Author Archives: The Garden History Blog

One of the things that almost never ceases to amaze me is how many plants have been named after people who had little or no connections with them, and often wouldn’t even have known they existed let alone seen them. … Continue reading →

As regular readers will know I’m very fond of the work of garden writer Beverley Nichols, but until recently I hadn’t really taken much notice of his interest and involvement in flower arranging. True the subject crops up in several … Continue reading →

The Rothschild family have long had a reputation as great garden makers but while Waddesdon, Exbury or Ascott might be the sites that immediately spring to mind,  it was actually Gunnersbury Park bought by Nathan and Hannah Rothschild  for £17,000 … Continue reading →

Let’s  begin with a conundrum:  what’s special about Gunnersbury Park?  More specifically, why does it boast not one but two large houses,   both built around 1800-1802 which stand  side by side almost within touching distance of each other? Nowadays … Continue reading →

“Pushing through the scrub, beautiful sprays of orchids forced themselves on your attention by brushing your face. The next few steps would have to be tunnelled through climbing fern, and then more orchids on trees with moisture continuously dripping off … Continue reading →