April 12, 2022 Georg Joseph Kamel, William Kent, Gladys Taber, National Licorice Day, The Five Minute Garden by Laetitia Maklouf, and Clare Leighton

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Botanical History On This Day

1661 Birth of Georg Joseph Kamel, Czech Jesuit missionary, pharmacist, and naturalist who spent much of his life in the Philippines. Kamel established the first pharmacy there, following Austrian standards, and extensively collected plants, compiling the first flora of the islands. He introduced European science to Philippine biodiversity, naming the kalanchoe and the camellia—the latter honoring his Latinized name, Camellus. His legacy remains foundational in botanical history, despite his untimely death at the age of 45.

1748 Death of William Kent, English landscape gardener and artist who revolutionized garden design by treating landscaping as a form of painting. He transformed rigid geometric gardens into picturesque vistas with rolling hills, groves, and charming follies like Rousham’s eye-catcher ruin. Kent famously said, “Garden as though you will live forever.”

1899 Birth of Gladys Taber, beloved American writer and gardener known for her Stillmeadow and Still Cove series. She celebrated simple joys with quotes like, “A garden is evidence of faith. It links us with all the misty figures of the past who also planted and were nourished by the fruits of their planting.” Gladys’s humble spirit and love for home and garden still inspire today.

National Licorice Day celebrates the sweet root from the legume family, valued both as a flavor and medicine. Licorice’s glycyrrhetinic acid helped armies endure scarce water supplies and treat ailments, including digestion and coughs. Napoleon himself turned to licorice for tummy troubles, proving its enduring place from ancient herbal lore to modern gardens.

Grow That Garden Library™ Book Recommendation

Read The Daily Gardener review of The Five Minute Garden by Laetitia Maklouf, packed with quick, impactful garden tasks ideal for busy gardeners wanting steady progress without overwhelm.

Buy the book on Amazon: The Five Minute Garden

Botanic Spark

1898 Birth of Clare Ellaine Hope Leighton, English-American artist and writer known for evocative wood engravings of rural life and gardens. In her book, Four Hedges, she shares reflections on garden imperfections, faith in bulbs, and the healing power of tending to weeds, reminding us that gardens nurture both the earth and the soul.

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And remember: For a happy, healthy life, garden every day.