The John Tradescants: gardeners to the Rose and Lily Queen

There are few more important figures in the history of English gardening than John Tradescant the elder (1570-1638) and his son (1608-1662). This is the definitive study of two remarkable men who travelled to new or little-known lands - John the elder to Russia, the Near East and North Africa, John the Younger to the new colony of Virginia - in search of botanical treasures. They worked for a series of eminent patrons and supervised the creation of some of the great gardens of the period. They also introduced many new plants into Britain. Prudence Leith-Ross identifies those varieties which were first grown by the Tradescants or introduced to the country by one of them. In the extensive appendices each plant is identified with its modern botanical name, making this an essential work for all those interested in the history of gardening. Extremely well-researched and the tale is well-told.""-House and Garden