Short History of Flowers

Garden, landscape and social historian Advolly Richmond unveils the surprising histories of 60 flowers that continue to shape our gardens, revealing tales of exploration, everlasting love and stirring bravery. Royalty, scholars, explorers and a smuggler or two have all played their part in discovering and cultivating some of our favourite species. Here are plants have played pivotal roles in society, including boom-to-bust economies, fortunes made from nothing, and fashion statements which swept the nation. With specially commissioned artworks from award-winning botanical illustrator Sarah Jane Humphrey.