Celebrating Irish Gardener William Robinson: Originator of the Herbaceous Border, Advocate for the Wild Garden – but not a Fan of Greenhouses

"One cold night, the fires for keeping the greenhouses warm failed.

Whatever the particulars, whether he argued with his boss, forgot to tend the fire, or acted in revenge, the result was that the tender plants in the greenhouse died."

July 15, 1838

On this day, we celebrate the birthday of William Robinson, the originator of the Herbaceous border and advocate for the wild garden.

William helped change the English landscape from formal to much more relaxed - and attainable for the masses.

While researching William Robinson, I came across many accounts of a story from his early days in horticulture.

William was working on the estate of an Irish baronet.

One cold night, the fires for keeping the greenhouses warm failed.

Whatever the particulars, whether he argued with his boss, forgot to tend the fire, or acted in revenge, the result was that the tender plants in the greenhouse died.

That night, William walked all the way to Dublin, which he did not reach until the following morning.

When he arrived in Dublin, he asked Dr. David Moore, head of the botanical garden, what he should do. Moore must have liked William because he offered him a job on the spot - but not with the greenhouses.

Instead, he was put in charge of herbaceous plants - plants that die back in the winter and return in the spring after their season of rest. These plants also included English wildflowers.

In any case, the truth remains that William never liked greenhouses and did not allow them at Gravetye Manor.