Blooming Marvellous: A Wildflower Hunter's Year

by Zoe Devlin

'Whenever I see the first cowslips of the year, I imagine myself back in a field near Sandyford, County Dublin, in the mid 1950s ...' Zoë Devlin has viewed her whole life through green-tinted glasses, describing herself as an 'unofficial ambassador for weeds, wasps and wagtails'. What began as a childhood delight in wildflowers grew into a hobby, then blossomed into an enduring passion. She recalls her encounters with various species, divulging the history of where she discovered them alongside tales from her own life. Skilfully interweaving her captivating memories with her expertise, each chapter celebrates a particular month, capturing the beauty and joy it has to offer: birds, butterflies, mammals and even tasty recipes, from nettle soup in April to blackberry-and-apple jam in September. She writes fondly of those who helped her knowledge of our flora, particularly members of her extended family, such as her watercolourist great-aunt, Gladys Wynne, and her cousin, 1916 veteran Dr Kathleen Lynn. By turns witty, informative, dark and bizarre, Zoë opens our eyes to the beauty all around us, whatever the time of year. Her uplifting recollections will encourage readers to identify, understand and savour the plant life that so often goes unnoticed beneath our feet she hopes, in this way, to help preserve it.

336 pages, Hardcover

Published September 17, 2018

Reviews

[Brian Gormley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 out of 5. This is a lovely, gentle read that transports you in time and space through Ireland, and gives little vignettes about wildflowers. Zoe Devlin is a legend among naturalists in Ireland, and in this book she relates stories about finding plants through each month of the year. The descriptions and photographs of plants are interspersed with reminisces of holidays, walking trips, and her childhood in Ireland. Her infectious enthusiasm will have you sprawled in a bog with a hand-lens scrutinising an orchid before you know what's happening. Zoe only started her highly successful website on wildflowers after she retired, which is quite inspirational. However, it's clear from her writing that her passion, curiosity and energy have powered the success of the website and this book.
One of the best Irish nature books I've read in a while.

[Sarah Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't been aware that the book was set in Ireland - not that it mattered - so sites and species were encountered with which I was not familiar.
Divided into months, each section includes a small and manageable number of species and includes anecdotes and information about related subjects. Easy to read, it's not a list of very species seen but a charming tour around Ireland through the eyes of a botanist.

[Laurie Heupel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good read, as Ms. Devlin takes you through the year and shares stories and lots of good information about the wildflowers. The descriptions and photographs show the plant as it would be during the year. It was one of the best nature books I have read in a long time.