Chris Beardshaw is one of those rare educators who is able to communicate complicated subjects easily and with enthusiasm. He is a popular speaker on horticultural subjects at British educational institutions and on TV. This light-weight, handy-size book (a perfect companion for a traveler and those bed-bound) contains a collection of 100 concise reflections on the relationships that man has had with plants. Pointing out the chemical components that make each plant attractive, he tells how each plant earned its name and the part that it played in history. This digest of information will provide many delightful hours of reading for a gardener.--Marilyn K. Alaimo "Chicago Botanic Garden, December 2013 "

Chris beardshaw is an award winning garden designer, television presenter and author. He trained in horticulture and landscape design, and after lecturing widely now focuses on fronting and co-hosting tv programmes such as The Flying Gardener, Hidden Gardens, Gardeners' World, Great Garden Detectives and Country Lives.