The hidden horticulturists : the untold story of the men who shaped Britain's gardens

Book 2019

In 2012, whilst working at the Royal Horticultural Society's library, Fiona Davison unearthed a collection of handwritten letters that dated back to 1822. The letters, each carefully set out in neat copperplate writing, had been written by young gardeners in support of their application to be received into the Society's Garden. Amongst them was a letter from the young Joseph Paxton, who would go on to become one of Britain's best-known gardeners...

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Horticulturists Great Britain Biography

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Biographies

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ISBN:

9781786495075
1786495074

Description:

xiv, 352 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index

Contents:

Prologue: 'The handwriting of under-gardeners and labourers'
Introduction: A garden to grow gardeners
Chapter one. 'The beau ideal': The horticultural elite
Chapter two. 'Much judgement and good taste': The gardeners who set standards
Chapter three. 'A great number of deserving men': Life lower down the horticultural ladder
Chapter four. 'The most splendid plant I ever held': The collector
Chapter five. 'Much attached to Egypt': Travelling gardeners
Chapter six. 'Young foreigners of respectability': Trainees from abroad
Chapter seven. 'A little order into chaos': The fruit experts
Chapter eight. 'For sale at moderate prices': The nurserymen
Chapter nine. 'A solitary wanderer': The Australian adventurer
Chapter ten. 'Habits of order and good conduct': The rise and fall of a head gardener
Chapter eleven. 'A very respectable-looking young man': Criminals in the garden
Epilogue. 'Glory has departed': What happened next?

LCCN:

2019393973

Control Number:

3286590

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