Posts Tagged ‘British garden history’
Vita Sackville-West: Literary Icon and Garden Designer of Sissinghurst Castle
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. March 9, 1892 Dearest reader, On this day, we remember the birth of Vita Sackville-West, an English author and garden designer whose creative spirit forever transformed the art of gardening. Together with her…
Read MoreChelsea Flower Show: Historic Beginning of the Iconic Garden Event
The Royal Horticultural Society’s Great Spring Show May 20, 1913 On this day, the first Chelsea Flower Show was held at Chelsea General Hospital. Originally called the Royal Horticultural Society’s Great Spring Show, the first Chelsea Flower Show was held in 1862 at the RHS garden in Kensington. Staged in a single tent, the first…
Read MoreThomas Hayton Mawson: Edwardian Landscape Architect and Visionary Town Planner
Thomas H. Mawson & Sons May 5, 1861 Today is the birthday of British garden designer, prolific Edwardian Landscape Architect, and town planner Thomas Hayton Mawson who was born in Lancashire. When Thomas was a teenager, his dad started a nursery and fruit farm in Yorkshire. Thomas loved the orchard, but his happiness came to…
Read MoreLeonard and Virginia Woolf: The Garden at Monk’s House
Monk’s House November 25, 1880 Today is the birthday of the British political theorist, writer, publisher, civil servant, and gardener Leonard Sidney Woolf. Leonard was the husband of Virginia Woolf. Leonard was the primary gardener and garden designer of Monk’s House – although Virginia helped him. Virginia and Leonard lived at the house when they…
Read MoreMavis Batey: WWIl Hero and Garden Historian
The Code-Breaking Gardener November 12, 2013 Today is the anniversary of the death of the World War II hero and garden historian and restorer extraordinaire Mavis Batey, who died at the age of 92. Mavis broke the German Enigma code, which allowed the Allied forces to stage their D-Day invasion. In the back half of…
Read MoreJames Dickson: From Scottish Gardener to Founder of English Horticulture
The “Lynx-eyed” Seedsman Today is the anniversary of the death of the Scottish nurseryman and seedsman James Dickson. James Dickson led a remarkable life. He was born to a poor family in Scotland. As a young boy, he began working as a gardener on the nearby estate of an Earl. The job was a perfect…
Read MoreThe Master of Landscapes: Remembering Capability Brown’s Enduring Gardens
Lady Nature’s Second Husband Today is the anniversary of the death of the renowned landscape gardener Lancelot Capability Brown. In the 1730s, Lancelot ended up at Stowe, working for the great William Kent – the eminent painter and Landscape Architect. The garden at Stowe was a landscape garden with lots of straight lines and formality.…
Read MoreFrom Churchyard to Garden Museum: John Tradescant’s Lasting Legacy
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: April 17, 1638 On this day, dear readers, we mark a somber yet significant moment in horticultural history. For it was on this date, that the mortal remains of John Tradescant the elder were laid to rest in the hallowed ground of St Mary…
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