Frank Kingdon-Ward: The Last of the Great Plant Hunters

Frank Kingdon-Ward, 1942

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 6, 1885 On this day, the renowned British botanist and explorer Frank Kingdon-Ward was born in Manchester, England. The son of a distinguished botanist, Frank seemed destined to follow in his father’s…

Read More

Blooming Against the Odds: Ellsworth Jerome Hill’s Botanical Triumph

Ellsworth Jerome Hill

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. December 1, 1833 On this day, dear friends of the garden and admirers of human perseverance, a most remarkable individual drew his first breath. Ellsworth Jerome Hill, destined to become a Presbyterian minister,…

Read More

A Life Among Leaves: The Botanical Journey of Ethel Zoe Bailey

Ethel Zoe Bailey and her father, L. H. Bailey

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 17, 1889 On this day, a most remarkable woman entered the world, one whose life would become as intertwined with botany as the most tenacious of climbing vines. Ethel Zoe Bailey, daughter…

Read More

First Lady of Mount Kinabalu: The Remarkable Legacy of Lilian Gibbs

Lilian Gibbs, Plant Explorer

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. September 10, 1870 On this day in horticultural history, we find ourselves transported to an era when botanical discovery required more than merely consulting The Garden magazine or ordering from the latest nursery…

Read More

A Botanical Love Story: The Remarkable Life of Mary Strong Clemens

Mary Strong Clemens

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. April 13, 1968 On this day, we commemorate the passing of Mary Strong Clemens, a botanical virtuoso whose life was as vibrant and diverse as the flora she so passionately collected. One cannot…

Read More

The Poet Botanist: Adelbert von Chamisso’s Floral Legacy

Adelbert van Chamiso

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. August 21,  On this day, my darling garden enthusiasts, we remember the passing of a most fascinating character in our botanical pantheon – the botanist and German poet Adelbert von Chamisso. Picture it,…

Read More

Pehr Kalm’s Niagara Adventure: A Botanical Discovery Day

Pehr Kalm

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. August 13, 1750 On this day, my most cherished garden companions, the esteemed botanist Pehr Kalm graced the magnificent Niagara Falls with his discerning presence. One can almost hear the thunderous cascade serving…

Read More

The Late-Blooming Botanist: Ynes Mexia’s Extraordinary Legacy

Ynes Mexia

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. May 24, 1870 On this day, dear readers, the gardening world received a most remarkable gift – though none would know it for decades to come. Today marks the birth of Ynes Mexia,…

Read More

Agnes Chase: The Grass Ceiling Breaker

Agnes Chase with specimens

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. April 29, 1869 On this day, dear readers and fellow admirers of botanical trailblazers, we celebrate the birth of Agnes Chase, a petite powerhouse who would go on to become one of the…

Read More