The reason for flowers: their history, culture, biology, and how they change our lives

Sexuality and origins. Attracting attention ; Flowers and their ancestors ; The pollinators

Growing, breeding, and selling. Pleasure gardens, ancient and modern ; Flowers for eternity ; Best of show ; Arriving by jumbo jet

Foods, flavors, scents. Eating flowers ; A little dab behind the ear

Flowers in literature, art, and myth. The secret language of flowers ; Flowers on the page ; Flower power : the meaning of flowers in art

Flowers in the service of science and medicine. The flower and the scientist ; Good for what ails us : healing our bodies and minds

Appendix 1. Flower statistics

Appendix 2. Cooking with flowers : selected recipes

Appendix 3. After bringing them home : caring for your cut flowers

Appendix 4. Online resources for wildflower and pollinator conservation organizations.