A Short History of Flowers

Description

Have you ever wondered where your favourite garden flowers come from? Where their names are derived from? Or why some cultivars go in and out of favour? Every flower in your herbaceous border has a story, and in this book Advolly Richmond from BBC Gardeners' World takes you on a tour of the most intriguing, surprising and enriching ones.

These unassuming blooms hold treasure troves of stories: tales of exploration, everlasting love, bravery and tragedy. Discover the pioneers, scholars, royals and a smuggler or two that have all played a part in cultivating some of our favourite species. From the lavish and exotic bougainvillea, found by an 18th-century female botanist in disguise to the humble but majestic snowdrop casting a spell and causing a frenzy. These plants have played pivotal roles in our societies, from boom to bust economies, promises of riches and making fashion statements.

Featuring specially commissioned, sumptuous artworks from award-winning botanical illustrator Sarah Jane Humphrey, this is a beautiful compendium for every garden lover.