223. Empire of Plants: From Kew Gardens to Bo...

Soon after Stalin’s purges and mass violence, Nazi soldiers launch a surprise invasion of the Soviet Union, opening up the Eastern Front of World War II. Who was Stalin’s chief executioner who still holds a Guinness World Record for his number of executions? Why was Stalin surpri ...  Show more

Was it an ice axe or an ice pick? The murder of Trotsky in Mexico is infamous, but what does it say about Stalin’s willingness to seek out and destroy his rivals? Who was Leon Trotsky and why was he such a threat to Stalin by the end of his life? In Episode 3 of this series, Anit ...  Show more

Kew Gardens, officially known as the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, is a sprawling 326 acre paradise located in southwest London, home to one of the largest and most diverse plant collections in the world. Whether you're marvelling at the glasshouses or enjoying a leisurely picnic wi ...  Show more

People love to fill their homes with beautiful plants, but this is not a new phenomenon. The trade in wild plants and seeds has a complex history that stretches back into the past and across the world. Ahead of the Gardeners’ World Autumn Plant Fair at Audley End, Amy Matthews is ...  Show more

Orchids date back millions of years. But in the 1800s, the plants became a status symbol and the cornerstone of a high-dollar industry. Collecting the plants involved adventure and excitement -- and a high death rate.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcast ...  Show more

A botanical visit and a special dessert. –––See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.