About the Author

E. Charles Nelson is a freelance botanist, editor and author, and is administrator of The Heather Society. He was Horticultural Taxonomist in the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, 1976–1995. His research interests range from heathers to the history of botanical exploration. An acknowledged authority on Irish gardens and plants, Dr Nelson was a founding member of the Irish Garden Plant Society and the Northern Ireland Heritage Gardens Committee.