An A-Z of Animals in the Garden

From alpacas to zebus, crocodiles to wombats, journey through the individual histories of bizarre garden pets and their often bizarre owners. Who would dream of keeping a bear in the summerhouse, or a peccary in the park? Find out why the artist Rossetti favoured a wombat over a zebu, and if hares make good pets for depressed poets. Dr Twigs Way uncovers a secret world where crocodiles lurk in the fernery and flamingos stalk the shrubberies. From the Roman period to the modern day, discover the story of armadillos kept by merchants in London and Queen Charlotte's filthy-tempered zebra. These are quirky tales of animals in the garden.

Twigs Way has also written Virgins, Weeders & Queens. She is a garden historian and lecturer, and her media work includes Channel 4's 'Lost Gardens' Look East Series (BBC East), guest presenting for Radio 4 and various newspaper commissions including Cambridgeshire Evening News and The Independent on Sunday.