Medieval Flowers

by Miranda Innes, Clay Perry

A glorious volume devoted to the flowers and gardens of medieval times, enhanced with historical detail, medicinal and herbal lore, gardening wisdom, and 140 exquisite color photographs. It was in medieval gardens that the healing arts, poetry, spirituality, a sense of order in the cosmos, and an appreciation of beauty took root and were cultivated. Flowers had a significance almost incomprehensible to the modern-day gardener. Precious as jewels, painted and praised, they played a part in every courtly ritual and village romance. From peony to poppy, columbine to lily and iris, Medieval Flowers celebrates the species that grew then and still grow today. Photographer Clay Perry reveals their indelible beauty in 140 color images, as Miranda Innes explores the rituals and festivals in which flowers played a vital part. She also details the medicinal, cosmetic, and herbal uses of each plant, surveys the designs of physic, kitchen, and pleasure gardens, and introduces us to medieval gardens that can still be visited today. Complete with an illustrated directory that provides cultivation details for each flower, this is a book that will be coveted by all gardeners. Miranda Innes' many books include The Ornamental Garden and Ethnic Style. 160 pp 9 1/2 x 10 1/2 140 color photos

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Medieval, Plants, Gardening, Nature, Historical

160 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1997

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a herbal or medicinal guide, Medieval Flowers is a lavishly illustrated compilation of history, folklore, usage, and the significance of herbs and flowers in medieval life. Example: St. John's Wort was a tool of divination, which predicted the course of love and the chances of matrimony, depending on whether a cut sprig wilted or remained fresh.
A welcome addition to my history and gardening libraries.

[Dexter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've seen some other reviewers say this book is full of historical errors, which makes me feel a little more confident in some of the "...are you sure" moments I had. Still, it's a very neat book about flowers with lots of pretty pictures.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the look and concept of this book, and there was some interesting information here, but I found too many blatant errors throughout the book to take the whole too seriously.

[DOLLY · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are no words to describe Medieval Flowers , I couldn't put it down.

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous coffee table style book that also has some interesting text about the lives of medieval people and the usages they made of plants. Some stunning photos of flowers. The only reason I've not given it 5 stars is it is pretty old now, even the paperback reprint I have is dated 2002 and I don't think it was updated from the 1997 hardback. So the last section of the book which is about places you can go to, to see recreated medieval gardens is probably quite a bit out of date. However, the rest of the information about the plants themselves and the medieval lifestyle is still relevant.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flower lovers, before opening this book, have your smelling salts at the ready; you will surely swoon at the large, lovely photographs. The text is barely instructive and a student of the subject will want a text with notes and more extensive bibliography. But rare is the book that satisfies the eyes as richly as this lovely tome.

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book of photographs but text was very interesting too. Highlights plants grown in medieval gardens through every season - they used lots of herbs.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very pretty illustrations; however, the writer was rather out of touch with actual history.