Flora: A Illustrated History of the garden flower, authored by British writer Brent Elliot, chronicles the history of flowers introduced to Britain from around the world. The book details how horticultural flowers were brought to Britain from Europe, the Ottoman Empire, Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, accompanied by corresponding hand-drawn illustrations. Though less photorealistic than photographs, the hand-drawn floral illustrations possess greater aesthetic appeal and effectively highlight each flower's distinctive features, making them ideal for learning to identify different species.
Unlike the previous book on birds, where I recognized few species, I am quite familiar with many of the flowers featured here. Peonies, roses, azaleas, and chrysanthemums introduced from China are common sights. Hydrangeas and irises brought from Japan are also ubiquitous in China. Weekend strolls through parks reveal many bedding plants like sage and begonia. Since plants can rapidly produce new varieties through artificial hybridization, distinguishing every single species is incredibly difficult—recognizing different genera is already quite an achievement. Take tulips, for instance: brought to Europe from Turkey by Austrians, they became widely cultivated in the Netherlands, yielding thousands of varieties. This proliferation even sparked the Tulip Mania, which ultimately triggered an economic crisis.
Beyond their ornamental value, flowering plants offer medicinal or edible uses, generating significant economic benefits. In many countries, floriculture has become a vital industry, enriching daily life with vibrant colors and creating visually pleasing environments. The cross-pollination and hybridization of flowers across regions have indeed played a vital role in the global flourishing of floriculture.
This book spans over 300 pages, predominantly filled with illustrations. The text primarily consists of captions accompanying the images, representing a significant improvement in layout compared to the previous bird book. I estimate I recognize less than half of the hundreds of flower species featured, but this book will undoubtedly help me learn about many more in the future.