A Short History of Flowers

Have you ever wondered where your favorite garden flowers came from, how they got their names, or why certain varieties fall in and out of fashion? In A Short History of Flowers, Advolly Richmond explores the fascinating stories behind beloved blooms, from the eighteenth century woman who disguised herself as a man to collect bougainvillea on a global voyage to the snowdrop that sparked Victorian mania, a daffodil rediscovered after centuries out of cultivation, the lily of the valley that became Christian Dior’s lucky charm, and the California poppy’s journey from Indigenous medicine to royal heraldry. Featuring specially commissioned botanical illustrations by award winning artist Sarah Jane Humphrey, each chapter pairs vivid artwork with rich storytelling, inviting gardeners and curious readers alike to see the flowers around them in a whole new way.

Hardcover / 208 pages

Dimensions: 6.2" x 8.6"