Garden Flora: The Natural and Cultural History of the Plants In Your Garden

“A beautifully illustrated reference book covers the origins, ecology and history of popular garden plants.” —Shelf Awareness

The oldest rose fossil used to be found in Colorado and dates to 35 million years ago. Marigolds, infamous for their ability to self-seed, are named for an Etruscan god who sprang from a ploughed field. And daffodils—an icon of spring—were introduced to Britain by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. Each garden plant has an origination story, and Garden Flora, by noted garden designer Noel Kingsbury, shares them in a beautifully compelling way. This lushly illustrated survey of 133 of essentially the most often grown plants explains where every plant came from and the adventure it took into home gardens. Kingsbury tells intriguing tales of crucial plant hunters, breeders, and gardeners all through history, and explores the unexpected ways plants have been used. Richly illustrated with an eclectic mix of recent and historical photos, botanical art, and vintage seed packets and catalogs, Garden Flora is a should-have reference for Each gardener and plant lover.