Celebrated plantsman Roy Lancaster’s birth on 5th December 1937 was the start of something big for plants and horticulture. His chance find of a Mexican tobacco plant in a local allotment brought him fame as a Bolton schoolboy and sowed the seeds of his future career.
This book is the story of his adventures as he sees tropical plants for the first time in the jungles of Malaya, meets Roberto Burle Marx at his garden near Rio de Janeiro, and hunts for pitcher plants in North America.
Well-known for his encylopedic botanical knowledge and for introducing many popular garden plants, Roy is also a consummate story-teller and wise philosopher. His acute sense of life’s comic moments, spirited sense of adventure and respect for the natural world make this a remarkable read.
"
This attractive book, its cover a representational explosion of scarlet flowers
against hinted-at distant mountains, is aptly energetic in style.
Judy Harry, Hardy Plant Journal
" - Hardy Plant Journal
"
Turning the pages of his autobiographical book, I feel that I am literally travelling with him as he leads me and other readers on this tour of his plant life.
Harry Baldwin, The Horticulturist
" - The Horticulturist
"
A delight for armchair explorers and aspiring plant hunters, it will open your eyes to the wonders of the natural world.
Gardens Illustrated
" - Gardens Illustrated
"
An inspiring book by one of the greatest plantsmen of our time. I can’t recommend it enough!
Dan Crowley, Westonbirt Magazine
" - Westonbirt Magazine
"
I recommend you read this beautifully produced and lavishly illustrated book which allows us to share time with the woody plant genius that is Roy Lancaster.
Rosie Peddle, The Mediterranean Garden
" - The Mediterranean Garden
