What do you think?
Rate this book
The Botanic Garden: The world's greatest botanical sanctuaries
This rich and beautiful guide from bestselling garden writer Ambra Edwards explores the most magnificent botanic havens from every continent across the world.
There has never been a better time to celebrate botanic gardens. From Brooklyn and San Francisco, to Colombia and Brazil; Oxford and Kew, to Cape Town and Mauritius; Norway and Germany, to Sydney and Thailand, discover surprising diversity, superb vistas and some of the most intriguing plants you can imagine.
As centres for research, conservation and education, these expansive collections are integral to our understanding of the true power of plants.
But they also hold some of the most beautiful species on earth – including ferns, trees, cacti, orchids and more – expertly cared for and presented as a feast for the senses, delighting thousands of visitors each year.
Ambra Edwards introduces the gardens, bringing them to life on the page, and uncovers their history, collections and scientific influence. This is a celebration of the wonder that is contained within the world’s greatest botanic gardens.
There has never been a better time to celebrate botanic gardens. From Brooklyn and San Francisco, to Colombia and Brazil; Oxford and Kew, to Cape Town and Mauritius; Norway and Germany, to Sydney and Thailand, discover surprising diversity, superb vistas and some of the most intriguing plants you can imagine.
As centres for research, conservation and education, these expansive collections are integral to our understanding of the true power of plants.
But they also hold some of the most beautiful species on earth – including ferns, trees, cacti, orchids and more – expertly cared for and presented as a feast for the senses, delighting thousands of visitors each year.
Ambra Edwards introduces the gardens, bringing them to life on the page, and uncovers their history, collections and scientific influence. This is a celebration of the wonder that is contained within the world’s greatest botanic gardens.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2024
22 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 1, 2024
This gorgeous guide with the most stunning photos and info-rich text introduces readers to nearly 30 of the world's most spectacular botanic gardens, with a history of the concept, several pages on each featured garden, and an index for ease of searching throughout the book. Highly recommended!
August 23, 2024
"The very first botanic gardens we know of were trophy gardens, where rulers in the ancient world amassed exotic plants as spoils of conquest and symbols of their power. And every significant culture appears to have created gardens of medicinal plants, whether in ancient India and China, Aztec Mesoamerica or medieval European Christendom."
This is a book rich in collation on major botanic gardens from all over the world. Ambra Edwards is garden-writer. Her collation of Botanic gardens and their habitats' plants is worth reading. However, she seems to be very much involved in telling about how its only Dutch East India Company that did everything in this field by spreading varieties of plant species over the world
She must learn more on medicinal plants' abodes in the natural vegetation of Himalayas in India from where whole Ayurveda evolved & driven all over earth. Still many do not know all the usage of each plants out their and in varied manners, as most prominent Ayurveda practicing scientists do. Even Plastic surgery was firstly known to Indians only from the times of "Sushruta (1000–800 BC)" who was known as the "Father of Plastic Surgery" for his epitome work in nasal reconstruction, which is still in use in different kind of versions today. His work is documented in his hand written work 'Sushruta Samhita', the etiology of more than 1,100 diseases and the use of thousands of medicinal plants. Was that really possible then for him to no t have proper garden with all such plants?
For Botanical garden theory I found facts so fascinating on the preservation and keep holds of variety of species, but on India knew very less on the subject gave me statistics which are factually wrong. This is because our old scriptures were stating different documented records.
I really like the preservation techniques specially "cryo-storage, in which plant tissues or seeds are plunged into vats of liquid nitrogen at temperatures as low as −196°C (−320°F). Under these conditions, plant tissue ages very slowly and can be kept in storage almost indefinitely. This has proved extremely successful for storing rainforest species, around half of which cannot survive being dried."
Overall, this is a good study I got on the topic and would appreciate author's efforts on the subject.
My NetGalley review
This is a book rich in collation on major botanic gardens from all over the world. Ambra Edwards is garden-writer. Her collation of Botanic gardens and their habitats' plants is worth reading. However, she seems to be very much involved in telling about how its only Dutch East India Company that did everything in this field by spreading varieties of plant species over the world
She must learn more on medicinal plants' abodes in the natural vegetation of Himalayas in India from where whole Ayurveda evolved & driven all over earth. Still many do not know all the usage of each plants out their and in varied manners, as most prominent Ayurveda practicing scientists do. Even Plastic surgery was firstly known to Indians only from the times of "Sushruta (1000–800 BC)" who was known as the "Father of Plastic Surgery" for his epitome work in nasal reconstruction, which is still in use in different kind of versions today. His work is documented in his hand written work 'Sushruta Samhita', the etiology of more than 1,100 diseases and the use of thousands of medicinal plants. Was that really possible then for him to no t have proper garden with all such plants?
For Botanical garden theory I found facts so fascinating on the preservation and keep holds of variety of species, but on India knew very less on the subject gave me statistics which are factually wrong. This is because our old scriptures were stating different documented records.
I really like the preservation techniques specially "cryo-storage, in which plant tissues or seeds are plunged into vats of liquid nitrogen at temperatures as low as −196°C (−320°F). Under these conditions, plant tissue ages very slowly and can be kept in storage almost indefinitely. This has proved extremely successful for storing rainforest species, around half of which cannot survive being dried."
Overall, this is a good study I got on the topic and would appreciate author's efforts on the subject.
My NetGalley review
December 17, 2024
The Botanic Garden by Ambra Edwards is a feast for the senses, jam packed with information and sumptuous photography. What a stunning book to get lost in! I'm a master gardener and learned a great deal more about topics including the history of botanic gardens, "plant blindness", numbers of plant species in the world, recovery and restoration, seed banks and tissue culture, in situ conservation and biodiversity.
Specific details such as the old 1585 Padua palm, unknown plants popping up in Oxford walls, intriguing Berlin-Victoria amazonica leaves, mind blowing Huntington Desert Garden in California, carnivorous plants and spectacular Canary Island trees prompted me to do further digging. I'm grateful to have visited many botanic gardens and am always in awe of their incredible beauty and unique features.
Whether you have a cursory, novice or professional interest in gardens, do not miss this book. New plant species are discovered regularly which is wonderful. Our world continues to intrigue and surprise!
My sincere thank you to Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this inspiring book. I absolutely loved it!
Specific details such as the old 1585 Padua palm, unknown plants popping up in Oxford walls, intriguing Berlin-Victoria amazonica leaves, mind blowing Huntington Desert Garden in California, carnivorous plants and spectacular Canary Island trees prompted me to do further digging. I'm grateful to have visited many botanic gardens and am always in awe of their incredible beauty and unique features.
Whether you have a cursory, novice or professional interest in gardens, do not miss this book. New plant species are discovered regularly which is wonderful. Our world continues to intrigue and surprise!
My sincere thank you to Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this inspiring book. I absolutely loved it!
June 20, 2024
I am no connoisseur of botanical gardens, but I do like to visit them from time to time. The cover image grabbed my attention first, as it reminded me of greenhouses that I have visited. And then, reading that the botanical garden from my home country was featured as one of the sanctuaries in this book, I had to get the ARC.
Ngl, I didn't read all of it, but I did leaf through it all. Concerning the parts that I did read, I enjoyed the history, and the evident hard work that went into gathering proper information and translating that into easily readable texts for readers.
The pictures are also superb!
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Ngl, I didn't read all of it, but I did leaf through it all. Concerning the parts that I did read, I enjoyed the history, and the evident hard work that went into gathering proper information and translating that into easily readable texts for readers.
The pictures are also superb!
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
July 30, 2024
Thank to NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in return for an honest review.
THE BOTANIC GARDEN is a lavishly illustrated book of the world’s most important and beautiful botanical gardens. If you love plants, green spaces, and travel, this is a book you’ll surely return to again and again. I’ve been to a few of the gardens profiled in this book and it was a joy to revisit them in these pages. And of course, this book also stoked my desire to visit the botanical gardens I haven’t been to yet! The lovely photos are accompanied by text from Ambra Edwards, who is a gifted and erudite garden writer. Highly recommended.
THE BOTANIC GARDEN is a lavishly illustrated book of the world’s most important and beautiful botanical gardens. If you love plants, green spaces, and travel, this is a book you’ll surely return to again and again. I’ve been to a few of the gardens profiled in this book and it was a joy to revisit them in these pages. And of course, this book also stoked my desire to visit the botanical gardens I haven’t been to yet! The lovely photos are accompanied by text from Ambra Edwards, who is a gifted and erudite garden writer. Highly recommended.
May 31, 2025
I received this DRC from NetGalley.
The beginning is a long intro about conservation and all that, which is good to know, but bogged it down for me when I was expecting a book about specific gardens and photography. After that, it gave overviews of several gardens from around the world, each with its own different style, which was interesting. I was expecting a lot of greenhouse pictures, but it wasn't that. The photography in general was pretty good, but as always with these kinds of books, I'd prefer more photos to get a real feel of the gardens. The aerial shots did help with that, though, as did the background information for each garden.
The beginning is a long intro about conservation and all that, which is good to know, but bogged it down for me when I was expecting a book about specific gardens and photography. After that, it gave overviews of several gardens from around the world, each with its own different style, which was interesting. I was expecting a lot of greenhouse pictures, but it wasn't that. The photography in general was pretty good, but as always with these kinds of books, I'd prefer more photos to get a real feel of the gardens. The aerial shots did help with that, though, as did the background information for each garden.
August 24, 2024
Book Review: The Botanic Garden: The World’s Greatest Botanical Sanctuaries by Ambra Edwards
Rating: 4 Stars
As a plant lover and an avid (indoor) gardener, I was absolutely thrilled to dive into Ambra Edwards' The Botanic Garden. This beautifully crafted guide takes readers on a breathtaking journey through nearly 30 of the most stunning botanical gardens across the globe. From the vibrant landscapes of San Francisco to the lush greenery of Cape Town, each garden is presented with a rich blend of history, scientific importance, and, of course, sheer beauty.
What struck me the most about this book is how it celebrates the diversity of botanical gardens from every continent. Edwards doesn’t just list these sanctuaries; she brings them to life with vivid descriptions and stunning photographs that capture the essence of each space. It's not just a visual feast, but also an informative one, exploring the role these gardens play in research, conservation, and education. Did you know that some of these gardens house rare and endangered species? It’s fascinating to see how they contribute to our understanding of plant life and environmental health.
I particularly enjoyed the layout of the book. Each featured garden is given several pages, complete with an index for easy navigation. This makes it not only a great read but also a handy reference for anyone looking to visit these incredible places. Whether you're planning a trip or simply want to enjoy the beauty from your couch, this guide has something for everyone.
Overall, The Botanic Garden is a gorgeous tribute to the wonderful world of botanical gardens. Edwards’ passion for these spaces shines through her writing, making it an engaging read for anyone interested in plants or nature. I would definitely recommend this book to fellow garden enthusiasts or anyone looking to appreciate the beauty and diversity of our planet's flora. It may not be perfect—there's always room for more gardens to be featured—but I’m giving it a solid four stars for its stunning visuals and rich, informative content.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 4 Stars
As a plant lover and an avid (indoor) gardener, I was absolutely thrilled to dive into Ambra Edwards' The Botanic Garden. This beautifully crafted guide takes readers on a breathtaking journey through nearly 30 of the most stunning botanical gardens across the globe. From the vibrant landscapes of San Francisco to the lush greenery of Cape Town, each garden is presented with a rich blend of history, scientific importance, and, of course, sheer beauty.
What struck me the most about this book is how it celebrates the diversity of botanical gardens from every continent. Edwards doesn’t just list these sanctuaries; she brings them to life with vivid descriptions and stunning photographs that capture the essence of each space. It's not just a visual feast, but also an informative one, exploring the role these gardens play in research, conservation, and education. Did you know that some of these gardens house rare and endangered species? It’s fascinating to see how they contribute to our understanding of plant life and environmental health.
I particularly enjoyed the layout of the book. Each featured garden is given several pages, complete with an index for easy navigation. This makes it not only a great read but also a handy reference for anyone looking to visit these incredible places. Whether you're planning a trip or simply want to enjoy the beauty from your couch, this guide has something for everyone.
Overall, The Botanic Garden is a gorgeous tribute to the wonderful world of botanical gardens. Edwards’ passion for these spaces shines through her writing, making it an engaging read for anyone interested in plants or nature. I would definitely recommend this book to fellow garden enthusiasts or anyone looking to appreciate the beauty and diversity of our planet's flora. It may not be perfect—there's always room for more gardens to be featured—but I’m giving it a solid four stars for its stunning visuals and rich, informative content.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
December 10, 2024
I had thought that the San Francisco Botanical Gardens was included in this book but sadly they are not. I had gotten incorrect information. A lot of great botanical gardens are included though. There is a lot of great information in this book; it is text heavy. Several wonderful photos are included for each of the locations. I wish that there had been even more of them but those there give a good feel for each garden. I particularly enjoyed seeing and learning about the many different plants that are specific to locations all over the world. It would be a great book to own. I am not tempted to get a copy but might have been if San Francisco had been included. It can work as a coffee table book but it also has a lot of substance.
September 15, 2024
"Until we begin to care deeply about the world's plants, we will never protect them adequately."
Botanic gardens are more than just pleasant, relaxing spaces to delight the senses. They are meant to preserve plant species while educating the public on conservation and the importance of green spaces on our planet. Edwards' beautiful book is filled with lush photos of gardens from around the world, which show a wide variety of plants and biomes. It's a lovely and informative book, and one that would be a joy to peruse during the harshest winter.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing for the read.
Botanic gardens are more than just pleasant, relaxing spaces to delight the senses. They are meant to preserve plant species while educating the public on conservation and the importance of green spaces on our planet. Edwards' beautiful book is filled with lush photos of gardens from around the world, which show a wide variety of plants and biomes. It's a lovely and informative book, and one that would be a joy to peruse during the harshest winter.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing for the read.
July 8, 2024
Great coffee table book to have around and to leaf through.
August 27, 2024
A photographic journey through the world's most beautiful and famous botanical gardens. I am also quite lucky, because some of them I have seen live. Coffee table book, but definitely good for the eyes.
un viaggio fotografico attraverso i piú belli e famosi orti botanici del mondo. Sono anche abbastanza fortunata, perché alcuni li ho visti dal vivo. Libro da tavolino, ma sicuramente fa bene agli occhi.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
un viaggio fotografico attraverso i piú belli e famosi orti botanici del mondo. Sono anche abbastanza fortunata, perché alcuni li ho visti dal vivo. Libro da tavolino, ma sicuramente fa bene agli occhi.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews