
