From Stage to Soil: Helen Hayes’ Dual Passions

Helen Hayes MacArthur c. 1947

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. October 10, 1900 On this day, dear readers and fellow cultivators of both stage and soil, we celebrate the birth of a true luminary in the world of theatre and, as it happens,…

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Sowing Seeds of Solace: Monty Don’s Gardening Philosophy

Monty Don

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. July 8, 1955 On this day, dear garden enthusiasts, we celebrate the birth of a true horticultural luminary – the incomparable Monty Don. Born in the green and pleasant land of England, Monty…

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Helen Mirren: From Stage to Soil—A Journey into Pomegranate Farming

Helen Mirren

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. April 7, 2020 Dearest garden reader, On this day, the world caught a glimpse of a different facet of the luminous Dame Helen Mirren, a renowned English actor and a surprisingly devoted gardener and farmer.…

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From Macabre to Marigolds: Vincent Price’s Horticultural Haven

Vincent with the totem in his garden.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. May 27, 1911 On this day, dear reader, we celebrate the birth of a most intriguing figure in the annals of both cinema and horticulture: Vincent Price. While his name may conjure images…

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Audrey Hepburn’s Gardens of the World and Her Timeless Rose

Audrey Hepburn, a Belgian-born British actress and humanitarian.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s May 4, 1929 Today is the birthday of Academy Award-winning actress and gardener Audrey Hepburn.  The Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) star appeared with Penelope Hobhouse and Graham Stuart Thomas on the 1991 PBS special  “Gardens of the World.” The series featured sixty gardens over eight episodes. They included Monet’s garden at Giverny, the Villa…

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Mary Pickford: Hollywood’s Tree Lover and Rose-Petal Eater

Mary Pickford, a pioneering figure in early cinema. Known as "America's Sweetheart," she was a celebrated silent film actress, famous for portraying youthful characters.

America’s Sweetheart April 8, 1892 Today is the birthday of America’s sweetheart, Hollywood legend, and lover of trees, Mary Pickford, born Gladys Marie Smith. Jump on Twitter, search for “Mary Pickford Tree,” and you’ll see images of Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford planting a tree at their PickFair estate. #ArborDay Mary Pickford was the first…

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Clark Gable and Carole Lombard: Hollywood’s Farming Sweethearts

Clark Gable, often referred to as the "King of Hollywood".

Ma and Pa December 1, 1932 On this day, the American actor Clark Gable was photographed at his Beverly Hills villa watering his flowers. By the end of the decade, Clark would marry Carole Lombard, an actress who shared Clark’s love for the natural world. As newlyweds, Carole and Clark had bought a 21-acre estate…

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Mary Pickford: The Rose-Eating Starlet with a Green Thumb

Mary Pickford thumbnail image

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. April 8, 1892 On this day, America’s sweetheart and Hollywood legend Mary Pickford was born Gladys Marie Smith—a woman who, dear readers, possessed not only a talent for captivating audiences but also a…

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