Posts Tagged ‘Victorian horticulture’
From Amazon to Windsor: The Water Lily Tale
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 13, 1849 On this day, a most extraordinary presentation took place at Windsor Castle. Queen Victoria, known for her love of botanical wonders, was about to encounter her magnificent namesake – the…
Read MoreShirley Hibberd: The People’s Gardener of the Victorian Age
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 16, 1890 On this day, Shirley Hibberd, the English journalist and garden writer, died. He is remembered as one of the most successful and beloved gardening writers of the Victorian era —…
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 MoreJohn Claudius Loudon: Prolific Scottish Botanist, Garden Designer, and Author
The Suburban Gardener April 8, 1783 Today is the birthday of the Scottish author, garden designer, and botanist John Claudius Loudon. A massively popular and breathtakingly prolific writer on horticulture, John focused on serving the expanding middle class’s needs who wanted to have smaller gardens. 1838, Loudon wrote a book called The Suburban Gardener and…
Read MoreJane Loudon: Groundbreaking Writer and Horticulturist
The Science Fiction Author Today is the anniversary of the death of Jane Loudon, who married the prolific garden writer and publisher: John Claudius Loudon. Jane was a fantastic writer in her own right, but she also possessed an inner determination; she was a survivor. When her father lost the family fortune and died penniless…
Read MorePeter Barr: The Daffodil King Who Popularized the Yellow Bloom
The Daffodil King Today is the anniversary of the death of the Scottish horticulturist known as “The Daffodil King, Peter Barr, who died on this day at the age of 84 years old in 1909. Since Queen Victoria was not a fan of daffodils, Barr had much to overcome. At his home in Surrey, he…
Read MoreJames Veitch Jr.: Visionary Nurseryman of Veitch Nurseries and Influential Horticulturist
A Family Business Today is the anniversary of the death of James Veitch Jr., who died on this day in 1869. Veitch was born into the famous family nursery business known the world over as Veitch Nurseries. His grandfather, John, had started the business. After growing up and learning the business from his father and…
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