A Victorian Flower Dictionary: The Language of Flowers Companion (original 2011; edition 2011)

A Victorian Flower Dictionary by Mandy Kirkby and Vanessa Diffenbaugh is a wonderful companion to Diffenbaugh’s novel, The Language of Flowers. Beginning with a few introductory pages Diffenbaugh writes that, “In every culture throughout time, flowers have been central to the human experience.” The book is arranges in alpha order from anemone to weeping willow and illustrates in simple two color illustration the flower that is being defined and explored. There are fifty flowers highlighted and the information and poetry is descriptive. As Diffenbaugh explains, this book was designed as a relevant dictionary for the modern reader and it serves that function well. If you are a lover of flowers and exploring their history and meanings, this would be a good addition to your library. Happy reading and gardening. ( )

A red rose means love, everyone knows that. How about Canterbury Bells or Mistletoe then? Most people know that flowers convey certain feelings and while we still revert to a floral language by giving flower bouquets on special occasions, much of the meaning behind the individual flowers has been reduced to a very limited and generalized one since Victorian times.
Mandy Kirkby presents a wonderful book with The Language Of Flowers: A Miscellany, the official companion to the novel of the same title by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Enveloped with beautiful illustrations and poetry, you learn about the meaning and history of fifty different flowers. Short and crisp the author introduces each flower in a perfect blend of information and fascinating references of how a certain flower makes an appearance in certain books, poems, or even paintings. An emotional dictionary and the suggestions on composing posies for specific occasions such as courtship, births, or funerals round off this miscellany.
Just like similar books were meant for the coffee table, to be studied and indulged in, in Victorian times, this adorable book has invited me more than once to browse in it since first reading it. If you've ever been fascinated by flowers and their meaning, I can only recommend this lovely compendium. It goes without saying it also makes for a lovely gift to a good friend. Just don't forget to include a freesia when you present it!
In short: A gorgeous gift book in best Victorian tradition! ( )

Most South Africans steer clear of those books of the secret language of flowers [why it’s still a secret after the many books published on the subject is a mystery] so beloved of the Victorians because they contain completely foreign names like Bells of Ireland, Everlasting Pea and Wax Flower.

Kirkby is English and her book does contain some unusual [to us] flowers but for the most part they are common garden favourites that thrive in South Africa, such as the nasturtium, rose, daisy – and 47 others.

The entries are arranged alphabetically, and each contains a drawing, the meaning of the plant, its history, some cultural references and a verse about the flower – usually taken from a Victorian poet. There is also an ‘emotional index’ and suggestions of flowers for special occasions.

It must be mentioned that the drawings, although charming, are inept and that the book was conceived as a companion volume to foreword writer Vanessa Diffenbaugh’s debut novel [‘The Language of Flowers’ redux] but none of that detracts from the appeal of the book, delightfully designed, satisfyingly sized and altogether delectable. ( )