Produced in association with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), this book is a celebration of the world's finest botanic gardens. Not only do these gardens contain stunning displays of trees, shrubs and plants which are often rare in horticulture, but they also provide living laboratories for botanical research and are increasingly vital in conserving species under threat in the wild. With over 30 percent of the world's known plant species grown in botanic gardens, these are now vital repositories of biodiversity. "Great Botanic Gardens of the World" highlights the architectural, historical, horticultural and landscape treasures found within more than 60 of the best botanic gardens worldwide, all of which are open to the public. From the world-renowned royal Botanic Gardens at Kew to the dramatic plant collection on the island of Porquerolles off the south of France and the unique desert-flora gardens of Arizona, USA, the origins and history of botanic gardens are examined, along with an overview of how their collections developed and what makes them so remarkable today. The best gardens of each continent are looked at in turn, with related overviews of vegetation and flora, and a strong emphasis on the role they play in conservation. Special attention is paid to the extraordinary personalities behind the creation of some of world's top botanic gardens, as well as to particularly noteworthy and appealing plants to be seen in the best collections. With an eye to the future, the creation of new botanic gardens is looked at alongside the role they can play in sustainable development and ecotourism.