A Short History of Flowers

A delightful little book with beautiful illustrations. I loved Advolly’s chatty, humorous writing style, especially the story of the stolen anemone seeds! Would make a wonderful gift for any gardener.

Thank you Netgalley, Advolly and Quarto publishing for this ARC.

This is such a beautifully designed book! The illustrations are stunning and I love that the background information is informative, but not terribly long. The included text is informative, but in a short, accessible way!

I cannot wait to dive into this book more and learn more about the history of flowers!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a perfect book to review when it’s below freezing outside and everything is covered in snow! Author Richmond has done an incredible amount of research on 60 mostly well-known flowering plants, following their origins, their original uses in herbology (if any), their ultimate travels to the UK and beyond, their crazy names before Latin taxonomy was utilized and their sometimes strange stories and literary references. I never knew my snapdragons had supernatural powers.

I think every gardener looks at a flower and thinks of the personal relationship she has with the plant: that her grandmother grew it, or a neighbor claims these irises were transported by pioneers from English estates, or where she bought it from, or whether it has flourished where she used to live but no longer in this current climate. Richmond’s book adds more stories and depth to each flower and as well how cultivation has made some the bane of some gardeners (flourishing too well and getting put on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act or the American States’ individual Toxic Plant lists). Looking at you, Nepeta — my weed, your flower; or Rhododendron an English villain that I wished I could get to survive in my soil.

There’s an easy to use index so you can find a particular familiar plant immediately and then read through the stories of the others. I was amazed that the protea, an exotic plant known currently in Hawaii and South Africa, was an exclusively popular plant in Northern Europe, gifted to only royalty before interest (and the adapted species) died out. References are primarily to United Kingdom stories, but an educated American gardener will still recognize each species and the flowers that have crossed the pond, like American wisteria.

The botanical illustrations by Sarah Jane Humphrey are beautiful and yet simple enough to show the most recognizable samples. A selected bibliography will add to your journey among this garden and the index highlights the botanists and horticulturalists mentioned.

This will make a beautiful gift to any gardener who also loves to read about the history of floriculture. 5 stars!

Thank you to White Lion/Quarto Publishing and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Growing up in small towns, we always had flowers all around. My mom and grandmothers always had plants and flower beds. This book was like taking a trip back to childhood. Learning a little about the history and folklore of some all to familiar plants and many new ones. Thank you Netgalley for this.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

Includes historical and sometimes scientific information about a number of plants. I like that it includes both the updated and older full scientific names. Plus, the artwork is nice. Color illustrations of each flower are included as well as some simple supplementary illustrations to accompany the information.

This is a fascinating mini compendium!

This book is great for any gardener, botanist, or general lover of flowers who wants to dive a little deeper into the origin of a collection of sixty flowers. I was looking for lilacs because I'm particularly fond of them, and I was not disappointed. An interesting fact that I learned was that when lilacs are flowered out of season in the dark, no matter what color they're supposed to be, they will always bloom white. How cool!

Each flower has its own gorgeous portrait, generic name, and history from when it was first recorded. The passages include important dates and the areas where it was cultivated historically, as well as the people who helped by acquiring them, and whether or not they hybridized the flower. I really enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout. This book is definitely something to display or set on my coffee table - it would make a wonderful gift too!

This captivating compendium brings to life the rich stories behind some of our most beloved flowering plants, from their discovery by intrepid explorers and scholars to their enduring prominence through generations. With its mix of science, history, and biography, garden lovers will adore this gorgeously illustrated book.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.