October Archives

October 6, 2021 Garden Border Ideas, Charles Wilkins Short, André Soulié, Levi James Russell, Susan Hill, The Tree Book by Michael Dirr and Keith Warren, and Chris Howell

Today in botanical history, we celebrate a Kentucky botanist, a French priest and plant explorer, and a Texas doctor and botanist. We’ll hear an excerpt from Susan Hill’s book, The Magic Apple Tree. We Grow That Garden Library™ with another great book by Michael Dirr. And then we’ll wrap things up with a reminder from…

A Song of October

by Phebe Ann Holder The softened light, the veiling haze, The calm repose of autumn days, Steal gently over the troubled breast, Soothing life’s weary cares to rest. — Phebe Ann Holder, New England poet, A Song of October November 27, 1824 Today is the birthday of the New England poet…

One Fine October Morning

by Anonymous One fine October morning In September, last July The sun lay thick upon the ground The snow shone in the sky The flowers were singing gaily The birds were full in bloom So I went down to the cellar To clean the upstairs room — Anonymous As featured onThe Daily Gardener podcast: Words…

A Look Back at the Seasonal Cranberry Market of 1843

“We had no idea, until today, of the quantity sold in this city. One house in Front street, sold within a few days, 250 barrels, received from Michigan, at $6 – $6.50 per barrel, and have had application for more than they can supply.” October 18, 1843 On this day, cranberries were causing a sensation in…

John Evelyn

The Detailed Diary of John Evelyn Today is the birthday of the English Gardner and writer John Evelyn who was born on this day in 1620. Evelyn kept a detailed diary for 66 years, and he had an excellent understanding of trees. In 1664, Evelyn wrote a treaty called A Discourse of Forest Trees. It was…

John Keats

Ode to Autumn Today is the birthday of the English romantic lyric poet John Keats who was born in 1795. During his short life, (Keats died from tuberculosis at the age of 25), his poems didn’t make much of a mark. But after his death, Keat’s reputation grew, and today, he is considered one…

Richard Morris Hunt

The Gilded Age Architect Today is the anniversary of the death of Richard Morris Hunt, who was an American architect during the gilded age. Gardeners know Hunt for his collaborations with the Frederick Law Olmsted. They worked together on the Vanderbilt mausoleum and the Chicago world‘s fair. Their ultimate collaboration occurred in Asheville, North Carolina,…

Charles Totty

Fifth Avenue Flowers On this day in 1913, the horticulturist Charles Totty received a medal from the New York Horticultural Society for developing a new rose called “Shell Pink Shawyer.” Totty immigrated to the United States from England. He was known as CH to his friends Totty was a shrewd businessman. On April Fools’ Day…

Andrew Jackson Downing

A Founder of American Lanscape Architecture Today is the birthday of Andrew Jackson Downing, who was born on this day in 1815. Downing was an American horticulturist and the author of The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, which came out in 1845. He also served as the editor of a magazine called The Horticulturist. Regarded as…

Woodbines In October

by Charlotte Fiske Bates As dyed in blood, the streaming vines appear, While long and low the wind about them grieves; The heart of autumn must have broken here And poured Its treasure out upon the leaves. As featured onThe Daily Gardener podcast: Words inspired by the garden are the sweetest, most beautiful words of…

Corn and Grain

Wiccan Harvest Chant Corn and grain, corn and grain, All that falls shall rise again. As featured onThe Daily Gardener podcast: Words inspired by the garden are the sweetest, most beautiful words of all.

Letting Go: Garden Writer Elizabeth Lawrence on the Death of her Father

Elizabeth Lawrence Welcomes at the Garden Gate

“Autumn asks that we prepare for the future — that we be wise in the ways of garnering and keeping. But it also asks that we learn to let go — to acknowledge the beauty of sparseness.” Late October, 1935, Duke Hospital in Durham The garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence visited her father in the hospital.…

Alfred Sisley

The Impressionist Landscape Painter Today is the birthday of Alfred Sisley, who was born on this day in 1839. Sisley was an impressionist landscape painter. He painted landscapes almost exclusively, and he especially loved natural, untouched scenes. Gardeners enjoy his paintings called A Garden Path and The Kitchen Garden. This post was featured…

George Plummer Burns

The Rules for Landscaping Today is the birthday of the botanist George Plummer Burns who was born on this day in 1871. Burns was the chairman of the UVM botany department. He also had served as the superintendent of the park department for Burlington, Vermont. When I was researching Burns, I stumbled on a newspaper…