An informative and thought-provoking read for florists and plant lovers alike, packed with historical references and botanical facts.
Reviewer Juliet Roberts is the former editor of Gardens Illustrated.
For centuries, people the world over have attached symbolism to plants. In the UK, poppies are associated with remembrance, red roses with love and daisies with innocence, and these connections have been celebrated throughout the ages: from the giving of real or paper plants, to the use of illustrated motifs on cards and works of art.
The first known dictionary of flower meanings, Le Langage des Fleurs by Charlotte de La Tour, dates back to 1819, and floral symbolism was commonly used to convey meaning for almost a century. However, since the First World War an increasing disconnection from rural traditions has meant that the language of flowers has gradually become lost.
Shane Connolly’s latest book sets out to rediscover the language of flowers, examining ancient visual codes, and its relevance today. A highly regarded florist for more than 20 years, Connolly is probably best known for his work at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. He is passionate about celebrating nature’s bounty and in this book he looks at over 50 plants and how they can articulate our feelings. Arranged into three main chapters – Love Found, Love Lost and Love Restored – the text is succinct and lively. Alongside beautifully styled photographs of individual specimens, Connolly includes a number of floral arrangements that combine the meanings of plants as a sort of multifaceted conversation in a bouquet. He also includes useful guides to creating such things as ‘a crown of happiness’ and a display for an ‘amorous dinner table’.
Above all, this book reveals a subtle, enchanting form of communication that in our fast-paced world is surprisingly appealing.