Ruth Binney has been studying the natural world for most of her life. She holds a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and has been involved in countless publications during her career as an editor. She is the author of many successful natural history and gardening books including Weeds on Trial 9781910821275, Flower Garden Secrets 9781910821428, The English Countryside 9781910821459 and Coasts 9781910821398. She lives in Cardiff.
This little hardback is full of intriguing floral trivia. Unashamedly a gift book, author Binney dusts down the archives and discovers fascinating facts about flowers. These include, found at random. how Spanish priests started growing cosmos in the 16th century and that the Primrose League was founded in 1883 to uphold Conservative principles. The book is somewhat akin to the flood of recent gardening almanacks, which show that the internet has not dimmed gardeners' desire to read about their pastime, perhaps while watching the flowers grow or the rain fall. -- Matthew Appleby * Hort Week *