From Christmas Trees to Kew: Queen Charlotte’s Botanical Revolution
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
November 17, 1818
On this day, England bid farewell to Queen Charlotte, the devoted wife of George III and a woman whose passion for horticulture left an indelible mark on the nation's gardens.
While her legacy as a mother of 15 children is indeed astounding, it is her contributions to the world of botany and gardening that truly captivate the imagination of green-thumbed enthusiasts.
Born in the distant lands of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Germany, Charlotte brought with her a treasure trove of traditions and horticultural knowledge. It was she who first introduced the enchanting custom of bringing a Christmas tree indoors to England, a practice that has since become a beloved holiday ritual.
In the winter of 1800, she personally selected a stately yew to grace the halls of Windsor Castle, adorning it with festive decorations and ushering in a new era of yuletide celebrations.
Charlotte's passion for botany was matched only by that of her husband, King George. Together, they transformed Kew Gardens into a horticultural haven. With the zeal of a true gardener, Charlotte expanded the grounds, adding her own delightful touches. She commissioned a charming cottage, complete with a rustic garden that would make any modern cottage gardener swoon with envy.
One can almost picture her daughter Elizabeth, paintbrush in hand, adorning the attic room ceiling with delicate nasturtiums and twining morning glories.
The Queen's dedication to botanical studies was far from superficial. She amassed an impressive collection of plants and maintained a personal herbarium, tools of the trade for any serious botanist. Her thirst for knowledge led her to seek instruction from none other than Sir James Edward Smith, President of the Linnean Society. Under his tutelage, Charlotte and her four daughters delved deep into the intricacies of plant taxonomy and classification.
Charlotte's royal status did not prevent her from forming genuine friendships within the botanical community. She and George developed a close bond with Mary Delaney, the renowned botanical tissue paper artist. In a touching display of affection and patronage, they provided Mary with a house at Windsor and a pension in her twilight years.
The Queen's influence extended far beyond the shores of England. When intrepid plant hunters in South Africa discovered a flower of extraordinary beauty, it was promptly named in honor of Charlotte's birthplace.
Thus, the majestic Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) came to bear her legacy in its very name. The botanical name for the Bird of Paradise is Strelitzia reginae ("stray-LIT-zee-ah REJ-in-ee.")
Charlotte's reign left an indelible mark on the New World as well. Eleven cities bear her name, with Charlotte, North Carolina, standing as the most prominent. The Queen City, as it is affectionately known, boasts a towering 25-foot bronze statue of its namesake, greeting visitors at the airport with regal aplomb.
After 57 years of reign, Charlotte's life came to a peaceful close at the age of 74 in Kew Palace, surrounded by the gardens she so dearly loved. Yet her legacy lives on, not only in the annals of history but in the very soil of our gardens.
Today, horticulturists and garden enthusiasts can pay homage to this remarkable queen by cultivating the Japanese Anemone 'Queen Charlotte'. This exquisite perennial graces late-season gardens with its delicate pink petals and golden centers, a fitting tribute to a woman who brought so much beauty and botanical knowledge to her adopted homeland.
As we tend to our gardens, let us remember Queen Charlotte, whose royal hands once nurtured the same earthly delights that bring us joy today.
