Garden historian, Advolly Richmond, presenter on the popular BBC TV’s Gardener’s World, unravels the surprising histories of 60 flowers that shape our gardens on Saturday 20th April , with the launch and book signing of her new book A Short History of Flowers

Advolly, until recently a Trustee for Castle Bromwich Gardens Trust, will be sharing some of the fascinating and strange stories behind the flowers that have become so familiar to our back gardens. After the talk Advolly will be available to sign books which will also be available in the Gardens’ shop

A Short History of Flowers – the book

Have you ever wondered where your favourite garden flowers came from? Where their names are derived from? Or why some cultivars go in and out of favour? Every flower we grow has a story, and in this book the author takes you on a tour of the most intriguing, surprising and enriching ones.

Tales of exploration, everlasting love and bravery bring these beautiful flowers to life. The author has dug down to uncover the royalty, scholars, pioneers and a smuggler or two that have all played a part in discovering and cultivating some of our favourite species. From the lavish and exotic bougainvillea, found by an 18th century female botanist in disguise, to the humble but majestic snowdrop casting a spell and causing a frenzy.

Advolly brings alive the people who introduced and cultivated some of our favourite plants and shares the juicy tales that made some flowers so well known.

A Short History of Flowers is packed with remarkable stories of exploration, heartbreak, fashion and ambition all brought to life with intricate artworks from botanical illustrator and Royal Horticultural Society Gold Medal Award winner, Sarah Jane Humphrey. This beautiful book is the perfect gift for every plant and garden lover.