Pansies, Painters, and Prestige: The Horticultural Reign of Denys Zirngiebel

Portrait of John Denys Zirngiebel c. 1906.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 16, 1964 On this day, dear readers, we bid a fond farewell to Denys Zirngiebel, a Swiss-born naturalist whose green thumb left an indelible mark on American horticulture. Like a well-tended perennial,…

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Denys Zirngiebel: The Pansy King of Needham

A serene black and white winter landscape featuring snow-covered larch trees.

The Pansy King November 16, 1964    Today is the anniversary of the death of the Swiss-born naturalist, florist, and plant breeder Denys Zirngiebel. After marrying his wife Henrietta, the Denys immigrated to America. Once he established a home in Needham, Massachusetts, Denys sent for his wife and little boy. Denys and Henrietta had four…

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