William John Caparne Archives

Sir 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…

Sir Michael Foster: The Pioneer of Modern Iris Breeding

“In hybridizing, be bold” Today is the anniversary of the death of the English physician and iris breeder Sir Michael Foster. In the late 1890s, Michael became the first person to crossbreed and name new varieties of Iris. Michael started working with purple and yellow iris. He was successfully able to produce a beautiful blend…

January 29, 2020 Seeds and Berries, Ghost Orchid Pollinators, George Engelmann, Sir Michael Foster, Olga Owen Huckins, Otto Emery Jennings, Sara Teasdale, Robert Frost, Hippie Food by Jonathan Kauffman, Garden Bunting, Marcus Whitman, and Larry McGraw

The Daily Gardener Podcast Album Cover with a pot of rosemary - the herb for remembrance - beckoning gardeners to remember to listen to the show. Updated September 2025.

Subscribe Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Support The Daily Gardener Buy Me A Coffee Connect for FREE! The Friday Newsletter | Daily Gardener Community Curated News Seeds and Berries “As a wildlife gardener, you can help wildlife have a year-round bounty by leaving the seed heads and berries intact, while still…