Combining historical appeal and the magic of nature, this book offers a fascinating look at one of the oldest and most important gardens, its existence having made a profound contribution to modern science. This beautifully illustrated book captures the wonders of Padua's centuries-old botanical garden, revealing the artistic and architectural features of the complex along with its fabulous collection of plants, some medicinal, some spectacular, and others exceedingly rare. Featuring all-new photography, this book follows the flowering season of the species under study and is accompanied by instructive texts along with anecdotes of scientific and popular interest and incursions into the history of the Italian Renaissance and the civilization of the Republic of Venice. This book makes a wonderful gift for plant lovers and also includes a coloring book of illustrations taken from the photographs.