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Do you know what you are saying when you give a gift of flowers or plants? What's the difference between a red rose and white one? Why shouldn't you give your spouse a yellow carnation or a pumpkin flower? The answers to these questions lie in the traditional meanings of the plants. Even fruits and vegetables have meanings - potato for beneficence, raspberry for apology - and all of them are historically documented in this book. You'll learn how to be cold and cruel and warm and caring just by choosing different plants for a bouquet.

Ms. Gips has spent nearly twenty years researching the historical meanings associated with plants. This updated, expanded version of her previous book contains authentic meanings for more than 700 plants, including 40 rose forms. Anyone - lay or professional - who designs theme gardens, floral arrangements, wreaths, or any kind of herbal or floral gift will find this one-of-a-kind book indispensable.

KATHLEEN GIPS, leading American authority on the traditional meanings of plants, has just published an updated and greatly expanded edition of her popular book, The Language of Flowers. Her decades of exhaustive research make Flora's Dictionary the most authentic and authoritative reference available on the meanings assigned to herbs and flowers during the Victorian era.

Like the previous work, Flora's Dictionary draws on many rare 19th century references. Ms Gips has taken pains not only to chronicle the floral sentiments of the day, but also to express the essence of the Victorian age and of the floral dictionaries in which the meanings were recorded. A profusion of Victorian poetry, prose, and artwork demonstrates and explains the nature and origins of the complex floral language.

Besides the wealth of material from the previous book, Flora's Dictionary incorporates dozens of illustrations several individually hand-colored by the artist and hundreds of meanings from the very first American floral dictionary, published in 1829. Readers familiar with Ms. Gips's previous book will be delighted with the expanded utility and enhanced beauty of Flora's Dictionary, which was designed and produced, and its introductory text edited, by publications specialist David Merrill.

"Years of research have made this the most comprehensive floral dictionary available"

• The most comprehensive American Language of Flowers dictionary of the meanings of herbs, flowers, trees, shrubs, even weeds - "a complete floral thesaurus"
• Delightful, interesting reading about nineteenth century Victorian flower customs from cover to cover
• Extensive listing of plants common to Victorian gardens
• Includes history of the Language of Flowers and Victorian use of floral dictionaries
• Text and illustrations complied from floral dictionaries circa 1830-1870 including original line drawings and color posies
• Indispensable guide to plant symbolism and suitable meanings for all occasions
• Desirable information for the herby and flower gardener, the tussie mussie enthusiast and those interest in Victorian plants and culture
• Quick dictionary reference format with listings by plant and by sentiment
• Includes floral clock, floral calendar, floral parlor game
• Appropriate for reference, gifts, workshops and lectures
• Beautiful full-color cover and color inserts of Victorian tussie mussies, soft-bound, laminated cover
• More than 700 dictionary inclusions, over 200 pages
• Second completely revised edition has over 100 new entries, dozens of new illustrations, and additional reference material

ORDER YOURS TODAY and give new meaning to floral arrangements for special occasions, herbal gifts and crafts, and even your home garden....

Are you interested in purchasing Flora's Dictionary? For a personalized autographed Flora's Dictionary, click here to fill out our online form and the Village Herb Shop will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

What people are saying about Flora's Dictionary:

Neither gardeners nor scholars should miss this thorough and authentic yet whimsical floral treat. As Floras Lexicon stated in 1839, A volume furnishing a complete interpretation of those meanings most generally attached to flowers has become a desirable if not an essential part of a gentlemans or ladys library. I can take a hint: I just ordered 18 copies for my shop!

- Sharon Lovejoy, Hearts Ease Herbs

Kathleen Gips has done the gardening world a tremendous service by bringing together I one elegant little book more than a century and a half of literary references to floral symbolism. Her efforts allow us not only to infuse our gardens and gifts with deeper meaning, but also to glimpse the hues and fragrances of a richly sentimental age. Agrimony, Kathleen.

- David Merrill, International Herb Association

Floras Dictionary is a delightful and accurate guide. I use it as my primary reference in the development of products based on herbal and floral meanings, when we design fresh tussie-mussies for weddings, and in class and lecture preparation.

- Betsy Williams, The Proper Season

In a small, concise paperback book, Ms. Gips has placed a tremendous amount of valuable information on the language of flowers while maintaining a very Victorian style with the use of numerous Victorian sketches and colored photos. The floral information is complete and accurate, and the dictionary of Flora's Sentiments is easy to use. This is a must-have book for those studying or enjoying the language of flowers.

- James Moretz, Director, American Floral Art School

I find that Kathleen Gips's book on the language of flowers is an excellent reference for programs for children and for all kinds of activities with plants. I use it to create meaningful flower arrangements and tussie-mussies. It contains great detail on the meaning of flowers and is well organize and thorough - I keep it right next to my desk so it's always there when I need it.

- Holly H. Shimizu, Chief Horticulturist, United States Botanic Garden

Flora's Dictionary is a delightful and accurate guide. I use it as my primary reference in the development of products based on herbal and floral meanings, when we design fresh tussie-mussies for weddings, and in class and lecture preparation.

- Betty H. Stevens, Past President, The Herb Society of America

Flora's Dictionary is indispensable in our shop, where we're known for our herbs, wreaths, bouquets, and tussie-mussies for special occasions. Of the several books on this subject, we use this one as our florigraphic dictionary again and again. It's an important resource for our potpourri classes, part of our bride's display area, and in our garden books section. We can't keep it in stock around Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. It gives gardeners new design ideas for their home gardens, and it helps our customers give something extra special to their friends.

- Lucia and Michael Bettler, Owners, Lucia's Garden

This engaging little book can teach you a new language - one that's as much fun today as it was in Victorian England. Flowery sentiments will flow from your garden.

-Kathleen Halloran, Editor, The Herb Companion Magazine

This beautiful, sentimental book on the meaning of flowers is a perfect gift for those who love herbs and flowers or are devotees of the Victorian era. I can envision a group of friends in the mid-1800's carefully selecting the appropriate flowers for a tussie-mussie, wanting it to be the most meaningful possible. This book is my choice for gifts for very special friends.

- Jeri Schwartz, fine arts and antiques dealer and member, International Society of Appraisers

If you want to "say it with flowers", this book will help you do just that. From Alyssum (worth beyond beauty) to Zinnia (thoughts of absent friends), this floral dictionary will help you say it best.

- Debbie Cravens, Owner, Wood Violet Books

With 200 pages of floral dictionaries, plant symbolism, and quick reference guides, Kathleen Gips's Floral Dictionary is a treat fro tussie-mussie lovers, Anglophiles, and sentimental gift givers. Use it as a quick reference guide or read it cover to cover for a charming floral history lesson.

- Herb Quarterly Magazine

An indispensable guide for the tussie-mussie lover and those interested in the meanings of herbs and flowers.

- Phyllis Shaudys, Author, The Pleasure of Herbs

Flora's Dictionary is about the most complete floral dictionary I have seen. It is a must for folklorists and students of horticultural history and Victoriana. If you are a floral designer or herbal wedding consultant, or offer classes or workshops, this book would be a real treat. I recommend it.

- Paula Oliver, Editor, The Business of Herbs Magazine

How much does Flora's Dictionary cost?

• $16.95 each plus $3.95 for priority mail shipping
• Autographed by the author and personalized to recipient upon request

How do I order Flora's Dictionary?

• By Mail: Send check payable to Village Herb Shop. Include your name and shipping address with phone number.
• By Phone: Call (800) 836-9120 to place your order with VISA/MC or Discover during the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST Monday through Saturday.

Wholesale rate available to business owners. Please inquire.