A Pop-Up Field Guide to North American Wildflowers

2012

A Pop-Up Field Guide to North American Wildflowers is not merely a floral survey. This field guide is also a cultural survey—namely, an essay detailing a 21st century “Language of Flowers.” Here’s an excerpt:

“Last year I bought a house previously owned by a 60-year-old woman. She planted the quintessential “old lady” flowers: roses, hydrangea, peonies. My changes to the garden are distinctly contemporary; I’m planting natives and unusual specimens in diverse beds. It recently occurred to me that our shifting tastes in gardening should be accompanied by a new floral language that reflects contemporary culture. For example: if some past maiden wanted some past sailor to remember her love when he was away at sea, her going-away gift to him would be forget-me-nots. Here are some ideas for a 21st century floral language...”

Shawn Sheehy concepted, engineered and designed this field guide. Sarah Vogel letterpress printed the text. Both contributed to assembly. All stock is commercial cover in varying weights from various manufacturers. The type on the pop-up spreads was hand set in Italian. All other type was digitally set in Italian Electric and output to polymer plates. Edition of 30. Sold out. photo credit: Julia Stotz