Botanical History
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Home of Hundreds of Cherry Trees May 13, 1911 On this day, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York City opened to the public. Today the garden is home to over 200 cherry trees representing forty-two different species. The garden is made up of several defined garden spaces. First, the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden was one…
Read MoreAnemone patens
The Floral Emblem of Manitoba May 12, 1870 On this day, Manitoba became a province of Canada. In 1906, the Anemone patens, commonly known as the Prairie Crocus, was officially adopted as the floral emblem of Manitoba. The first prairie plant to bloom in the spring, the Prairie Crocus, left an impression with early pioneers,…
Read MoreFlorence Nightingale
The Lady with the Lamp May 12, 1820 Today is the birthday of the English social reformer, statistician, and founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. Florence earned the moniker “The Lady with the Lamp” during the Crimean War because she would make her rounds to visit wounded soldiers with a lamp during the night. Florence…
Read MoreHenri Frederic Amiel
The Knowledge of a Garden May 11, 1881 Today is the anniversary of the death of the Swiss moral philosopher, poet, critic, and nature-lover, Henri Frederic Amiel. Henri used the garden as a metaphor for life. He wrote, “Before my history can teach anybody anything, or even interest myself, it must be disentangled from its…
Read MoreAbel Aken Hunter
An Extraordinary Orchid Collection May 11, 1928 On this day, Abel Aken Hunter shared some of his orchid collection at the Third Annual National Orchid Show held at Madison Square Garden. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported: “A mile of orchids, representing every known variety and worth more than $1,000,000 may be seen in the exhibit.” Abel…
Read MoreLeonard Mascall
An Author of Household Management May 10, 1589 Today is the anniversary of the burial of the English author, translator, and Clerk to the Kitchen of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Leonard Mascall – who was buried at Buckinghamshire. Mascall published several books; all were aimed at household management. In 1572 Leonardpublished A Booke of the Arte…
Read MoreJohn Hope
The Edinburgh Botanist May 10, 1725 Today is the birthday of the botanist, famous professor, and founder of one of the leading botanical gardens in Europe — John Hope. Alive during the Scottish enlightenment, John left his mark on the royal botanic gardens, plant classification, and plant physiology. He was appointed as the King’s botanist…
Read MoreGerard van Swieten
Swietenia: The Genus of Mahogany May 7, 1700 Today is the birthday of the Dutch botanist Gerard van Swieten. As Swieten turned 40 years old, Empress Maria Theresa inherited the Habsburg Empire. She had much to do to get her kingdom in shape. When it came to medicine, Austria was about 200 years behind its…
Read MoreCharlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë
Currer, Ellia, and Acton Bell May 7, 1846 The first printed copies of “Poems” by Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë were published under the pseudonym of Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. Just two copies were sold. To avoid prejudice as female writers, the sisters kept the first letter of their first names: Charlotte was Currer…
Read MoreJean Senebier
Finding the Purpose of Leaves May 6, 1742 Today is the birthday of Jean Senebier, a Swiss pastor and botanist. Where would we be without Senebier? Still breathing… but lacking the knowledge that carbon dioxide is consumed by plants and, in turn, that plants produce oxygen as part of the process of photosynthesis. In a nutshell,…
Read MoreAlexander Von Humboldt
The Polymath and Pragmatist May 6, 1859 Today is the anniversary of the death of the naturalist and botanist Alexander Von Humboldt. He was 89 years old. When it came to his expeditions, Alexander didn’t travel alone. In 1799, Alexander was accompanied by the French botanist Aimé Bonplant. In 1806, Friedrich Georg Weitsch painted his…
Read MoreThomas Hayton Mawson
Thomas H. Mawson & Sons May 5, 1861 Today is the birthday of British garden designer, prolific Edwardian Landscape Architect, and town planner Thomas Hayton Mawson who was born in Lancashire. When Thomas was a teenager, his dad started a nursery and fruit farm in Yorkshire. Thomas loved the orchard, but his happiness came to…
Read MoreCecil Ross Pinsent
The Tuscany Garden Designer May 5, 1884 Today is the birthday of the British garden designer and architect known for his innovative gardens in Tuscany, Cecil Ross Pinsent. Cecil worked with the American art historian Bernard Berenson on his iconic estate known as the Villa I Tatti. This relationship opened doors for Cecil, and soon he…
Read MoreMary Sutherland
The First Female Forester May 4, 1893 Today is the birthday of New Zealand forester and botanist Mary Sutherland. In 1916, Mary graduated from Bangor University in Wales with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. She was the first female to become a degreed forestry professional in the world. Mary also became known in New…
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