Posts Tagged ‘plant hybridization’
Karl Friedrich von Gaertner: Cultivating the Future of Plant Science
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. May 1, 1772 On this day, Karl Friedrich von Gaertner, a German botanist with a name that destiny seemed to have chosen, was born. Gaertner, which translates to “gardener,” was indeed a fitting…
Read MoreFrom Desert to Doorstep: The Legacy of Edward Hummel
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 29, 1978 On this day, the gardening world bid farewell to Edward Hummel, a remarkable American plantsman and hybridizer whose green thumb left an indelible mark on the landscape of exotic horticulture.…
Read MoreJohn Bartram: Father of American Botany and Pioneer of the First U.S. Botanical Garden
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. March 23, 1699 Dearest reader, On this day, we celebrate the birth of John Bartram, a true pioneer of American botany and exploration who laid the very roots of botanical science in the…
Read MoreSir Michael Foster: The pioneering iris breeder who taught nature her secrets
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. March 8, 1836 Dearest reader, On this day, we mark the birth of Sir Michael Foster, a visionary English physician whose passion reached far beyond the healing of mankind—he became the revered father…
Read MoreLuther Burbank: The Plant Magician’s Legacy of Blossoms and Innovation
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. March 7, 1849 Dearest reader, On this day, the world welcomed Luther Burbank, an American botanist and horticulturist whose green thumb shaped the very face of modern gardening and agriculture. Across an astonishing…
Read MoreGeorge Russell’s lupins: The gardener who painted Britain’s gardens in color
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. October 15, 1951 Dearest reader, On this day, the garden world bows its head in remembrance of the death of George Russell, a man whose devotion to botany rivals my fondness for…
Read MoreRudolph Jacob Camerarius: The Botanist Who Demonstrated Plant Sexuality
The Anther and the Pistol February 17, 1721 Today is the anniversary of the death of Rudolph Jacob Camerarius, the botanist who demonstrated the existence of sexes in plants. Rudolph was born in Germany. He was a professor of natural philosophy. Rudolph identified and defined the flower’s male parts as the anther, and he did…
Read MoreWalter Tennyson Swingle: The Plant Wizard Who Brought Date Palms to California
The Citrange January 8, 1892 Today is the birthday of the agricultural botanist and plant wizard Walter Tennyson Swingle. Walter was a very popular botanist during his lifetime. Walter introduced the Date Palm to California, and he created many new citruses through hybridizing. In 1897, Walter made the first man-made cross of a Bowen Grapefruit…
Read MoreMarshall Pinckney Wilder: Massachusetts Merchant, Horticulturist, and Pomology Pioneer
The Massachusetts Merchant December 16, 1886 Today is the anniversary of the death of the Massachusetts merchant, amateur horticulturist, and politician Marshall Pinckney Wilder. When Marshall started out in life, his father gave him three options: attend college, start a farm, or work in the family store. Marshall elected to farm. But like Michael in…
Read MoreVictor Lemoine: The Master Breeder of Lilacs and Garden Treasures
Lilac Magic December 11, 1911 Today is the anniversary of the death of the French flower breeder Victor Lemoine (“Loom-one”), who died on this day in 1911. Victor enhanced the beauty of so many flowers in our gardens: Lilacs, Mock-Oranges, Phlox, Peonies, Gladiolus, Tuberous Begonias, Geraniums, and Deutzias. Around the year 1850, Victor borrowed money…
Read MoreAlbert Etter: The Apple Visionary Behind the Pink Pearl
Ettersburg Ranch November 27, 1872 Today is the birthday of a lifelong American plantsman and master plant breeder Albert Etter. Albert was a born horticulturist. When most children are mastering the alphabet and learning to tie their shoes, Albert was learning to graft and hybridize plants. By the time Albert was 12, his plant…
Read MoreWilliam James Caparne: Botanical Painter, Plantsman, and Iris Enthusiast
Flowers and Art November 17, 1855 Today is the birthday of the botanical painter, plantsman, and iris enthusiast William James Caparne (“Cap-arn”). A close friend of the English daffodil grower Peter Barr, William made his way to Guernsey at midlife to become a full-time landscape and flower painter. When he wasn’t painting, William was busy…
Read MoreAlbert Francis Blakeslee: Pioneer American Botanist and Geneticist
Plant Genetics November 16, 1954 Today is the anniversary of the death of the prominent American botanist and geneticist Albert Francis Blakeslee. For his doctoral dissertation, Albert revealed incredible new facts about bread molds: bread molds can be male or female, and bread molds have sex. In 1937, Albert proved that colchicine caused chromosomes to…
Read MoreEllen Ann Willmott: The Horticultural Powerhouse Behind Warley Place
The Warley Place Horticulturalist Today is the birthday of Ellen Ann Willmott, who was an English horticulturalist who lived in Brentwood. Ellen was the oldest in her family of three daughters. In 1875, her parents moved to Warley Place, which was set on 33 acres of land in Essex. Ellen lived there for the rest…
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