Books to read if you love flowers.
Let’s talk about some flowery world. The books I’m going to mention are more about flower language rather than gardening guides.
If you want to know more about flowers but don’t know where to start, you’ve found the right page. And If you get excited about flowers and run to smell them, feel them, touch them then girl we’re already besties. As a bibliophile and Plant enthusiast I had to find a middle way so I started to read books about flowers and obtained so many secret traits of flowers and plants.
Above all, Thanks to Google Lens I learned about the flower oasis around me. For instance, walking on the streets I would find dandelions so one day I just took a photo of them and searched them up on Google and I learned so much about their characteristics and folklore. I call dandelion fairy clocks because they’re much more than weeds. The common name “fairy clock” is one of the many whimsical names given to the dandelion plant. It is primarily attributed to the seed heads of dandelions that resemble small white globes with feathery attachments. When these seed heads are fully developed and mature, the wind carries the seeds away, dispersing them across the landscape.
The name “fairy clock” likely originates from folklore and the belief that fairies or magical beings were responsible for manipulating or utilizing natural elements. In this case, the term suggests that the dandelion’s seed heads serve as a kind of clock for the fairies, indicating the passage of time or signalling specific events.
However, it’s important to note that “fairy clock” is not a widely recognized or scientifically accepted term for the dandelion. It is more of a poetic or imaginative expression, highlighting the delicate and ethereal nature of the plant and its association with mythical creatures.
I have captured more than 50 flowers and plants, and I’m learning about them in detail. (lemme know if you’d love to know about them too) But you know some books would guide you into a whole flowery world and help you recognize the flowers and plants. Let’s start with the ones I have read the most and the ones that are on my tbr.
1. THE COMPLETE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS by S.Thersa Dietz.
I love this book. It’s a must-read especially if you are a newbie in a flowery world and don’t know where to start. Along with the name of flowers, you’ll learn what flowers were used as in the past. There was a time when secret messages were delivered through flowers. For example, sending Aconitum napellus or Monkshood meant A deadly foe was near. As mentioned in the book introduction, The Victorians were quite caught up in these kinds of strategies. This book, according to me, would be a perfect guide if you want to learn the meaning of flowers and plants and maybe learn some folklore, how people used these flowers. The book has a guide that would help you read it, and it’s awesome. This book has everything you’re looking for whether it’s their meaning, powers, folklore, or toxicity, and some short stories behind the flowers. It can also help you choose the right kind of flower for your loved ones.
It’s a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 for me.
2. THE GREEN WITCH’S GUIDE TO MAGICAL PLANTS AND FLOWERS by Chris Young and Susan Ottaviano
Do I need to say something? I found this book extremely intriguing. Reading the Introduction was enough for me to have this book and dig into it. IT’S A PERFECT BOOK FOR YOUR MAGICAL JOURNEY IN THE WORLD OF FLOWERS AND PLANTS. This book includes information on herbalism, gardening, and rituals involving plants and flowers. This can serve as a guide for those interested in incorporating plants into their magical or spiritual journeys. Do you ever wonder what power the flowers around you that smell so heavenly might hold? It’s a fun book, that will help you prepare some magic potions with flowers that may seem beautiful but are immensely powerful. Grab this book and cook some Green witchcraft in your kitchen! 😉
‘To create a love spell that is simple and true, have your crush share an apple with you.’
Do I need to say anything else about it? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
3. FLORIOGRAPHY (An illustrated guide to the Victorian language of flowers) by Jessica Roux
An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers is a full-colour guidebook to the historical uses and secret meanings behind an impressive array of flowers and herbs. I mentioned little about Victorians above so let’s talk about them here. The Victorians had a profound fascination with flowers and developed a deep obsession with them. This obsession permeated various aspects of Victorian society, including art, literature, fashion, and even social customs. Flowers were assigned specific meanings and messages, and the Victorians developed an intricate language of flowers, known as floriography. Different flowers and their arrangements were used to convey specific sentiments and emotions. This symbolic language allowed individuals to communicate secret messages through floral gifts and bouquets, making it an essential part of courtship and social interactions. The Victorians were known for their sentimental nature and romantic ideals. Flowers, with their ephemeral beauty and delicate fragrance, embodied these sentiments perfectly. They were often associated with love, purity, and innocence. Flowers were given as gifts on special occasions and used to express emotions that words alone couldn’t capture.
Girl, If you won’t read this book we’re done. This book is aesthetically pleasing, well-written, simple, informative and so much more. I love this book the most and I love the author, Jessica Rous, she’s an exceptional illustrator. You need to check out her website and other books as well.
BOOKS THAT ARE ON MY TBR!!
- Botanical Curses and Poisons: The Shadow-Lives of Plants by FEZ INKWRIGHT
- Folk Magic and Healing: An Unusual History of Everyday Plants by FEZ INKWRIGHT
- The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Can you guess which flower is this? ❤
I hope you found this article helpful. Let me know! And tell me about the flowers you love. I’d love to hear! Thank you so much for reading. :)
