June 8, 2022 John Evelyn, Sophia of Hanover, Peonies, Sara Paretsky, Take It Outside by Mel Brasier, Garrett Magee, and James DeSantis, and Martha Stewart

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Botanical History On This Day

1698 On this day, the English writer, landowner, gardener, courtier, and diarist, John Evelyn, went to Deptford to "see how miserably the Czar... left my house after three months [of] making it his Court." Evelyn’s home, Sayes Court, was overrun when Peter the Great and his entourage stayed there during their English sojourn. The Czar was fascinated by shipbuilding but left the once-pristine gardens battered — a tale that underscores how gardens bear the mark of those who pass through them, whether guests or conquerors.

1714 Death of Sophia of Hanover, the Electress of Hanover. She died at 83, just weeks before she would have ascended the British throne. Known for her intelligence and love of philosophy, Sophia was also a keen gardener, shaping the grounds of Herrenhausen in Hanover into one of Europe’s most celebrated baroque gardens — a legacy of beauty and order still admired today.

1908 On this day, a review of the Peterson Nursery in Chicago offered an update on their annual peony week. For Midwestern gardeners, this event became a seasonal highlight, drawing crowds eager to admire the luscious blooms. Peony Week was more than a nursery promotion — it was a community ritual, a celebration of abundance and the fleeting beauty of peony petals at their peak.

1947 Birth of Sara Paretsky, American mystery writer. Best known for creating the detective V.I. Warshawski, Paretsky’s writing has roots in keen observation — much like a botanist’s notes in the field. Her novels often explore resilience, the power of environment, and the secrets that lie just beneath the surface, themes any gardener might recognize in the soil.

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Today's Botanic Spark

2009 On this day, Martha Stewart's peonies bloomed. Stewart, ever the ambassador of gracious living, shared her gardens as she shared her recipes — with meticulous detail and an eye for beauty. The flourishing of her peonies was more than a seasonal delight; it was an emblem of her philosophy that life, like a garden, is best lived with care, patience, and a touch of elegance.

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