Carol Klein's Plant Odysseys Series 1

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Nature Documentary hosted by Carol Klein, published by BBC in 2015 - English narration

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Carol Klein's Plant Odysseys Four-part series in which Carol Klein explores the inner secrets and botanical history of four of our favourite garden plants: the rose, the tulip, the iris and the water lily.

[edit] Roses

The first episode looks at the rose. The rose has always meant so much to Britain - it is embedded in our history, our fairy tales and our hearts. Carol goes on a very British plant odyssey. To understand the origins of our most cherished garden flower, we need look no further than the hedgerow. Our native dog rose - Rosa canina - has changed very little in 37 million years. Its prickles, acting like tiny crampons, allow it to climb above other plants and protect them from being eaten. As a second line of defence, they even harbour bacteria to fend off hungry assailants. The Romans adored its simple flowers, but they adored densely-petalled mutations even more and soon began to develop these by taking cuttings. At Exeter Cathedral, Carol sees what an important symbol it has been to religion, and we discover that a chance meeting in the 18th century between two roses on the Island of Reunion created a whole new class of rose

[edit] Tulips

Carol's quest to uncover the colourful history of the tulip begins high in the mountains of eastern Turkey, where an early ancestor of those grown in today's gardens can be found flourishing in the harshest of environments. The next leg of her journey takes her to the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem, Holland, where she discovers how the wealthy elite were struck by tulip mania and the Dutch economy was almost brought to its knees.

[edit] Iris

Carol examines the intricate biology of the iris and looks into its intimate relationship with bees, using an endoscopic camera to reveal how the insect uses ultraviolet vision to see each flower. She also explores its cultural significance to mankind over thousands of years, learning of the importance of some species in the funeral traditions of Islam and its use in perfume manufacture in Florence. Plus, Carol meets an enthusiast rebuilding the iris collection of artist Cedric Morris

[edit] Waterlily

Carol takes a look at history and development of the water lily, a plant of unlikely economic importance, spiritual significance and artistic inspiration. She meets a leading experts in water-lily breeding to find out about a plant-insect relationship that brings about a dramatic overnight colour and sex change, and learns about its unique prehistoric pollinating system. She also visits South Korea and takes part in a festival held in honour of the lotus, a close relative of the water lily that is revered by Buddhist monks.