Flora of the Silk Road: An Illustrated Guide

Description

An illustrated guide to the most spectacular floral region on earth The Silk Road - a name that has enchanted for centuries. Yet a well kept secret, even today, is that this fabled route linking Europe with Asia is also the most spectacular floral region on earth. Chris and Basak Gardner offer a unique pictorial celebration of the plants and scenery to be found along its 5,000 miles. Embracing Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Central Asia and China, more than five hundred of the finest wild flowers are depicted together with the beautiful landscapes in which these botanical paradises are found. With an accompanying text giving descriptions of the species, plant families and their distribution, as well as information on photographing plants in the wild, this unique book will amaze and delight not only those with an interest in the spectacular and legendary landscapes that form the Silk Road but also plantsmen and horticulturalists worldwide.

Chris and Basak Gardner have lead specialist botanical and wildlife tours worldwide for many years, particularly in the countries of the Silk Road. Both are professional botanists with extensive experience in identifying and photographing flowers. Chris is also an experienced garden designer and co-author of the successful book, " The Plant Hunters" (1998). Basak was Head of Herbarium at Nezahat Gokyigit Botanic Garden in Istanbul.

Without a shadow of a doubt this is the most spectacular account and presentation of native flora I have ever seen... -- Roy Lancaster * The Garden (RHS Magazine) * Christopher and Basak Gardner have written the most beautiful new book called Flora of the Silk Road: An Illustrated Guide. Their book has taken me vicariously from Syria to China and has given me more pleasure than any colour-designed book I have read in years ... For the gardener the book is a glimpse of paradise. -- Robin Lane-Fox * Financial Times * This is a book to make you weep. Weep at the sheer beauty of its photographs and of the flowers and landscapes laid out before your eyes * Historic Gardens Review * A stunning collection of more than 500 flowers ... the images cannot fail to enlighten ... armchair travellers will relish the living tapestry in this tour de force ... I thoroughly recommend it. * Journal of the Royal Photographic Society * Presents exquisite photographs of 545 species ... there are also wonderful landscape, architecture and habitat views. The book is a masterpiece of great interest for all fascinated by the Silk Road. The image reproduction and book design are superb. With 406 pages and over 500 stunning photographs, the book is well worth buying, enjoying, treasuring. * The Plantsman * I can only marvel at this amazing book * Oxford Times * This extraordinary and beautiful book... This is a book of images but images as you have rarely seen them ... a rare and special book that will appeal to anyone with a fascination in the wider world of plants and natural history. * Alpine Garden Society * I've got somewhat carried away with the beauty of all these plants - and I believe you will too if you acquire this book ... it is illustrated with page after page of stunning photographs. * The Mediterranean *