100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names by Diana Wells

100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names by Diana Wells

This book came out in 2013.

Oh, dear gardeners, the names we give to our floral friends!

100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names is a delightful romp through the botanical lexicon, a treasure trove of tales and trivia that will leave you gasping for more.

Diana Wells, with her historian's eye and gardener's heart, has crafted a book that is as informative as it is entertaining.

Each flower, from the humble daisy to the exotic orchid, is given its due, its name unwrapped like a precious gift.

We learn of ancient myths and legends, of daring explorers and cunning merchants, of love and loss, hope and despair.

Imagine the surprise of discovering that the sweet pea, with its delicate fragrance, was once considered a symbol of lust!

Or that the humble dandelion, often dismissed as a weed, was once thought to be a cure for warts.

Each flower has a story to tell, and Diana weaves them together into a captivating narrative.

Once in an interview, Diana cautioned,

If we fail to remember the history of our flowers we know them less and to trace their link with us is to make them part of our lives.

The illustrations by Ippy Patterson perfectly complement Diana's text, adding a touch of whimsy and charm. Ippy brings the flowers to life, making them feel like old friends.

Diana knows that every flower tells a story, and she's collected some of the very best stories about our flowers.

Here's what Diana wrotes about lilacs:

American settlers planted lilacs in front of farmhouse doors, not for usefulness but for beauty, while they struggled to make a new life in the wilderness.

Sometimes the slowly cleared fields, the houses, and the walls were no more permanent than those who made them, but the liliacs remained by the ghost porches leading nowhere.

And here's a quick excerpt about the balloon flower:

Vita Sackville-West described the balloon flower's puffed- up bud as "a tiny lantern, so tightly closed as though its little seams had been stitched together, with the further charm that you can pop it ... if you are so childishly minded."

Its botanical name comes from the Greek platys (broad) and kodon (bell).

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of flowers, 100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names is a must-read. It's a book that will enrich your gardening experience and deepen your appreciation for the natural world. 

This book is 288 pages of fabulous flowers and the fascinating origin stories of their delightful names.

You can get a copy of 100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names by Diana Wells and support the show using the Amazon link in today's show notes for around $2.