In Botanical Time
The Extraordinary Lifespans of the World's Oldest Living Plants
Published on 17. February 2026
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-1-64502-315-9 (ISBN)
Description
How do some plants live for thousands of years? Which adaptations and evolutionary strategies allow them to thrive in some of the harshest places on the planet for so long-and so well?
Renowned plantsman, author, and longtime botanical garden designer Christopher Woods takes readers on a popular science exploration of twenty-three of the world's most amazing species, seeking answers to these questions by explaining their incredible survival mechanisms. Woods emphasizes how human cultures have interacted with plants over time and what we may, critically, be able to learn from them about sustainability in extreme climates. Some species will be familiar to readers, while some are outright surprising-such as the aptly named Welwitschia mirabilis, which lives happily in the Namib Desert for up to two thousand years, although many of those years receive zero precipitation.
With over two hundred color images and lively, accessible text, In Botanical Time highlights fascinating facts about each charismatic plant, encouraging conservation for these species and leading us toward larger lessons about the rapidity with which humans have caused-and are causing-species to adapt.
"Woods' compassion for these trees, shrubs, and herbaceous wonders shines on every page."-AHS American Gardener Magazine
Renowned plantsman, author, and longtime botanical garden designer Christopher Woods takes readers on a popular science exploration of twenty-three of the world's most amazing species, seeking answers to these questions by explaining their incredible survival mechanisms. Woods emphasizes how human cultures have interacted with plants over time and what we may, critically, be able to learn from them about sustainability in extreme climates. Some species will be familiar to readers, while some are outright surprising-such as the aptly named Welwitschia mirabilis, which lives happily in the Namib Desert for up to two thousand years, although many of those years receive zero precipitation.
With over two hundred color images and lively, accessible text, In Botanical Time highlights fascinating facts about each charismatic plant, encouraging conservation for these species and leading us toward larger lessons about the rapidity with which humans have caused-and are causing-species to adapt.
"Woods' compassion for these trees, shrubs, and herbaceous wonders shines on every page."-AHS American Gardener Magazine
Reviews / Votes
Praise for In Botanical Time:"Woods' compassion for these trees, shrubs, and herbaceous wonders shines on every page...Illustrated with spectacular photos, this book can be devoured cover to cover or dipped into one random chapter at a time. Either way, the next time you plant a tree, In Botanical Time might make you pause and consider the privilege of sharing a small slice of its life with yours."
-AHS American Gardener Magazine
"A meditative reflection on the profound length of the natural clock...Woods' writing has a sense of wonder, highlighting how brief humanity's existence is compared to nature's aspens, pines, and cypresses."
-Washington Gardener Magazine
"Woods' passion and expertise make him a great guide through the history of plants. He reminds us that while we may plant for next year, nature grows for the next millennium."
-HortWeek
"Woods' cheeky prose and rich visuals make In Botanical Time an easy and engaging read for plant lovers and superlative seekers."
-Science News
"Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with full color photography of the individual plants and trees that have incredibly long life spans, some even in the most seemingly hostile of environments, In Botanical Time is itself an extraordinary, unique, informative, and simply fascinating read from cover to cover."
-Midwest Book Review
Praise for Christopher Woods:
"To be passionate about gardens but have wanderlust seems like a curse of mythical proportion. It might turn you into a plant explorer, a landscape photographer or, if you are Christopher Woods, into a horticultural sojourner and writer."
-The Washington Post
"Whether you are a garden globetrotter or an armchair explorer, this book is definitely one to add to your collection."
-Gardens Illustrated
"Woods's broad outlook is refreshing. . . . Descriptive essays that discuss thoughtfully, cogently, and often humorously the recurring themes. . . . Highly recommended for anyone interested in modern gardens, garden design, or garden travel."
-Library Journal
"Author Chris Woods worked in top British gardens before moving to the States, where he transformed Chanticleer, and in his safe hands we are transported to these special places to discover what makes them notable. . . . His enthusiasm and warmth carry the reader along and make this the perfect gift for people who love real or armchair garden visiting, at home and abroad."
-The Telegraph
"Woods is uniquely qualified to write a book of such a daunting global scope . . . a long love letter to the planet and its people"
-Mother Nature Network
"Most if not all will feel the tug of wanderlust and the gardenlust to explore many of these new and beautiful landscapes."
-NYBG's Plant Talk
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
White River Junction
United States
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
FULL-COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 200 COLOR IMAGES
Dimensions
Height: 215 mm
Width: 248 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
835 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-64502-315-9 (9781645023159)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
02/2026
Rizzoli
€38.99
Available for download
Person
Christopher Woods began his gardening life at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He is the author of two books: Gardenlust in 2018 and Our Natural World Heritage in 2023. Chris was director and chief designer of Chanticleer, transforming it into one of America's most exuberant gardens, renowned for creative and innovative techniques. He has also served as vice president for horticulture at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden; director of the VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver, Canada; executive director of the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens; and director of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Meadowbrook Farm.?