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Loves Me, Loves Me Not: The Hidden Language of Flowers
Discusses the use of flowers to convey a message without words and offers plant lore and explanations of the symbolism of particular flowers.
- GenresReferenceNonfiction
108 pages, Hardcover
First published January 30, 2007
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Peter Loewer
55 books5 followersH. Peter Loewer is a writer, graphic artist, photographer, and botanical illustrator who deals with books on natural history, gardening, great gardeners, and science for children.
He graduated from the Albright Art School of the University of Buffalo with a degree in graphics and a minor in art history. Upon graduation he was awarded the Max Beckmann Fellowship to the Brooklyn Museum Art.
In 1973 he wrote the first book on ornamental grasses, Growing and Decorating with Ornamental Grasses, then in 1994 he published the first book on nocturnal flowers for bloom and fragrance, called The Evening Garden. His book, The Wild Gardener, was named one of the best 75 garden books of the 20th Century by the American Horticultural Society. Dealing with a few of the nation's horticultural greats, he also wrote and illustrated Thoreau's Garden and Jefferson's Garden. He has a monthly call-in garden show on public radio in Asheville, and is on-air with morning host Ken Adams the first and third Thursday of the month, talking about unusual plants and horticulture lore. He is also the contributing editor for Carolina Gardener magazine and a popular speaker.
Today, Mr. Loewer teaches art at the North Carolina Arboretum, Montreat Elderhostel, AB-Tech, and every three years at Penland School in Spruce Pine. He also practices printmaking, and works on pen and colored-pencil renderings of native plants and their pollinating insects.
He graduated from the Albright Art School of the University of Buffalo with a degree in graphics and a minor in art history. Upon graduation he was awarded the Max Beckmann Fellowship to the Brooklyn Museum Art.
In 1973 he wrote the first book on ornamental grasses, Growing and Decorating with Ornamental Grasses, then in 1994 he published the first book on nocturnal flowers for bloom and fragrance, called The Evening Garden. His book, The Wild Gardener, was named one of the best 75 garden books of the 20th Century by the American Horticultural Society. Dealing with a few of the nation's horticultural greats, he also wrote and illustrated Thoreau's Garden and Jefferson's Garden. He has a monthly call-in garden show on public radio in Asheville, and is on-air with morning host Ken Adams the first and third Thursday of the month, talking about unusual plants and horticulture lore. He is also the contributing editor for Carolina Gardener magazine and a popular speaker.
Today, Mr. Loewer teaches art at the North Carolina Arboretum, Montreat Elderhostel, AB-Tech, and every three years at Penland School in Spruce Pine. He also practices printmaking, and works on pen and colored-pencil renderings of native plants and their pollinating insects.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 2, 2018
Flowers and I have always have had our own conversation - their frail selves nodding with mine; their utter transitory life a reminder to my own. When I came across this book, I wondered what my beloved flowers would tell me. Turns out that it is not the same as what they whisper to me. In the Victorian Era, shackled by the mores of society, flowers turned out to be today's instant messengers. Ardent gentlemen used flowers to convey their meanings of passion, love, and friendship.
Made me wish I had lived in such an age! Smile.
Most of the flowers described here are 'English' flowers. But what amazes me is that for each meaning, there seems to be another almost contradictory meaning. I could send a flower that seemingly conveyed 'passion,' but which also had another meaning of 'poison'. Is that kind of esoteric philosophy? Is our passion our poison? I digress. Peter Loewer's book has some beautiful illustrations, but the book overall fell apart a little because I wanted to know more about each flower and the language they spoke. I wanted stories. I wanted history. I just wasn't satisfied with knowing that the Phlox means that our 'souls are united.'
Made me wish I had lived in such an age! Smile.
Most of the flowers described here are 'English' flowers. But what amazes me is that for each meaning, there seems to be another almost contradictory meaning. I could send a flower that seemingly conveyed 'passion,' but which also had another meaning of 'poison'. Is that kind of esoteric philosophy? Is our passion our poison? I digress. Peter Loewer's book has some beautiful illustrations, but the book overall fell apart a little because I wanted to know more about each flower and the language they spoke. I wanted stories. I wanted history. I just wasn't satisfied with knowing that the Phlox means that our 'souls are united.'
May 7, 2018
This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 05/07/2018.
I keep hearing that this strange season called spring is approaching. Flowers will be blooming and markets everywhere will be selling all kinds of arrangements for Mother’s Day. However, before you pick a flower based on its looks, wouldn’t it be cool to know what that flower represents? Enter “Loves Me, Loves Me Not: The Hidden Language of Flowers” by Peter Loewer.
If you read my review of the “Botanical Inspirations” deck then you already know that global culture and folklore has always attributed special meanings for flowers based on their appearance or practical applications. Peter Loewer specifically takes a look at the Victorian era and their love of the language of flowers. “Loves Me, Loves Me Not” profiles 50 flowers and better yet each entry is paired with a beautiful, full color illustration by Loewer.
Obviously this book is great for nature and flower lovers. Now I don’t want to tell you how to live your life, but if I was considering getting flowers for someone as a gift, I would absolutely buy this book, pick the flowers based on their meanings, and then give the flowers AND this book as a gift. But you know, you do you. “Loves Me, Loves Me Not” is a delightful and informative read that is made for sharing!
I keep hearing that this strange season called spring is approaching. Flowers will be blooming and markets everywhere will be selling all kinds of arrangements for Mother’s Day. However, before you pick a flower based on its looks, wouldn’t it be cool to know what that flower represents? Enter “Loves Me, Loves Me Not: The Hidden Language of Flowers” by Peter Loewer.
If you read my review of the “Botanical Inspirations” deck then you already know that global culture and folklore has always attributed special meanings for flowers based on their appearance or practical applications. Peter Loewer specifically takes a look at the Victorian era and their love of the language of flowers. “Loves Me, Loves Me Not” profiles 50 flowers and better yet each entry is paired with a beautiful, full color illustration by Loewer.
Obviously this book is great for nature and flower lovers. Now I don’t want to tell you how to live your life, but if I was considering getting flowers for someone as a gift, I would absolutely buy this book, pick the flowers based on their meanings, and then give the flowers AND this book as a gift. But you know, you do you. “Loves Me, Loves Me Not” is a delightful and informative read that is made for sharing!
March 27, 2025
Beautiful illustrations and interesting meanings of some beautiful flowers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews