Revolutionary Gardener: The Many Lives of Edward Hyams

Edward Hyams by Mark Gerson (colorized)

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. September 30, 1910 Today we celebrate the birth of Edward Solomon Hyams, that fascinating polymath whose life embodied the rare intersection of revolutionary politics, practical horticulture, and scholarly dedication. As we shall see,…

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From Cuttings to Cuvées: The Birth of Australian Viticulture

Clusters of G rapes on the Vine in a Vneyard

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 15, 1791 On this day, dear horticultural enthusiasts, we find ourselves transported to the antipodean shores of Australia, where a most auspicious event was about to unfold – one that would shape…

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The First American Vineyard: John James Dufour’s Legacy

John James Dufour

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. August 30, 1798 My dearest garden companions and vine-loving confidantes, what a splendid historical tidbit I have for you today! On this day in 1798, the first American vineyard was planted 25 miles…

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Elsa Beate Bunga: The Countess Who Defied Botanical Boundaries

Carl Linnaeus letter 3 December 1768 to Elsa Beata Wrede,

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. April 18, 1734 On this day, dear readers and fellow admirers of botanical mavericks, we celebrate the birth of Elsa Beate Bunga, a Swedish botanist who was, to put it mildly, quite the…

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