The floral dictionary of Anna Maria Campbell

A beautifully illustrated edition of Anna Maria Campbell's intriguing and unusual floral dictionary

Published in the mid 19th century, when the Victorian craze for the language of flowers was at its height, Anna Maria Campbell's book is intriguing.  Not only does it include several plants not found in other floral dictionaries but it gives almost every flower a colour - or several colours - each paired with a different meaning.

Originally produced by a tiny publisher more used to printing Acts of Parliament and sales catalogues than floral dictionaries, copies of the first edition are very rare.  Now, however, it has been brought to life again by Rachel Henry in this fascinating volume, the third in her series on the language of flowers,

After investigating the background of Anna Maria's dictionary, Henry explores the place each plant listed held in the Victorian garden and countryside, and includes evocative quotations from the gardening experts of the day together with information on each plant's history, the uses to which it was put, and the folklore surrounding it.

With 322 beautiful full-colour illustrations, Anna Maria Campbell's Floral Dictionary is a worthy addition to any flower-lover's bookshelf.