16世纪初、文艺复兴的时期，欧洲的的花园设计大多只是考虑美学观念，或是为了提供草药。但是从17世纪开始，欧洲人不断引进世界各地搜罗的植物品种，并将培养植物的科学普及化。植物园成为了科学家们的实验工作室，用以研究不同植物种类的特性以及繁殖稀奇的品种。时至今日，植物学更成为一门学科，专门探讨人类与植物之间的互动与关联。
作者特地加插牛津大学图书馆收藏的植物手绘图，以色彩丰富的图解去演绎英国国内植物园演变的历史。除了历史外，作者也提及英国近年对植物保育的工作，例如伊甸园计划和种子银行。热爱园艺的读者必对此书爱不释手。
关于作者：
Stephen Harris 是牛津大学植物标本馆的馆长。
本书好评：
“The book provides a historical perspective on the development of botany until the emergence of modern genetics, and explores how humankind has sought to discover, understand and use our planet’s plants for subsistence, health, wealth, and pleasure.” – Oxford Times (UK)
“This beautifully illustrated book examines the role of the garden in Britain, from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries. In doing so, the whole world is involved as plants are discovered and brought into use for medicinal and commercial purposes. The discovery of seed development, Darwin’s influence, the removal of mysticism, and the development of glass houses brought an understanding of how plants grow. . . . The book includes wonderful lithographs and reproductions of early rare manuscripts. Planting paradise is worthy of study.”– Adele Kleine from Chicago Botanic Garden
