Author Archives: The Garden History Blog

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Blackberries…

Posted on 17/10/2015 by The Garden History Blog

When asked what is a “blackberry”, apparently 82% of people aged 16-24 instantly imagined a mobile phone rather than a fruit, according to a 2013 survey for YouGov. They don’t know what they’re missing! This glorious late summer weather [OK… this was … Continue reading →

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Joseph Knight & his Exotic Nursery

Posted on 10/10/2015 by The Garden History Blog

We tend to think of gardeners being poor – unless of course they’re celebs on the box – and it’s hard to think of many gardeners in history who became rich. But there are exceptions and one such was Joseph … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged greenhouse, John Claudius Loudon, nurserymen, Paxton, plant hunters, South Africa, vei | 1 Comment

A pineapple? Gosh…thank you Mr Rose!

Posted on 03/10/2015 by The Garden History Blog

I’m sure many of you will know the painting of Charles II being offered a pineapple by his gardener, John Rose. It has been widely used to demonstrate that British horticulture had become so advanced by the later 17thc that … Continue reading →

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The Sweet Pea and its king…

Posted on 26/09/2015 by The Garden History Blog

Sweet peas are one of the glories of the garden. Relatively easy to grow and loved by everybody for their heady scent and delicate colouring, it’s hard to believe that the vast range of varieties we grow all descend from a plant … Continue reading →

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Mounds & Mounts 2: the heights of fashion

Posted on 19/09/2015 by The Garden History Blog

Last week’s post showed how earlier landscape features such as tumuli and castle mottes were reused to create prospect mounds in gardens. But by the mid-16thc mounts were also being deliberately constructed to gain a view not only over the garden … Continue reading →