garden tourism Archives

Beyond The Thinker: Auguste Rodin’s Horticultural Haven

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 12, 1840 On this day, Auguste Rodin (oh-GOOST roh-DAN), the great French sculptor, was born. A man who found the divine in both marble and flowers – Auguste Rodin would ultimately earn…

Never Against Nature: Thomas Hanbury’s La Mortola

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. May 2, 1867 On this day, Thomas Hanbury, a man of discerning taste and boundless ambition, purchased a property that would become a testament to his love of nature and his desire to…

From Dairy Farm to Dreamscape: The Horticultural Vision of William Shenstone

William Shenstone by Thomas Ross oil on canvas feigned oval c. 1738.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 18, 1714 On this day, the garden world welcomed a true visionary – William Shenstone, English poet and landscape gardener extraordinaire, drew his first breath. Little did the world know that this…

Alexander Pope: Poet of Words, Gardens, and a Glittering Grotto

Alexander Pope (1688-1744), a prominent English poet of the 18th century, known for his satirical and philosophical works.

Bridge in Bath, Capability Brown, and Prior Park May 21, 1688 Today is the birthday of the British poet, critic, gardener, and satirist Alexander Pope. Known for his poetry and writing, Alexander Pope is less remembered for his love of gardens. Yet Alexander was a trailblazer in terms of garden design and originality. He designed…

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Celebrating Over a Century of Botanical Beauty

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York City, particularly highlighting the cherry blossoms in bloom.

Home of Hundreds of Cherry Trees May 13, 1911 On this day, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York City opened to the public. Today the garden is home to over 200 cherry trees representing forty-two different species. The garden is made up of several defined garden spaces. First, the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden was one…

Richard Savage and the Price of Garden Access

Flowering Pride of Gardens Today is the anniversary of the death of the English poet Richard Savage. Richard once wrote about a practice among the wealthy, allowing their servants to show their gardens in exchange for money. Even the Queen let her Richmond garden and cave to be viewed for a sum. It was a…

Alfred Lord Tennyson’s Birthday: Victorian Poet and His Beloved Garden

Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892), a prominent English poet who served as Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1850 until his death in 1892.

by Alfred Lord Tennyson O sound to rout the brood of cares, The sweep of scythe in morning dew, The gust that round the garden flew, And tumbled half the mellowing pears! Note: Today is the birthday of Alfred Lord Tennyson, who was born on this day in 1809. Tennyson was the fourth of…

Paul de Longpré: The King of Flowers and His Lost Hollywood Garden

The King of Flowers (aka Joujou’s Father) April 18, 1855 Today is the birthday of the botanist and flower breeder Paul de Longpré (Books By This Author). Known as the “King of Flowers,” Paul painted exceptional portrayals of roses (his first love) and wildflowers (his second love). If you look at Paul’s work, you’ll find…