Horticultural historian and novelist Jennifer Potter considers how the lotus, lily, sunflower, opium poppy, rose, tulip and orchid have enflamed hearts and minds around the world. Potter looks at how these seven flowers originated and at the nature of their power. She shows how the opium poppy returned to haunt its originators in the West and how Confucius saw virtue and modesty in the orchid while the Greeks saw only sex. Above all, Potter demonstrates how these seven flowers have come to be metaphors for life, death, purity, passion, greed, envy, virtue, hope and consolation.

Potter, a published novelist, writes extensively about the history and culture of plants. Her recent books include Strange Blooms and The Rose, A True History.

Sponsored by Floris of London.