Coming up roses: Professor of Biodiversity discusses flower perfumes with Carol Klein for BBC2 programme

Jeff Ollerton, Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Northampton, visited Chester this week to film a scene for a new BBC2 TV series with the working title Plant Odyssey.

Presented by Gardeners’ World regular Carol Klein, the four-part series is being produced by Oxford Scientific Films and will be broadcast in the spring. In the scene, Professor Ollerton and Carol make a rose perfume based on an ancient Roman recipe dating back to circa AD 77–79, which was published in the book Natural History (Naturalis Historia) by Pliny the Elder.

Professor Ollerton is no stranger to BBC Television, having consulted on and featured in many programmes, including Bees, Butterflies and Blooms and Farming Today. He has worked with presenter Carol Klein before, on a special episode of Gardeners’ World entitled The Science of Gardening.

Professor Ollerton commented: “Filming for television is always fun and brings the work that we do at the University to a much wider audience. And I learned a lot about Roman perfumes!”

Carol is a champion of organic, wildlife friendly gardening and she tirelessly campaigns to ensure gardeners consider the impact their activities have on the environment. Her work was recognised by the University of Northampton in 2012 when she received an Honorary Fellowship, presented at the spring graduation ceremony by Professor Ollerton.

​For further information regarding Plant Odyssey, keep an eye on www.bbc.co.uk.