Advolly Richmond – A Short History of Flowers. Book launch and talk

The Event

Join Advolly at this talk, book launch and signing event taking place at the Historic Gardens and Hall.

Advolly Richmond, presenter on the popular BBC TV’s Gardener’s World, unravels the surprising histories of 60 flowers that shape our gardens.

Advolly, until recently a Trustee for Castle Bromwich Gardens Trust, will be sharing some of the fascinating and strange stories behind the flowers that have become so familiar to our back gardens.

After the talk in the Hall, Advolly will be available to sign books (on sale for talk ticket holders at a reduced rate on the day only).

The beautifully illustrated book will also be available in the Gardens’ shop.

Tickets are £12, which includes:

• Advolly’s talk in the Hall (13:30 – 15:30)
• Access to the Gardens and drawing opportunities all day
• Reception refreshments.

Add on a purchase of the book, at reduced price of £14 for the day only (RRP £16.99) for signing after the event.

A Short History of Flowers – the book

Have you ever wondered where your favourite garden flowers came from? Where their names are derived from? Or why some cultivars go in and out of favour?

Every flower we grow has a story, and in this book the author takes you on a tour of the most intriguing, surprising and enriching ones.

Tales of exploration, everlasting love and bravery bring these beautiful flowers to life. The author has dug down to uncover the royalty, scholars, pioneers and a smuggler or two that have all played a part in discovering and cultivating some of our favourite species. From the lavish and exotic bougainvillea, found by an 18th century female botanist in disguise, to the humble but majestic snowdrop casting a spell and causing a frenzy.

Advolly brings alive the people who introduced and cultivated some of our favourite plants and shares the juicy tales that made some flowers so well known.

A Short History of Flowers is packed with remarkable stories of exploration, heartbreak, fashion and ambition all brought to life with intricate artworks from botanical illustrator and Royal Horticultural Society Gold Medal Award winner, Sarah Jane Humphrey. This beautiful book is the perfect gift for every plant and garden lover.

Drawing in the Gardens

Visitors to the Gardens on this day may also come across botanical artists (From Birmingham Society of Botanical Artists) sketching the season’s flowers.

They’re happy to be asked questions and they’ll encourage you to pick up a pencil and take a line for a walk there and then too.