oak trees Archives

A Child of the Forest – Heinrich Cotta’s Legacy

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. October 30, 1763 It was on this day that Heinrich Cotta [HINE-rick COT-ah] was born beneath the open sky of Kleine Zillbach [KLINE-eh TSIL-bock], Germany. His personal account of his origin story reads…

Andre Michaux’s Discovery: Rhododendron minus Along the Tugalo River

André Michaux, a prominent French botanist and explorer known for his extensive study of North American flora.

The Rhododendron minus December 4, 1788 On this day, Andre Michaux made his way from Georgia into South Carolina by crossing the Tugalo River. In his journal, Michaux wrote: “At dawn, I went to look at the banks of the river, and I recognized the yellow root, [a new species of rhododendron], mountain laurel, hydrangea,…

Harold Hillier and the Legacy of Britain’s Champion Trees

Harold Hillier with his propagator Vic Polovsky.

Hillier Arboretum January 8, 1985 Today is the anniversary of the death of conservationist and plantsman Harold Hillier. In 1864, Hilliard’s grandfather Edwin began the family Nursery. His son was supposed to take over the family business, but he died during the war, and so it fell to Edwin’s grandson Harald to continue his legacy.…

Jacob Schneck and the Legacy of the Schneck Oak

Schneck Oak Today is the birthday of the Indiana physician, naturalist, and botanist Jacob Schneck who was born on this day in 1843. After his service in the Civil War, Jacob decided to educate himself by going to school to become a teacher. After teaching for a short period, he decided he wanted to become…

Kate Sessions: The Mother of Balboa Park and San Diego’s Jacaranda Legacy

A Teacher of Horticulture and Botany Today is the birthday of American botanist, horticulturist, and landscape architect Kate Sessions, who was born on this day in 1857. As a young woman, Kate had traveled to San Diego to teach, but she ended up following her passion and bought a local nursery in 1885. Before long,…

Henry David Thoreau’s Autumn Reflections: Observing Nature’s Seasonal Shift

Henry David Thoreau. He was a prominent American essayist, poet, and philosopher, known for his writings on naturalism, transcendentalism, and civil disobedience.

Approaching Winter On this day in 1855, Henry David Thoreau wrote in his journal: “The winter is approaching. The birds are almost all gone. The note of the ‘dee de de’ sounds now more distinct, prophetic of winter, as I go amid the wild apples on Nawshawtuct. The autumnal dandelion sheltered by this apple-tree trunk…

From Royal Gardens to American Forests: The Legacy of Francois-Andre Michaux

Gilbert Stuart Williamstown Portrait of George Washington.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. August 16, 2023 Today is the birthday of François-Andre Michaux, my darling green-thumbed companions. A man whose legacy blooms eternal in our botanical hearts. He was the son of the botanist, Andrea Michaux.…

Orchids, Oaks, and One Remarkable Woman: The Legacy of Aimée Camus

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. May 1, 2023 Today, we celebrate the birthday of one Aimée Antoinette Camus (“kah-MEW”), born in 1879—a French botanist of remarkable distinction who has somehow escaped the spotlight that should rightfully shine upon…