Floriography

An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers

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Pub Date 15 Sep 2020 | Archive Date 25 Aug 2020

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Description

A charming, gorgeously illustrated botanical encyclopedia for your favorite romantic, local witch, bride-to-be, or green-thumbed friend.

Floriography is a full-color guide to the historical uses and secret meanings behind an impressive array of flowers and herbs. The book explores the coded significances associated with various blooms, from flowers for a lover to flowers for an enemy.

The language of flowers was historically used as a means of secret communication. It soared in popularity during the 19th century, especially in Victorian England and the U.S., when proper etiquette discouraged open displays of emotion. Mysterious and playful, the language of flowers has roots in everything from the characteristics of the plant to its presence in folklore and history. Researched and illustrated by popular artist Jessica Roux, this book makes a stunning display piece, conversation-starter, or thoughtful gift.
A charming, gorgeously illustrated botanical encyclopedia for your favorite romantic, local witch, bride-to-be, or green-thumbed friend.

Floriography is a full-color guide to the historical uses and...

A Note From the Publisher

We regret that this electronic galley is not available for Kindle viewing.

We regret that this electronic galley is not available for Kindle viewing.


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781524858148
PRICE $19.99 (USD)
PAGES 224

Available on NetGalley

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Average rating from 118 members


Featured Reviews

A gorgeous collection of illustrations and definitions. This is exactly what I was looking for! This is perfect for anyone who wants to learn about flowers, how to draw them, and finding their meanings. Such a helpful manual and I am over the moon about all the flowers within this! A must have for any bookshelf!

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Review to come on September 3rd on blog/goodreads.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I LOVE flowers and I love gardening. I am so delighted that I finally have the chance to do some gardening again. Last year I moved to a new home which has a front/back garden. I had plenty of work ahead of me as it was overgrown. But this year I am slowly adding new flowers and seeing what works. Next to my garden I love filling my home with flowers. So this book is perfect for me.

This book gives us gorgeous art of flowers. Really, that really made me request this book. I love botany art, some people are just too darn talented and make it seem like you can grab the flowers or plants out of the pages.

Next to the gorgeous art each flower has it's own page with all sorts of details on the flower. The meaning of the flower, origin (which various from mythology/history/people/believes to uses and more), and what you can pair it with and what kind of meaning that would have. Like if you mix belladone which stands for silence with columbine and begonia it is used to urge someone to keep a secret! I loved reading these little bits of text though, unless I add the book to my collection (which is a big possibility), I won't remember them. I learned quite some new things though, and I love that!

All in all, this is one book I would recommend to fellow flower lovers! Gorgeous art, interesting information.

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This is so lovely. Excellent flower symbolic info and gorgeous illustrations. I definitely want to purchase a copy for my gardener friends!

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O livro é destinado a quem tem algum interesse por plantas, flores, jardinagem. É uma lida obra, com pinturas belíssimas e, além disso, traz informações interessantes sobre as espécies, a origem, combinações... Funciona como uma enciclopédia que beira a uma obra de arte.

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SO DELICATE AND BEAUTIFUL. I've been following Jessica Roux on Instagram for many years so you could say I'm a huge admirer of her illustrative work. Floriography is GORGEOUS, I'm so blown away. The cover alone is stunning (it's unavailable for preview on Goodreads for the moment but you can see it on her Insta here), and gives you an idea of the illustrative style. If you've ever wanted to give your floral decorations, arrangements, or gift-giving more meaning then this is a guide to definitely pick up.

Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers is all about the secret communication expressed via floral symbolism that was popular in the UK and Americas in the 19th century, when people were not so outwardly bold as they are today.

Inside you'll find a brief history on floriography, as well as 91 flowers / herbs and 10 bouquets. Each flower is held on a two-page spread with one side consisting of the common name, Latin name, meaning, origin, and what flowers to pair it with to convey a specific meaning or message, and a full-page illustration on the other. The bouquets are organized similarly, with symbolic colors and knot styles for the ribbons and bows that fasten the flowers together.

Flowers and herbs that are included:
- Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)
- Anemone (Anemone)
- Apple Blossom (Malus)
- Asphodel (Asphodelus)
- Aster (Symphyotrichum)
- Azalea (Rhododendron)
- Baby's Breath (Gypsophila)
- Basil (Ocimum)
- Begonia (Begonia)
- Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)
- Bluebell (Hyacinthoides)
- Buttercup (Ranunculus)
- Camellia (Camellia)
- Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)
- Cattail (Typha latifolia)
- Chamomile (Matricaria)
- Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum)
- Clematis (Clematis)
- Clover (Trifolium)
- Columbine (Aquilegia)
- Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
- Cowslip (Primula veris)
- Crocus (Crocus)
- Cypress (Cupressus)
- Daffodil (Narcissus)
- Dahlia (Dahlia)
- Daisy (Bellis)
- Dandelion (Taraxacum)
- Datura (Datura)
- Dogwood (Cornus)
- Edelweiss (Leontopodium)
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus)
- Fern (Adiantum)
- Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis)
- Foxglove (Digitalis)
- Gladiolus (Gladiolus)
- Hawthorn (Crataegus)
- Heather (Calluna)
- Hellebore (Helleborus)
- Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
- Holly (Ilex)
- Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
- Hyacinth (Hyacinthus)
- Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
- Hyssop (Hyssopus)
- Iris (Iris)
- Ivy (Hedera)
- Jasmine (Jasminum)
- Lady Slipper (Cypripedium)
- Larkspur (Delphinium)
- Laurel (Laurus)
- Lavender (Lavandula)
- Lilac (Syringa)
- Lily (Lilium)
- Lily of the Valley (Convallaria)
- Magnolia (Magnolia)
- Marigold (Tagetes)
- Mint (Mentha)
- Mistletoe (Viscum)
- Monkshood (Aconitum)
- Myrtle (Myrtus)
- Nettle (Urtica)
- Oak (Quercus)
- Oleander (Nerium oleander)
- Olive (Olea)
- Orange Blossom (Citrus sinensis)
- Orchid (Orchis)
- Pansy (Viola tricolor var. hortensis)
- Passionflower (Passiflora)
- Peony (Paeonia)
- Petunia (Petunia)
- Poppy (Papaver somniferum)
- Protea (Protea)
- Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus)
- Rose (Rosa)
- Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
- Rue (Ruta)
- Snapdragon (Antirrhinum)
- Snowdrop (Galanthus)
- Sunflower (Helianthus)
- Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
- Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
- Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
- Thistle (Cirsium)
- Tulip (Tulipa)
- Violet (Viola odorata)
- Wheat (Triticum)
- Willow (Salix)
- Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
- Yarrow (Achillea)
- Zinnia (Zinnia)

Bouquets that are included:
- A Bouquet for Friendship
- A Bouquet for Courting
- A Bouquet for Marriage
- A Bouquet for Sympathy
- A Bouquet for Regret and Sorrow
- A Bouquet for Apology
- A Bouquet for Forgotten Obligations
- A Bouquet for Warnings
- A Bouquet for Bitter Ends
- A Bouquet for New Beginnings

There is an Index in the back that sorts the flowers by meaning, however there are no page numbers included so you will have to thumb through the book to locate each flower, although they are sorted alphabetically so it wouldn't be a difficult task.

Floriography is this flora-loving witches dream. This book is a must-have for nature-loving souls and those who especially adore the Victorian era, plus it's so absolutely charming and romantic it will look amazing on your bookshelf, I highly recommend it.

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Jessica Roux’s Floriography is gorgeous. It’s a short book with a page of information about each flower, such as the symbolic meaning, the origin of this mythology, and even cooler, which flowers to pair with that gives an additional meaning.

It’s a little hard to rate this book, since it’s more of a collection than a book you can read cover to cover. Roux’s book would be perfect for a coffee table, yes, but I think it would also be interesting for research for writers, or even as decoration, as there are beautiful full length illustrations of each flower after discussing them. Utterly gorgeous collection.

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Taking inspiration from the stunning cover, I would say this book reflects the author love of flowers (rose) and her wisdom (iris) treating the subject matter with humility and faithfulness (bluebell). This book is full of beauty, the illustrations are gorgeous, and I love that the entries for the flowers are concise but comprehensive. I have seen other illustrated flower dictionaries before, but two things set this book apart: the addition of herbs as well as flowers and the inclusion of the last section for bouquets arrangement (it is good to have a place to start when wanting to create a bouquet and there is so much individual information). And again, that cover...stunning.

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These illustrations were lovely! I want to buy this book so I can recreate them on my own time! Thank you netgalley for allowing me an advanced copy as well as to the publisher.

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This book was actually quite interesting. It gives some nice historical input on flowers (and plants) that we’re all familiar with.

The art is also very nice. I think it would have been kind of cooler if instead of straight up art they used botanical sketches.

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One of my low-key/high-key not-so-secret, secret obsessions is Victorian Flower Language... & If you didn't know that, now you know. I first found out about Elizabethan Salad Language and through a great big wormhole into that sphere, I found Victorian Flower Language. I find it so romantic and I love the symbolism that flowers can have, especially when I"m reading old books and poems. Even today, I am obsessed with coding and decoding meanings of bouquets (even though no one really considers the meaning anymore when they send them).

This book is what I've been seeking to have on my shelf FOREVER. I read a digital copy but I am pre-ordering a physical copy for my shelf right now. I absolutely love all the gorgeous flower pictures that accompany the meaning. There's just enough information to be really helpful without bogging you down with too many interpretations and alternative meanings (like some others I've seen!). The pairing suggestions are amazing for special messages - I'm so glad these are included. I love this little book so much and am so glad I came across it to reignite my passion for the language of flowers! I know this will be a book I keep on my shelf and reference for the rest of my life. Thank you Jessica Roux.

Cover: 5/5
Audience: Any age / Adult
Language of Flowers, Floral, Victorian, love
Overall: 5 Stars

* I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review*.

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You will not be disappointed! This book is everything promised, and more. Beautifully descriptive, and visually pleasing. I will be purchasing a few of these as gifts simply because of how BEAUTIFUL every single page is. It is a very helpful reference for all ages, and skill levels.

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I've always found floriography - the Victorian language of flowers, fascinating. This beautifully illustrated book gives the meanings attributed to the herbs and flowers and how the Victorians used them to communicate thoughts and feelings. It would be a gorgeous coffee table book or a thoughtful gift for anyone interested in flowers.

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There was a time with nature still had importance. People still stopped and smelled the flowers. They even communicated using flowers. Whether the intent is love or a threat or courtship or friendship, the right flowers said it all.
This was such an illuminating read about the flowers and their significance in the Victorian era. Whether it is the ghostly asphodel or the bright sunflower or the colorful tulip - most of famous flowers are listed here. Resplendent in colours and beautifully illustrated, this book gives you concise tidbits about different flowers and bouquets for different occasions.
If you love flowers or are even curious about floriography, check this out.
Also, from an artist's perspective, this book has some amazing illustrations of the flowers and it would help to know their names and draw them. So it is very useful for a person like me who likes painting or doodling flowers and leaves.
Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC.

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This is such an amazing book. Love the short but informative description. Will make a lovely addition to shelf. Looking forward to trying the combination from the book. There are coloured full page illustrations for every flower/bouquet mentioned in the book. Its gorgeous. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this review copy.

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A great coffee table book which could also serve as a reference for artists, it explores the meaning behind flowers and the origin of that symbolism. There are full-page illustrations for each of the flowers, which is quite helpful for people that don't know them by their names.

It's a great book to check if you're unsure about a flower's appearance, if you're writing a story set in Victorian times or if you're looking for some beautiful inspiration for your art.

Although it's not something to read in one sitting, I would surely picking it up from time to time just to admire it.

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Growing up, I was fascinated with the delicate and secret messages hidden in flowers! This book is incredible at explaining the language of flowers, with beautiful illustrations. Floriography is written in a very accessible and useful format, either for beginners or experts of this art. Clearly drawn with intense care, the illustrations are realistic and elegant. Floriography features examples of bouquets, relevant mythology or history, and flower pairing suggestions. Those who love flowers and seek a deeper understanding of the meaning behind them will want this for their shelves. I would definitely gift it to anyone with an interest in flowers or the language of flowers. Floriography releases September 15, 2020. Thank you to Jessica Roux, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Okay. Who knew that Basil represents Hate and can be paired with Lavender for...betrayal. This book is incredibly cool to go through and have as a resource if you're really into flowers. Reading the meaning, origin, and notes to pair with for so many flowers was very interesting and eye opening. There are many flowers that I wasn't familiar with (Hawthorn, Hellebore, Larkspur, Rue, etc.) and I'll definitely have to come back a few times to hopefully memorize a few. I was so excited to come across the names of flowers that I had only recognized by appearance (Protea, Thistle), and to see specific bouquets was pretty impressive. The illustrations are beautifully simple enough for me to remember (hopefully) and I think this a great gift for my friends -- and maybe bring back floriography in a time when beauty and caring is needed. #Floriography #NetGalley

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I don't usually choose books other than novels, but the Floriography cover was beautiful and I couldn't resist. Each page shows you the common name of the flower, its scientific name, its meaning along with its origin and what other flowers you should pair it with according to what you want to convey. All this accompanied by a beautiful illustration of each flower and in an impeccable edition. It is perfect for flower lovers.

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The secret language I didn’t even know I wanted to know!

The delivery of background/etymology/mythology for each flower is brief and organized in such a way that you want to keep reading. The notes were just detailed enough that I genuinely remember aspects of each flower. The accompanying art was very sweet, but I did google some for even more visuals. There’s also a lovely
Glossary in the back for quick reference. Overall, gliding through this read was so soothing.

“Basil’s association with hate comes from the Greeks, who believed the plant’s unfolding leaves to resemble the basilisk’s opening jaws.” Thank you Jessica Roux for my newfound and random obsession with basil. That line going to stick with me forever!

PS: Now I know if anyone ever sends me a bouquet with tansy, petunias, and thistle I gotta get ready to throw hands.

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Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Unfortunately I do not have a capable program to read it in. Thank you.

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“The elegance and beauty of flowers have not dwindled—only our knowledge of their coded meanings.”

An enjoyable and concise way to learn about flower's symbolism and origins. It was fascinating not only to learn about the individual flowers but also why they were given so much meaning in the Victorian era too. The entire book was organized beautifully and I really appreciated the detailed index as well!

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Such a beautiful book. I loved all the quirky facts and the illustrations. I wish that I could put these pictures on my wall

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Have you ever wondered at the hidden meaning behind an odd-looking bouquet? Or what flowers to give a friend without going all romantic? Ever wanted to tell someone to take a hike, but like, in a subtle, Victorian way? Floriography can answer all these burning questions and more! With an alphabetical catalogue of flowers, complete with illustrations and meanings behind each flower, you too can craft meaningful bouquets, thoughtful gifts, and dire warnings to your enemies!
I found this book to be surprisingly informative, beautiful to look at, and intriguing to imagine the importance of flower language in Victorian times. It truly seems to be a lost art, but with this book, one look at the right page can tell you exactly how to comfort a friend's broken heart! Or send a warning to a suspicious sort that you see through their schemes! I thoroughly enjoyed reading the history behind each flower's meaning, and how pairing two or three can send a message to the recipient. It made me want to plant a garden with some specific blooms (though I'll let you guess which ones) just so I could try some of the bouquets listed!
Floriography would be a welcome addition to any hedge witch, dabbler, or curious reader's bookshelf. There's a whimsical feeling to the book, with hand-drawn illustrations, muted colors, and tempting tidbits of knowledge interspersed throughout the pages. It also has a great index at the end for quick reference, if you're in a bit of a rush. My biggest critique would be that I wouldn't mind brighter colors and a bit more detail on the illustrated pages, especially for some of the flashier flowers. I found myself googling ones that I didn't recognize at first glance, so if you're looking for a flower guidebook, this won't be the one for you. All in all, I was delighted to learn so much about some of my favorite flowers, and can't wait to tell my friend that she's named after a flower symbolizing eternal love!

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What a beautiful and gorgeous guide to flowers. Not only does this collection have colourful illustrations but also shows the meanings of each flower and how to assemble different bouquets to explore the different significant codes that change the language of flowers. A great addition to any bookcase.

ARC through NetGalley.

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The descriptions containing the origin and meaning of each flower were interesting, and the illustrations beautiful. (Though I do wish some of the colors were more vibrant and saturated instead of sepia, but that’s more my own personal taste.)

The true beauty of this book, however, is its simplicity. It doesn’t try to cram in as many thousands of filler-y tidbits as humanly possible, which I appreciated, and even its index is elegantly straightforward.

(The index lists flowers usefully grouped by Meaning, under subheadings like “Friendship” or “Warning and Displeasure.”)

It’s a perfect gift for a loved one who enjoys flowers, and beautiful on a coffee table for guests to peruse.

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Beautiful illustrations. Good and simple information about each flower. I wish the illustrations and the text were a bit more interwoven, i feel it would make me as reader more immerse on this flowery universe of secret meanings. As a "catalog", it's beautiful.

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The final non-fiction read I finished was one of the most beautifully illustrated non-fiction read I've read for a while! Floriography is as the title suggests is a gorgeously illustrated read focusing on plants and flowers and their relationship to the Victorian expression of emotion. I adored the illustrations and learning about what emotions and meanings the victorians ascribed to various plants and flowers as well as the origins of the plant names, history, uses and which flowers to pair with each other. I also liked the bouquet suggests at the end of the book. Overall, I think I'll buy a copy of this book when it is released as it is so beautifully illustrated and interesting.

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This book is just lovely.  If you are an artist, you will love the color illustrations.  If you are a history buff, you will find the descriptions of howeach plant has historically been used fascinating.  If you are a wedding planner, your clients would love to tap your new knowledge to build meaningful bouquets.  If you are a florist, you will find new meaning in arranging flowers.  If you are a gardener, you could plan a garden that inspires love, forgiveness, charm ... Just a lovely, lovely book.

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Many books have been published on the Language of Flowers, but this one stands on its own. A gorgeous book with amazing illustrations. I have been following Ms. Roux on Instagram for quite a while due to her talent as regards illustrations. Love her gothic, vintage style and she has never let me down on her endeavors. I highly recommend this book for garden/flower lovers. You won't be disappointed.

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This is a very pretty book of flowers and bouquets but the information is fairly basic. I would also like to see some photos, in addition to the drawings. However, overall a lovely book with solid information and the drawings are beyond beautiful!

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A beautifully illustrated and incredibly informative book!!
I have always found the Victorian flower language to be incredibly interesting, and this is such a perfect book to dig deeper into the different meanings of the (combinations of) flowers. Not only is this book written very accessibly, but the illustrations are so beautiful that I found myself staring at the pages without turning the pages!
A book that you can definitely read from start to finish (because it is so interesting), but also one to keep on hand for reference, should you ever need to send out a bouquet again!

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Floriography by Jessica Roux
Book Review by Dawn Thomas

226 Pages
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Release Date: September 15, 2020

Crafts & Hobbies, Reference

The author discusses the meaning of specific plants and their colors during a time when it was not acceptable to voice emotions. The watercolor line drawings are beautifully done. The book is organized in a way that the reader learns about the flower (meaning, origin and pairs with) and then the drawing is on the following page. I could sit and look at this book all day. Of course, my favorite is the Belladonna. I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys gardening or loves working with flowers.

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Absolutely gorgeous. Jessica Roux's illustration style is a little vintage with rich colors and well done line work. It perfectly complements the subject-the language of flowers. The meanings are concise along with suggested pairings for specific gifts and the like.

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A very beautiful approach. I've read a few other books that covered the topic of the language of flowers but Jessica Roux's Florigraphy is my favorite thus far. The descriptions with illustrations takes it beyond a simple reference book and takes it into the realm of an art book.

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This was a gorgeous collection of flowers and descriptions. All of the illustrations were absolutely breathtaking and I could look at them for hours. The descriptions of the flowers were unique and had new information that made it interesting to read. There were more flowers mentioned than I had expected and I loved learning about each one.

5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley for a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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This is without a doubt a gorgeously illustrated botanical encyclopedia! It starts off by giving you a quick and charming background on what Floriography is, and how it has become a lost language of sorts over the years. Each flower has an introductory page with the meaning, origin and suggestion on what other flowers to pair them with and why. They are then followed up with a beautiful hand drawn illustration of the flower. The author has also provided a Bouquet section that gives you guidance on creating a bouquet based on the meaning you are trying to convey.

My final thoughts: This is a stunning book that I cannot wait to place on my coffee table as a conversation piece! If you are interested in botany, a conversation piece, or looking for a unique gift, I highly recommend this book!
My overall rating: 5/5

Disclosure: I received an eARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

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Described as “a charming, gorgeously illustrated botanical encyclopedia,” this book would make a beautiful addition to anyone’s collection. After an introduction explaining the popularity of the language of flowers in Victorian England and the United States, this collection of information follows a comfortable and predictable rhythm. Readers learn the scientific names, the general meanings, the origins, and the various plant pairings that influence the meanings of flowers. Coupled with this information are beautiful depictions of each plant in question.

The gorgeous illustrations alone make this book a worthwhile read, but Roux’s explanations of each flower’s origins, with attention given to various cultural and geographic customs, add to the benefit of flipping through its pages. The most fascinating part of each flower’s dedicated pages, for me, was the focus given on flower pairings. It was amazing to see the nuances in meaning that occurred as a result of combining certain flowers in one bunch. One example is the bluebell (humility/forgiveness), which can indicate “forgiveness for social norms” or be a “gift for someone preparing for religious sacrament” depending on whether it has been paired with a peony or passionflower respectively.

What makes Roux’s book unique is her section regarding bouquets which follows the encyclopedia of flower meanings. This collection of suggested bouquets provides readers with the circumstances for creating such bouquets (birth, romance, mourning, etc.), suggested flowers (with their meanings), and illustrations of each. Of all the books on the secret language of flowers that I’ve read, this is one of the few that provides readers with a concrete way to incorporate this Victorian tradition into their modern lives. I look forward to the day that this book is released in hardcover so that I may add it to my own collection.

***ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my review.

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This book is just beautiful! The entries to each flower are short, informative and poignant and accompanied by a wonderful illustration. A wonderful book to give as a gift to any flower lover or as an addition to a single flower.

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Floriography is a beautifully illustrated guide to uses and meanings of flowers that date back to Victorian times. I recommend this book for public libraries as well as the perfect gift for anyone with a fondness for flowers and historical meaning.

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I received a free ARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Floriography is undoubtedly a beautiful book with amazing illustrations, great descriptions of the meanings of each flower, and a fun subject. It's definitely a book that would look great on a bookshelf and would be fun to pick up and peruse from time to time.

I wish the book had more than a two-page introduction on the history of the language of flowers and Victorian bouquets. It made me so curious and just didn't satisfy me.

That aside, it's still a great book. The illustrations are beautiful and each flower has a description of its meaning and suggested pairings with other flowers to create more nuanced meanings. I'd recommend this to any flower lover or lover of the Victorian era.

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Perfect for flower lovers!
Has short descriptions about each flower followed by mind blowing illustrations!
🌺
Really like this!👍

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A gorgeously illustrated guidebook that informs readers the historical uses of flowers and how messages and meanings were conveyed through floral symbolism. Moreover, interesting information such as the flower’s meaning, origin, and Latin name are also included. Not only does this book cover a wide range of flowers and herbs, but this book also contains information on bouquets and their meanings (such as marriage, sympathy, friendship, amongst many others).

Overall, this is a charming book filled with information on a vast collection of flowers accompanied by beautiful illustrations. If you’re enticed by the cover, flowers, or merely curious, this book will surely not disappoint! I definitely recommend this book to lovers of flowers and plants. Not only is this a helpful and beautiful read, but it’ll also look elegant in the bookshelf or on the coffee table.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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An absolutely gorgeous book that was everything I wanted it to be. As a woman and researcher in love with both pretty things and symbolism, Floriography is a beautifully illustrated catalogue of the language of flowers. Each flower comes with an illustrated, its meaning, its origins, and other flowers to pair it with to make certain statements. It is marvelously uncomplicated with a simple and straightforward layout and without all the extra fluff many reference books seem to have nowaday.

A perfect addition to anyone’s collection, Floriography is a reference many nonfiction could learn from.

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I’ve always been interested in the meaning behind flowers, and have spend time on the Internet digging through websites and trying to do research. This is a handy, illustrated guide for just that.

Each flower has the meaning, origins, and some pairings listed. I learned a lot in this book, like the fact that cowslip were named for the myth of Saint Peter losing his keys or the story of “The Wild Swans” and nettle. The bouquets section was a great detail as well, and I started thinking of when I might even give such elaborate bouquets to people.

I really love the illustrations. I’ve been interested in botanical illustration lately, so I have a soft spot for it, and Jessica Roux’s style was crisp and also vintage-y with the sepia toned backgrounds. That’s what really made the book for me. The illustrations have great details, bright colors, and lovely line work. Some of my favorites were the bluebell, the dandelion, and the foxglove.

I received a free copy through NetGalley for my honest review.

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Gorgeous book with even more gorgeous illustrations. It’s very interesting how detailed meaning and roots to the meaning are mentioned in the book. Jessica has indeed done a great job.

It’s a wonderful book to gift someone and has stunning interior

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[ESP]
Floriography es un libro adorable y encantador.
91 flores y 10 arreglos más tarde, realmente mi conocimiento sobre la naturaleza se expandió un poco. Es más, el arte y la investigación detrás de Floriography es una de las cosas más preciosas y bellas que he leído.
Super recomendado.
Información que se incluye:
-Una página informativa de cada flor
-Su significado simbólico
-La mitología de la flor.
-Otras flores con las cuales crear otro significado.

*Muy pronto reseña en el blog.

[ENG]
Floriography is so lovely and adorable.
91 flowers and 10 bouquets after, I can say that my knowledge is better than before. What's more, the art and the investigation behind Floriography is one of the most beautiful and precious things I had ever read.
Information that is included:
-A page with information about each flower
-Their symbolic meaning
-The mythology of the flower
-Flowers to pair with an additional meaning.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

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Floriography is a gorgeous reference book for many types of flowers. I enjoyed reading the "history" of each flower and learning more about each one. There are so many that this is an incredible resource. The illustrations are beautiful and there's so much meaning behind each flower. My favorite part of the book is learning about how to create floral arrangements for different occasions and the different pairings. I highly recommend this book!

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I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley. First of all the cover design is what pulled me in. The art in this book is absolute perfection- each picture is so detailed and beautifully coloured! It was a real treat to wander through the pages learning about each of these flowers’ origins and meanings. I loved that includes pairings with other flowers to convey messages to the recipient.
The icing on the cake were the gorgeous bouquets at the end of the book. I can already think of a dozen people I’d purchase this for as a gift.
Definitely check this one out!

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As someone who owns many a ‘language of flowers’ book, I’m always curious as to what new editions can add or wether they can be put together in a way that makes them different. I was so excited when I saw Floriography was available to download and read the whole book in one sitting.

Each flower entry has a beautiful illustration by Jessica who I’ve followed on instagram for a while now, along with the flowers meaning, origin and flowers to pair with it to create meaning, for example;

BASIL
- Meaning: Hate
- Origin: Basils association with hate comes from the Greeks, who believed the plants unfolding leaves to resemble the Basilik’s opening jaws. The Greeks also associated hatred with the Basilik’s glare, because the legendary serpent could kill with just one glance.
- Pair with...: Lavender for betrayal. Oleander as a warning to someone you distrust.

What I really enjoyed about this edition and what made it stand out from others were the ‘origins’ sections detailing how each flower got its association, often involving mythology or fables, and at the very end of the book there’s a section on bouquets and what flowers to put together to create a meaningful bouquet which I’ve never seen in other ‘language of flower’ type books, for example;

“A bouquet for friendship; combine the following in a bouquet fastened with a teal chiffon ribbon.
- Zinnia for everlasting friendship
- Apple blossom for preference
- Pansy for a friend you think of often
- Eucalyptus for protection and to strengthen the bond of friendship, so that it may last throughout the years.”

This was such an enjoyable read as someone who has some previous knowledge of plants and flowers, but would also be the perfect gift for someone just getting into the subject or wanting to learn more in a aesthetically pleasing, fun and accessible format.

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For anyone you wants to do a deep dive into Victorian flower language and symbolism, this is a great reference book. And the illustrations are beautiful! What makes this book different from other flower language books is that there is a section for each entry giving examples of combinations you can use that particular flower with along with certain other flowers to create more elaborate messages with your arrangements.

I received a free e-ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

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I love reading Victorian-era historical fiction. During that period, different flowers had different meanings, and most people knew the "language of flowers", or floriography. So it was interesting to take a glimpse at that language, in this beautifully illustrated guide. Each flower's profile includes the meaning, the origin and suggested pairings. The era of the flower language ended about the time of World War I, but this book was fun to browse through!

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Absolutely gorgeous illustrations for each showcase the beauty of each individual flower and for the bouquets. Fascinating to learn the meaning of each flower as well as a typical bouquet based on a message you would like to convey. Anyone who loves flowers should really enjoy persusing this book
Highly recommended!

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I absolutely LOVED this book. It has jumped to the top of my favorite books read in 2020 list. It is both gorgeous and really interesting. Not only are there beautiful illustrations of each flower, but also included are the meaning and origin of each flower and suggestions for other flowers to pair with them. It is well researched and really nicely done.

Hands down, my favorite part of this book is the addition of poisonous flowers. I am fascinated with poisonous flowers, so when I came across Belladonna, Foxglove, and Hemlock, I actually squealed with delight.

Although I was given an eARC from Netgalley to offer my honest review, I will definitely be buying my own hard copy for my bookshelf.

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This is the book that you never searched for but, upon reading it, found that you had to have it. The illustrations are luscious and the information reads like a set of Tarot cards.

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I honestly love books like these. I love the pictures, I love learning about plants, especially gorgeous flowers, and I love learning about meanings and the symbolism behind various plants and how to use them. This is a great book and I love the kindle version, but it would be a good physical book to own.

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I love books--especially beautiful books!! This book is a little treasure for flower enthusiasts. My best friend has a flower farm and I'm already planning to purchase a copy for her as a gift. Not only is the language of flowers fascinating, but the illustrations added a vintage feel that was fitting for a Victorian-era theme.

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Absolutely beautiful full page illustrations of flowers and the meanings behind them along with some ideas for bouquets and when to use them. I’ll definitely be getting the print edition of this, it’s just so beautiful! Perfect coffee table book for a gardener or flower lover or someone interested in Victorian culture since all the meaning come from that era.

*Review will be posted to blog www.elainehowlin.com on release date

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This is so lovely. I feel like this is just the type of book to read in a quiet afternoon over tea. Floriography is the Victorian costume of communication via flowers and it's so nice to have a little insight into this part of humanity. Sometimes history can be gentle too.

This little archive contains the meaning and lore behind the flowers/plants and a beyond gorgeous illustration of each of them. It can be read in one very atmospheric sitting and it gave me a newfound love for the little things in life.

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Floriography is a beautiful compilation of various florals and their meanings. Each flower is dedicated two pages, one with the scientific and common names, meaning and origin of meaning, and flowers to pair with it, and the other page a beautiful illustration of the flower in bloom. The book ends with several bouquet suggestions for different purposes.
This book would make an excellent gift for anyone interested in floriculture or gardening. It is also perfect to reference when gifting floral arrangements if you want to convey a particular meaning. Overall, a fantastically done book!

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This is a gorgeous books, lovingly illustrated with images of flowers, each of which has a section of information on their meaning. I looked at this with a friend and it sparked many interesting comments.

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This encyclopedia of the language of flowers is absolutely beautiful and lovely. It is also incredibly easy to read and well laid out in an organized fashion. The flowers are set in alphabetical order and each one includes a gorgeous illustration accompanied by the meanings of it and the origins of those meanings as well as what other flowers it is paired with. I am excited to keep returning to this book as a reference.

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Floriography by Jessica Roux provides the reader with a neat and fascinating compilation of various flowers and their meaning in "the Language of Flowers" during the Victorian era. The illustrations provided for each flower are beautiful and if you don't know the flower in question, it makes you want to look them up.

I really appreciated that there were background information from history or myths for some of the flowers so the reader got a sense of how and why the flowers had these associations.

Also, for each flower, extra two meanings that can be conveyed when used with other flowers are given, so you can admire the subtlety of such a mode of communication.

The use of flowers to convey emotions and thoughts, beyond general appreciation and love might be over, but this book gives you a great opportunity to learn that they used to mean much more in detail.

I specifically recommend this book to everyone interested in Victorian era or flowers. I had so many friends ask me what I was reading even if they had no particular interest in these two though, so don't let that stop you if these two aren't usually your cup of tea!

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The language of flowers, picking flowers that show your feelings, is an art form that was probably perfected in the Victorian era and has been nearly forgotten since then. Yes, of course, you know what red roses represent, or forget-me-nots, but what about tulips, daisies, or cowslips?

This book offers information on what feelings the individual flowers represent, as well as some historical information on the origin of the name, or use.

I especially liked the full colour illustrations of the individual flowers, the bouquet suggestions, and the indexes in the back of the book.

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I've often wondered at the meaning behind flowers and from my love of historical romances, I knew that each flower had a particular meaning. For example, red roses signify romantic love and yellow are a sign of friendship. I've always wondered about other flowers and their meanings, and I jumped at the chance to review this book. This is an excellent reference for anyone who has ever wondered at the meaning behind a particular flower or the best arrangement to create to perfectly convey your feelings. Beautifully illustrated, this book is simply written and a delight to read.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Floriography was a very fascinating read. I’m not too well-versed on flower language, and this book turned out to be a good place to start. This book was arranged in a two page profile style format, with brief definitions to accompany the matching illustration. I do have to note that Roux’s illustrations were gorgeous. The book cover alone is enough of an example of the kind of work put into Floriography, and the overall presentation of the flowers and information was enjoyable to read. It was also cool to find out about all the meanings applied to the flowers and where that sort of came from. I also enjoyed the section on bouquets, as well as the parts that explained what each flower could be paired with and what kind of meaning would come from it.

Floriography was definitely a guidebook. I liked it, and I’m certainly interested in reading more about the subject. If you’ve wanted to learn a little about flower language, or were looking for a place to start—especially in a Victorian era context—then you might want to consider giving this book a try.

Disclaimer: This copy of the book was provided by the publisher (Andrews McMeel Publishing) via netgalley for this review, thank you!

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This is a beautiful book. The author gives the meaning and origin for each flower along with, recommendations of flower pairings. Every flower is also beautifully illustrated, each on its own full page. The illustrations are stunning and are individual pieces of art. At the end, the author gives example bouquet floral combinations, each having their own specific meaning - a fun way of conveying a specific message to someone using flowers. If you love flowers, floral arranging or botanical illustration, I highly recommend this book. Even if you don't, this would make a great gift or a nice addition to your coffee table book collection.

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This was a beautiful gift or coffee table book. The illustrations were gorgeous and I loved learning about the meanings of flowers.

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I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great book!

The drawings of flowers and bouquets are beautiful! There's short descriptions about what each flower represents, some history of the meaning, and suggestions on what to pair it with depending on what kind of message you're wanting to send.

It's a really unique look at some Victorian traditions. I wish there was more information on the flower and details on if they were seasonal or where they'd grow. Like were olive branches abundant in Victorian England? Did everyone have access to some of these highly poisonous plants and was it normal to send them to people?? Some context for how these messages were agreed to mean what they mean would have also been interesting.

This was a quick and informative read that definitely left me wanting more.

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I asked for this book because one of my friends keeps talking about plants and she got me intrigued! I didn't think I would be this delighted by flowers and their significance!

It was both charming and instructive!
Charming thanks to the subject, the way it was broached and the author's illustrations! I loved her style! Actually, I felt good looking at them: I love the atmosphere Jessica Roux created in a few pages.
Instructive because we learn something about Victorian society. We discover that, as people at this time never talked about their feelings, they expressed them through plants and, mostly, flowers. I find this so poetic! Just crossing the path of a friend could mean you knew what happened to them or what they thought/felt just by looking at which flower they were carrying! No need to write a letter, you could just send a bouquet and your friend knew what you meant! It is so fascinating and inspiring! Some flowers still mean the same today, like forget-me-nots or roses; others are less obvious. It was really enchanting to learn where some meanings came from, be it history, mythology or classic literature! I even found explanations for names in some works of fiction thanks to this book!

It was great to have significance for flowers but also a part about bouquets! I now want to offer some to friends and family, and to fill my house with colors and floral meanings!

I'm sure I'll buy a physical copy of this book, just so I can find which flower to offer at the perfect time!

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Very interesting and beautiful artwork. This book is different from any other I have read on the subject. Clear and to the point without it being wordy.

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I was so drawn in by the stunning cover of this book, and I'm so glad I came across it! I've been interested in learning about the language of flowers for such a long time, as I find them so beautiful and alluring. The art is lost on us today in the 21st century, but I appreciate that there can still be meaning found in the selection of flowers. What separates each flower from the rest, and what makes it special?

There were SO many flowers - and I wasn't expect that! I appreciate the amount of work that went into the gorgeous illustrations that match each description. I found the descriptions brief, but to the point. I love the detail of adding reccomendations to pair with each flower, to further the special meaning one wishes to convey. I think adding a location for each flower would be helpful, to understand what grows in your own area.

This was beautiful, inspiring, and very informative. I loved it!

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