Customer Reviews

100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got this on a lark because (1) I adore plants and (2) as a linguistics major, I adore words. This book turned out to be a tasty treat on both counts.

The author promises word origins & faithfully provides with every entry, along with a sketch rendering of the plant. But --though it pains me to admit it-- not EVERY plant is blessed with a thrill-packed tale of linguistic derivation, so Ms. Wells wisely digresses, peppering her descriptions with attributed stories of interesting events and rumors associated with each plant. The overall effect is a gossipy piece with enough hard information to keep most armchair "researchers" happy.

Gives the origins, migration, hybridization and folklore with fascinating obscure stories that some of us have not read before. Explanations of how folklore began and how some of these flowers were discovered and migrated to where they are now in the world. Interesting observations of reasons why flowers were carried to, named and accepted in various countries.

If you are interested in the origins of names, you will thrive on the information in this book. The pages are illustrated by Ippy Patterson and the cover itself it just beautiful. If you love flowers, you will enjoy learning about abelias, zinnias, roses, etc. The fascinating stories behind the flowers names will intrigue you.

You will learn about the origins, hybridizations, and migrations of your favorite floral beauties. This is a horticulture history and a journey into myths and folklore. If you love gardening, this will open your eyes to the history behind all the plants in your garden. Now you will not only know the names, the flowers will now each have a story to tell. Some helpful gardening advice is also included. You will also learn why Empress Josephine carried a rose, which flower Thomas Jefferson was afraid to plant at Monticello and what the connection is between Queen Victoria, the Amazons and water lilies.

This delightfully illustrated hardcover book presents 100 well-known garden favorites. I hope that they will keep expanding this book to include even more stories of all our favorite flowers. Look for essential oil of rose for emotional healing.

~The Rebecca Review

This is a wonderful, charming book. Each section provides an interesting anecdotal essay about the flower it covers. However, do not expect completeness (of course, there are many more than 100 flowers out there, and more than could be said about each than is possible in a page or two).

Also, don't look for consistent information about flower naming or morphology. Rather, these are very personal essays on each flower. The essays usually include some historical information that has to do with how the flower was named. At times, this format feel forced--I would have liked the author to be able to paint with a broader brush, as I sense she wanted to. And I also think that of the 100 flowers there are a few she doesn't really like that much. (Well, me too!).

These minor objections to the form of the book aside, it's really incredibly sweet, and very educational. 5 Stars plus.

What a great reference book for all who love flowers. As a professional Florist, Event & Party planner in Seattle, WA, we use this book on a daily basis for customers asking quesion of flowers.

A must have...

Magnolia Village Florist, Inc.
Seattle, WA

I was a little dissapointed with this book. It was a lot smaller in size than I was expecting, and the illustrations are just black and white outlines, not color photos of each flower like I was expecting. They should call it "How 100 flowers got their names" instead.

This is a delight for flower gardeners, and especially those who like to sit outside and read among the flowers. Now, without a lot of over-the-head scientific language, you can get the fun of flowers, and enjoy the reading and the flowers together. It's not the definitive book for the scientifically serious grower, but one of the best for the backyard gardener. You'll find the book as fun as your flowers. Reading about flowers is better than weeding them.

I found this book AFTER reading Diana Wells newer book, "Lives of the Trees: An Uncommon History". That book does to trees that 100 Flowers does to blooms. Each chapter (go ahead look at the list inside on this listing) offers information, a drawing and fun facts about the flower while not bogging the reader down with more than 2 or 3 pages. If you need more, there are other book. This book offers a FUN first look at what kinds of flowers may be growing in your backyard, and what you might want to add. The same treatment exists in Wells' book about trees and a third one, "100 Birds and How They Got Their Name." I give them all 5-stars for FUN reading. Take them outside in nature, the perfect place to read them.

These books are perfect for homeschool students and others doing basic research on trees, flowers, and birds. I'm sorry I passed age 60 before I found them, but they would be a delight to other retired nature lovers. Simple, fun reading that can be taken in in short bursts. I gained new bits of knowledge with every chapter, in every one of the 3 books.

I'm glad I ordered them all. I'd suggest the same for you.

I love this tome. Not only does Ms. Wells deliver the goods on our favorite garden plants, she gives us a glimpse into the lives of the intrepid and sometimes impetuous plant explorers who brought them into commerce. For instance, it seems that karma got the better of Joseph de Tournefort who survived scaling walls into private gardens and helping himself but later was tragically killed when hit by a carriage while crossing a Paris street.

If you like plants, history and an easily digestible read, you'll love this book.

Grace Peterson
[...]

This little but informative book was a hit for my mom-in-law. She thought she knew all about flowers, but no. She was amazed at all the facts in this book. A real nice present for flower lovers.!!

100 Flowers is more of a small coffee table book than a garden guide. It's sweet and interesting. It would be a perfect gift for mother's day, the lady who babysits the cat, your nicest neighbor. I would be interested in other things the author has done or seeing her on Martha.