A Cumbrian author and botanist has published a sequel to her debut work, shining a light on forgotten women immortalised in plant names.

The book by Windermere's Dr Brenda Leese, There She Grows Again, details the lives of 39 fascinating women.

Advolly Richmond, writer and plant historian who appears on BBC Gardeners' World, praised the book.

Ms Richmond said: "This book is a wonderful gem. I found this book very informative and full of delightful surprises with plenty of background information and useful sources. So often people get forgotten in history, usually women whose identities started to fade as soon as they had adopted their married name."

Brenda, who volunteers at Holehird Gardens, home of the Lakeland Horticultural Society, in Windermere, has been left astonished at how many of these women's achievements were 'marginalised' during their lifetimes.

She said: "Women were excluded from scientific societies with the view that botany should be the preserve of men and not be an amusement for ladies, who were regarded as 'amateurs'. "While botanical art was acceptable as a 'genteel diversion' many women published anonymously because if they didn't their work would be ignored or dismissed as unworthy."

Brenda herself developed an interest in wildflowers as a child growing up in1950s Lincoln.

After winning a pressed flower competition in school, her interest grew and she would eventually go on to do a degree in botany and biochemistry at London University, followed by a doctorate in plant biochemistry at the University of York.

After a career in academic research, she completed a horticultural BTEC course at the then Newton Rigg College, Penrith, where she realised that books about plant hunters and experts rarely mentioned women.

While her first book, There She Grows, focused on female plant hunters, botanists, horticulturists, and botanical illustrators, There She Grows Again delves into the lives of significant wives, royals, and even goddesses.

Illustrations were done by Sophie Holme of Kendal, and graphic design by Russell Holden of Pixel Tweaks Publications in Ulverston.

There She Grows (2018) and There She Grows Again (2023) by Brenda Leese are available from all good book shops or online.