100 Plants that Almost Changed the World - Softcover

From cars made of carrot to tea-smuggling spies, from Popeye's spinach to the hallucinogenic effects of lettuce, renowned garden expert Chris Beardshaw takes us on a journey through 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!

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 recognised as a real ambassador for the industry. 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.