Georgina Reid Knihy

A celebration of the exceptional and ordinary ways people engage with the world around them through plants. In gardens we find shelter, nurture and respite from the noise and rush of everyday life. To garden is a wonderful thing but you don't have to have a large plot of land or immense knowledge to reap the benefits of a little nature. The Planthunter uncovers all the ways in which people around the world find purpose, beauty, wellness and connection through the act of gardening.

The plot revolves around a mother returning from America, hoping to find her garden well-maintained by her son Gerald, only to discover it has become overgrown. In a bid to remedy the situation, neighbor Pip suggests a house-swap, leading to unexpected developments. The arrival of a news reporter from Happy Gardening adds tension and complexity to their plans. The story features a dynamic cast of three women and two men, exploring themes of family expectations, community, and the chaos of life.

The return of Sylvia after twenty years stirs up long-buried family tensions at Gorse Cottage. Her daughter Rose, contrasting with her mother's beauty, faces hostility from her grandmother, Mrs. Bell, who has long mistreated her sister Mavis. As the family dynamics unravel, an atmosphere of spite escalates when Mrs. Bell experiences a life-threatening scare, leading to suspicions among her own kin. The story intertwines themes of familial conflict, hidden resentments, and the dark potential for murder within the family.

Gibraltar School was founded as a school for young ladies by the two dear old Misses Pye, now deceased. The long-suffering teachers now have their lives made miserable not only by their pupils but also by the present headmistress, Miss Rowe, known universally as "Hard Rowe." Since Gibraltar is a private school, they resign themselves to the fact that there is little they can do about it, but they find help coming from a very unexpected quarter indeed.

An exciting and refreshing call to arms, The Planthunter is a new generation of gardening book for a new generation of gardener that encourages readers to fall in love with the natural world by falling in love with plants.