Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

Botanica Fantastica brings to life the astonishing fictional plant creations of some of the world's favourite authors and creators. Featuring over 100 illustrations, specially drawn by artist Emma Tudor-Bloch to visualise these species as if real, this book will combine expert analysis of these iconic creations and the worlds they inhabit, as well as exploration of the real-life species that inspired the authors. From Middle Earth and Hogwarts to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Zelda, and from red weed and cordyceps to piranha plants and triffids, every self-respecting fantasy or supernatural imagining has its own botanical world full of characterful and powerful plants. Created with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and New Scientist comment and culture editor Alison Flood, Botanica Fantastica is a sumptuously illustrated journey into the bizarre botanical creations of some of science fiction and fantasy's most ingenious minds.

As you wander through the gardens at Kew, stretching across two-thirds of the grounds lies the arboretum. This great collection contains trees as old as the Gardens themselves, many that cannot be found anywhere else in Britain. It is a unique spectacle, full of luscious species, towering redwoods, and hidden life within its branches. Throughout the year, you'll find the protectors of this mighty collection. Named the Tree Gang, this team of eight care for the trees across the whole of Kew Gardens. From their daily tree assessments to the intermittent tree felling, journey with the gang to discover why the gang's work is more crucial than ever. AMONG THE GIANTS shares heartwarming stories alongside the fascinating insights into the secret life of trees and how they change throughout the seasons - all from the comfort of your armchair.

The magical use of edible plants - from the orchard and vineyard to the fig pit and hedgerow - is a tale as old as time. From Persephone's pomegranates in ancient Greek myth to dragon fruit being born of the mythical creature's fiery breath, and from hazel trees growing at the end of the world to breaking fast with dates, almost every ingredient in an ancient or modern orchard has been said to have powerful properties.Featuring over 60 species, with dozens of fascinating entries from around the world, this informative and entertaining gift book is the latest in Kew's esoteric Witch's Garden series.

Queen of the night, Darwin's comet, lady's slipper, little dragon, black chimaera - the otherworldly names of orchid species are as beautiful as these sought-after flowers themselves.From flamboyant and colourful to strange and understated, and from alpine meadows to cloud forests, the orchid's variety and range is unparallelled - and has made it an object of obsession to plant collectors for centuries. With over 250 stunning botanical illustrations and fascinating documents from the archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Orchid explores 40 different varieties of this evocative and elusive flower.

Queen of the night, Darwin's comet, lady's slipper, little dragon, black chimaera - the otherworldly names of orchid species are as beautiful as these sought-after flowers themselves. From flamboyant and colourful to strange and understated, and from alpine meadows to cloud forests, the orchid's variety and range is unparallelled - and has made it an object of obsession to plant collectors for centuries. With over 250 stunning botanical illustrations and fascinating documents from the archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Orchid explores 40 different varieties of this evocative and elusive flower.

The luxurious and evocative scents that have fragranced the world all have their roots firmly in nature. Kew: Fragrance explores the botanical origins of perfume, unveiling the science and secrets behind the most intoxicating ingredients and their journey from bloom to bottle.From lemon, lavender and licorice to cumin, cardamom and cotton flower, Fragrance reveals the alchemy, cultural meaning and plant provenance of 100 key ingredients that make up the most seductive scents. With beautiful botanical illustrations from the Kew archive and expert text, this book is an enchanting exploration of scent and the plant origins of perfume.

"Some plants are inherently rare, while others become rare through our actions."Rare Plants explores what makes the world's most uncommon plants so exceptional, and by what means they have become so scarce. From highlands to jungles, many of our most extraordinary plants are vanishing at shocking rates, and this exquisitely illustrated book explores 40 of these mysterious species.Featuring stunning archive images and expert insight from the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, Rare Plants explores both the beauty and necessity of our endangered plant life.

There is more folklore, mythology and magic associated with our trees and forests than with any other living things.Known throughout the world as dark and wild places where witches make mischief and eerie creatures dwell, forests are also places of sanctuary for the ancient magic and the most enchanting species of trees.Kew: Witch's Forest is a beautifully illustrated, captivating journey through the magical woodland and its stories, from birch broomsticks and the sacred olive, to alder doorways and the Tree of Life.

Split into seven sections, Kew Guide covers Kew’s history, its plants, trees, art, architecture and changing landscape. It also looks forward, outlining Kew’s role in understanding and protecting plants and fungi for the wellbeing of people and the future of all life on Earth. Each section includes beautiful photography of the gardens, art and artefacts at Kew alongside botanic illustrations and architectural plans. Kew Guide works to enhance the visitor’s experience, providing them with in-depth knowledge of Kew’s legacy and ongoing projects to preserve plants and fungi from across the globe.

What is a perennial plant? What grows in herbaceous borders? Why are fungi not plants? And what would you find growing in a Wardian case?Plant Words is an eclectic collection of 250 botanical terms curated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. This treasury of horticultural terminology will introduce you to terraria, tulip mania and taxonomy, making you an expert in everything from arboreta to the wood-wide web.Describing the meaning, relevance, fascinating background and usage of each term, Plant Words will give you the vocabulary to understand and talk about plants, while sharing fascinating botanical facts and stories and broadening your horticultural knowledge. The perfect gift for connoisseur and beginner botanists alike, Plant Words is beautifully illustrated with over 80 images from Kew's collection.

The story of 40 of the world's most fascinating plants. Box includes 40 frameable art prints.

Kew's Teas, Tonics and Tipples is a celebration of the huge diversity of flavour, colour and fragrance plants bring to the drinks we consume. Throughout the book are recipes from Kew staff, from curators, to gardeners and botanists, as well as drinks inspired by the great plant hunters and their exotic adventures. With over 60 recipes accompanied with beatiful botanic art from Kew's archives.

The best dish on Raymond's menu, according to Raymond, is the 'one that's in season'.In this unique TV series and book, Raymond Blanc and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew have created a stunning Kitchen Garden at Kew to showcase the heritage and botany of our favourite plants as well as uncover their growing and cooking secrets.We'll explore how these plants arrived in the UK, brought back by intrepid plant hunters, how they flourished and how they spread to become part of our everyday meals. The Kew gardeners offer their tips and expertise in growing this produce, from carrots to potatoes, rhubarb and gooseberries, apples and peas.And interwoven with these stories will be Raymond's Blanc's detailed tasting notes and 40 mouth-watering recipes. Raymond's unparalleled expertise is drawn from three decades of experience in his own restaurant kitchen garden. He brings with him a lifetime's passion about fruit and veg, knowing exactly which apple is the perfect variety for his Tarte Tartin and which potato makes the perfect Sunday roast. With a wealth of stunning historical illustrations, woodcuts and images as well as beautiful recipe photography, this will be a book to treasure for life.