Following on from last week’s history of the crocus this week’s going to look at the man who really popularised them in Britain. Edward Augustus Bowles -“Gussie” or “Bowlesy” to his friends – was one of the 20th century’s great gardeners. Largely self-taught he was an accomplished artist, entomologist and botanist and an entertaining and knowledgeable writer who travelled widely with many eminent plant hunters of the day including his good friend, the plant hunter Reginald Farrer, who called him both “Little Father Augustus” and “The Crocus King”.
Apart from the remarkable garden he created at Myddelton House, his life-long home on the outskirts of Enfield, and the many cultivars he raised, Bowles became a stalwart of the Royal Horticultural Society volunteering for them for over 50 years. He also authored several books which are still highly readable.
A grey and drizzly day in January probably isn’t the best time to see a garden but I hope the photos encourage you to go and visit Myddelton as soon as you can.
What do you know about Queen Charlotte?
The Garden History Blog 
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