Posts Tagged ‘gardening legacy’
A Gardener’s Last Spring: Remembering Edward Ward
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. October 31, 1804 On this day, gardener Edward Ward laid down his trowel for the last time. He was 92. Edward wasn’t just any gardener – he was part of an extraordinary lineage…
Read MoreVita Sackville-West: Sissinghurst’s Poet and Garden Muse
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. June 2, 1962 Dearest garden reader, On this day, we remember the passing of Vita Sackville-West, a woman of deep complexities and extraordinary talents—English author, poet, and one of the most influential garden…
Read MoreRichard Henry Martin Robinson: Master Gardener and Photographer Behind Hyde Hall’s Transformation
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. March 21, 1917 Dearest reader, On this day, we celebrate the birth of Richard Henry Martin Robinson, a gardener and professional horticultural photographer who earned his place among the foremost gardeners of his…
Read MoreVita 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 MoreKurt Bluemel: Maryland’s Mr. Grass and the King of Ornamental Grasses
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. March 7, 2001 Dearest reader, On this day, The Baltimore Sun shared a lively story about Kurt Bluemel (“Blu-MEL”), Maryland’s esteemed nurseryman and landscaper affectionately known as “Mr. Grass” and “The King of…
Read MoreAnna Gilman Hill: The Graceful Gardener Behind Grey Gardens and Director of the Garden Club of America
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. February 25, 1872 Dearest reader, On this day, we mark the birth of a remarkable woman who left an indelible imprint on American horticulture and society—Anna Gilman Hill. As the Director of the Garden…
Read MoreEdgar Albert Guest: The People’s Poet and Garden Dreamer
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. September 20, 1881 Dearest readers, On this day, we gather to honor the birth of Edgar Albert Guest, a British-born American poet whose verses became a heartfelt hymn to everyday joys, sorrows, and…
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 MorePercy Thrower: The Gardener Who Brought Gardening to British Television
The Windsor Writer March 18, 1988 And today is the anniversary of the death of the British Gardner broadcaster and writer, Percy Thrower. As a young boy, Percy wanted to grow up to be a head gardener – just like his father. After spending his entire childhood learning from his dad, he became a journeyman…
Read MoreFrances Garnet Wolseley: Pioneer of Women’s Gardening Education
Gardening for Women December 24, 1936 Today is the anniversary of the death of the influential English gardening author and instructor, Frances Garnet Wolseley. A lifelong single lady, Frances devoted herself to gardening and gardening education. In 1902, on her thirtieth birthday, Frances created the Glynde College for Lady Gardeners on her father’s garden in…
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 MoreR.H. Shumway: Pioneer Seedsman and Mail-Order Seed Innovator
The Shumway Seed Today is the birthday of a pioneering seedsman out of Rockford, Illinois, Roland Hallet Shumway – who always went by his initials R.H. The RH Shumway Seed Company became the world’s largest mail-order seed company; their “Marketmore” seeds are especially popular. Famous Shumway Seed customers included Bing Crosby and Perry Como. When…
Read MoreCharles Sumner Lambie: Denver Engineer and Orchid Enthusiast
The Rare Orchid Breeder On this day, the Amarillo Daily News ran an article featuring Charles Sumner Lambie, who was a Denver area civil engineer by day and a rare orchid breeder by night. Charles grew up in Pittsburgh, tending the family garden. He later married Margaret McCandless, and together they raised nine children. As…
Read MoreGraham Stuart Thomas: Master Nurseryman and Rose Expert
A Life in the Garden Today is the birthday of Graham Stuart Thomas. GST was fundamentally a nurseryman and he lived a life fully immersed in the garden. His passion was sparked at a young age by a special birthday present he was given when he turned six: a beautiful potted fuchsia. In 2003. his…
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