KATHY WILLIS is director of science at Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. She is also professor of long-term ecology and a fellow of Merton College, both at Oxford University. Winner of several awards, she has spent over 20 years researching and teaching biodiversity and conservation at Oxford and Cambridge. CAROLYN FRY is the former editor of Geographical, the magazine of the Royal Geographic Society and has travelled the world in search of stories. She has written five successful books, including the acclaimed Plant Hunters.
An aesthetic, historical and scientific journey through the flowering of botany as a science. This beautifully illustrated book, replete with botanical plates, scientific engravings and fine photographs, is nearly as much of a treat as a visit to the gardens - New Scientist An accessible introduction, enriched by archive images - Independent Lavished with beautiful, never-before seen photographs and illustrations, this book offers something for everyone - drama, adventure, history, science and innovation. A must-read - BBC Country File The fascinating history of some of the plants we take for granted - BBC Wildlife Vivid, immersive and fascinating, this book takes the reader on a global voyage of discovery, travelling through time and tide to ?chart the incredible stories behind myriad plants - English Garden A fascinating portrait - Sunday Times Lively, thought-provoking and scholarly - Garden Design