★ This volume compiles three classic works on the art of floral arrangement from the Ming dynasty: Manual of Vase Flowers, History of Vase Flowers, and Monthly Guide to Vase Flowers. It systematically presents Ming-era techniques for vase arrangements and the seasonal pairing of floral materials, serving both as a guide to understanding traditional floral art and as practical instruction for contemporary arrangers.
★ The original authors include renowned Ming literati such as Yuan Hongdao and floral art expert Tu Benjun. Their works masterfully balance artistry and practicality, comprehensively discussing key aspects like vessels, water selection, and branch trimming, making this collection a precious repository of traditional flower-arranging culture.
★ Monthly Guide to Vase Flowers organizes suitable floral materials and their primary/secondary pairings according to the twelve months, aligning with seasonal rhythms. It provides precise, season-specific floral reference for arrangement enthusiasts.
★ The book includes introductory notes, prefaces, and appendices. Its well-structured format and clear interpretations make it suitable both for professionals studying advanced techniques and for general readers seeking to enrich their leisure time and aesthetic appreciation.

The Chinese Historical Horticulture Classics Collection comprises 8 volumes:
"Living Among Flowers"
"A Record of Appreciating Flowers"
"Manual of Celebrated Flowers"
"Notes on Cultivation from Jianpu"
"Cultivation Secrets & Aesthetic Pleasures"
"The Nine Honors, Nine Grades and Thirty Distinguished Guests Among Flowers"
"The Phenology and Seasonal Patterns of Flowers"
"Three Masterpieces of Ming Dynasty Flower Arrangement Art"

Ming dynasty floral arrangement art emphasized aesthetic structure, adhering to the natural ecology and inherent tendencies of plant materials, following their natural form and principles. Manual of Vase Flowers, History of Vase Flowers, and Monthly Guide to Vase Flowers are three classic works from this period in China. Among them, Manual of Vase Flowers and History of Vase Flowers approach the subject from a technical standpoint, offering a comprehensive and systematic discussion on all aspects of the floral art. Monthly Guide to Vase Flowers is a specialized treatise that records, according to seasonal availability and in primary-secondary pairing combinations, the floral materials suitable for arrangement in each month of the year.

This volume brings these three works together, aiming to foster an understanding of ancient Chinese floral arrangement art, thereby guiding modern practice and enriching our leisure lives.