100 Plants That Almost Changed the World

From cars made of carrot to tea-smuggling spies; Popeye's spinach to the hallucinogenic effects of lettuce, the author takes us on a journey though history's most fascinating plants, flowers, vegetables and herbs: the ones that changed the world, the ones that almost did, and the ones that certainly didn't.

Fresh, dynamic and hugely creative, Chris Beardshaw is one of the leading lights in the world of gardening. On screen and on air, Chris is loved by millions for his ability to communicate and share his rich vein of knowledge with warmth and enthusiasm. Off screen he is equally admired for his huge variety of work in design and education, where he is recognized as a real ambassador for the industry. As a young adult Chris trained and worked in horticulture but it was his love of art and design that led him to a degree and post graduate studies in Landscape Architecture, making him one of the few presenters who combines both disciplines. His connection with people and ability to communicate have been picked up by horticultural colleges and he teaches around the country. He is particularly associated with The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Duchy College and Birmingham City University; he is a Trustee of Capel Manor College. Chris heads up a private design practice and has undertaken commissions for a number of high profile projects for clients such as English Heritage, The RSPB, RNLI and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre. He is a regular columnist for The English Garden and Garden News, and is the author of three books. Chris's broadcasting experience spans 14 years; notable programmes include: Apples: British to the Core (BBC4), Wild About Your Garden (BBC1), The Flying Gardener (BBC2), Gardeners' World (BBC2), Hidden Gardens (BBC2), and many more. He is also a long-standing, regular panellist on BBC Radio 4's popular Gardeners' Question Time.