The Shade Gardener Who Gave Us Hosta ‘Frances Williams’

Frances Ropes Williams

Hybridizing Hostas Today is the birthday of the woman who is remembered for one of the most popular hostas in American gardens: Frances Ropes Williams. Frances had a shady garden in Winchester, Massachusetts. And, what is the most-used plant by shade gardeners? Hostas. That’s right. And Frances had an appreciation for hostas before they became…

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July 23, 2020 Garden Hose Love Hate, Mukdenia rossii ‘Crimson Fans’, St. Phocas, Frances Ropes Williams, John Goldie, Garden Poetry, Mister Owita’s Guide to Gardening by Carol Wall, and Radish, Salmon, and Radish Green Salsa Verde Toasts

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 My Relationship With My Garden Hose | May Dreams Gardens “In the spring, we optimistically buy that big heavy hose that is guaranteed to last…

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First Lady of Hostas: Frances Williams and Her Accidental Immortality

Frances Ropes Williams

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. July 23, 1883 On this day, dear garden friends,  Frances Ropes Williams made her grand entrance into the world—a woman destined to revolutionize the shady corners of American gardens while most of her…

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July 23, 2019 St. Phocas the Gardener, Frances Ropes Williams, John Goldie, Raymond A. Foss, The Living Landscape by Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy, Wedding Tulle, and Cashew Tarragon Pesto

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 Monologue Today, Catholics honor St. Phocas the Gardener, who lived in Turkey during the third century. A protector of persecuted Christians, Phocas grew crops in his garden…

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