Antonio José Cavanilles: The Forgotten Botanist Behind the Dahlia

A statue of Antonio José Cavanilles (1745-1804), a prominent Spanish botanist.

Dahlia Pinnata Today is the birthday of the Spanish Enlightenment priest and botanist Antonio José Cavanilles (“Cah-vah-nee-yes”) Antonio was a prolific botanist and probably Spain’s first expert botanist. He was born in Valencia – Spain’s third-largest city. When Antonio struggled to find a job at the university, he moved to France. In Paris, he was…

Read More

January 16, 2020 Planting Hope, Marks Hall Arboretum, Antonio José Cavanilles, Wine Bricks, Carole Lombard, Louisa Yeomans King, January Poems, Murder Most Florid by Mark Spencer, Tree Branch Hooks, and Lengthening Days by Vita Sackville-West

The Daily Gardener Podcast Album Cover with a pot of rosemary - the herb for remembrance - beckoning gardeners to remember to listen to the show. Updated September 2025.

Subscribe Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Support The Daily Gardener Buy Me A Coffee  Connect for FREE! The Friday Newsletter |  Daily Gardener Community Curated News Planting Hope by Debi Holland | Richard Jackson’s Garden “I work with people who have experienced bereavement or long-term illness. Gardening has been a tremendous…

Read More