A Botanical Odyssey: the (mis)adventures of the plant hunter George Forrest

In this episode of Travels Through Time writer, gardener and panellist on Gardeners' Question Time Matt Biggs travels back to 1905 to see the plant hunter George Forrest as he begins an ill-omened expedition into the mountains of Yunnan. For centuries plant hunters like Forrest had been tempted out into the margins of the landscape in search of prize new specimens. They often travelled at significant personal risk through hostile environments and contested political spaces. George Forrest's 1905 expedition was one of the most fraught of them all. In this episode we watch Forrest in three scenes as the drama of his story unfolds.

More about Matt Biggs at his website: http://matthewbiggs.com/

Matt's book: "Secrets of Great Botanists" https://www.amazon.co.uk/RHS-Secrets-Great-Botanists-Gardening/dp/1784724971

Presenter: Peter Moore

Guest: Matt Biggs

Producer: Maria Nolan