Horace Walpole: The Gothic Gardener of Strawberry Hill

Horace Walpole by Sir Joshua Reynolds c. 1756.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. September 23, 1717 My dearest garden enthusiasts, on this day we celebrate the birth of Horace Walpole, a man who not only gave us the word ‘serendipity’ but whose “enchanted little landscape” would…

Read More

Chelsea Flower Show: Historic Beginning of the Iconic Garden Event

A garden from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a prestigious flower and landscape garden show held annually by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.

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 More