About this episode
James Alexander-Sinclair and Joe Swift dig into the fascinating – and often perilous – world of 18th and 19th century plant hunters. From Joseph Banks sailing with Captain Cook to Ernest Henry Wilson trekking through China and David Douglas scaling mountains in search of new species, these intrepid explorers risked disease, shipwreck, and worse to bring exotic plants home. But were they explorers or exploiters? The duo explore the colonial questions behind the collecting craze, reveal the plants we owe to these expeditions – rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias, and more – and discuss how modern-day “plant hunters” work today at Kew and global seed banks to preserve biodiversity. Follow, rate and subscribe on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. About our hosts James Alexander-Sinclair is a garden designer, writer and broadcaster. He is an RHS Vice-President and was awarded the Veitch Memorial Medal for outstanding contribution to horticulture in 2022. He is the RHS Ambassador for Garden Design and a Fellow of the Society of Garden Designers. Joe Swift is a familiar face on television as a presenter of BBC TV’s Gardeners’ World and other gardening programmes. He is a garden designer, broadcaster, writer and design director of Modular. Support James and Joe by becoming a member of The Garden Collective - a community for anyone who loves plants, gardens and sharing what they love - a place where experts and fellow gardeners all come together to inspire, entertain and keep us company whilst we’re weeding (or staring out of the window at the rain). You'll get access to articles written by some great gardeners, live Q&A sessions, livestreams, podcasts and loads more.It’s more than a platform - it’s a place where we can answer questions, offer biscuits and share our triumphs and disasters. Subscribe now: https://join.scribehound.com/gardening?ref=share&sharer=uu4ouXbbErgc54CBD&shareType=SbzpSgeEBK&channel=gardening%E2%81%A0 Follow James & Joe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesandjoegarden/ Follow The Garden Collective on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garden_collective_/ Contact us: gardening@scribehound.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices