Plantsman
Encyclopedia
A plantsman is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable gardener (amateur or professional), nurseryman
or nurserywoman. "Plantsman" can refer to a male or female person, though the terms plantswoman, or even plantsperson, are sometimes used.
The word is sometimes said to be synonym
ous with "horticulturist", but that indicates a profession
al involvement, whereas "plantsman" reflects an attitude to (and perhaps even an obsession
with) plants. A horticulturist may be a plantsman, but a plantsman is not necessarily a horticulturist.
published by the Royal Horticultural Society
), Sandra Raphael (then a senior editor
in the Dictionary
Department of the Oxford University Press
) contributed a short article on the history and meaning of the word. Her first example came from an issue of the Gardeners' Chronicle of 1881, when it seemed to mean "A nurseryman, a florist" (in the early sense of "florist" as a grower and breeder of flowers, rather than the more recent meaning
of someone who sells or arranges them). She added that a modern definition should point out that "plantsman"
In her article, Raphael also quotes botanist David McClintock (writing in the Botanical Society of the British Isles
' BSBI News, December 1976) on how to distinguish a botanist
from a plantsman, beginning with the simple definition:
(ca 1570s–1638) and his son, John Tradescant the younger
(1608–1662), must head the list of historic plantsmen. Charles de l'Ecluse
, better known as Carolus Clusius (1526–1609), and Carolus Linnaeus
(1707–1778) are other examples. These early botanists, who certainly grew (and sometimes had also collected) many of the plants they described, can be described as plantsmen (though such a term did not exist in their lifetimes).
By contrast, adventurous plant-hunters such as David Douglas
(1799–1834), who dedicated (and lost) his life to searching out and collecting plants from the wild, were seldom gardeners and rarely grew the plants they had collected, so perhaps do not count as plantsmen, despite their great knowledge and dedication. Augustine Henry
(1857–1930) was a pioneering plant-collector in Western China in the late 19th century who became a professional forester
in later life. On the other hand, EH Wilson
(1876–1930), also famed for his work in China (to the extent that he was known as Ernest "Chinese" Wilson), began as a gardener and, after working at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
, became a plant collector, first for James Veitch & Sons (nurserymen) and later for the Arnold Arboretum.
Irish nurseryman William Baylor Hartland
(1836–1912) specialised in daffodils in the late 19th century from his nursery in Cork. He was also an authority on apples. Because of their in-depth knowledge, specialist plant-breeders can certainly be considered as plantsmen in their own fields (though the term is often taken to imply a more encyclopaedic interest in a wide range of plants).
Influential garden writers such as William Robinson
(1838–1935) and garden-designer Gertrude Jekyll
(1843–1932) disseminated their knowledge of plants through their writing, as did a later generation of plant-lovers including Margery Fish (1892–1969) and Vita Sackville-West
(1892–1962), whose garden at Sissinghurst Castle
, created with her husband Harold Nicolson
, is still one of the most popular in Britain and owned by the National Trust
.
Reginald Farrer
(1880–1920) was a notable plant-hunter and influential writer in the more specialised area of alpine plant
s and rock garden
ing.
, the late Christopher Lloyd
of Great Dixter
and Beth Chatto
. American nurserymen plant-collectors who qualify for the title include Dan Heims of Terra Nova Nurseries, Dan Hinkley
, co-founder of Heronswood
(now an independent author, lecturer and horticultural consultant), and Tony Avent
, owner of the renowned Plant Delights Nursery
.
European
candidates include Princess Greta Sturdza of Le Vasterival, near Dieppe
; the late Robert and Jelena de Belder, the principal creators of Arboretum Kalmthout
, Belgium; and influential Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf
, who has pioneered the use of "prairie
-style" planting with bold drifts of perennials
and grasses at gardens such as Scampston Hall
, North Yorkshire
and the RHS Garden, Wisley
, Surrey
in the UK
and at Enköping
in Sweden
. Oudolf is designing a Garden of Remembrance for the victims of 9/11
in Battery Park (New York).
Louis Benech (France) is also a famous plantsman.
Nursery (horticulture)
A nursery is a place where plants are propagated and grown to usable size. They include retail nurseries which sell to the general public, wholesale nurseries which sell only to businesses such as other nurseries and to commercial gardeners, and private nurseries which supply the needs of...
or nurserywoman. "Plantsman" can refer to a male or female person, though the terms plantswoman, or even plantsperson, are sometimes used.
The word is sometimes said to be synonym
Synonym
Synonyms are different words with almost identical or similar meanings. Words that are synonyms are said to be synonymous, and the state of being a synonym is called synonymy. The word comes from Ancient Greek syn and onoma . The words car and automobile are synonyms...
ous with "horticulturist", but that indicates a profession
Profession
A profession is a vocation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of which is to supply disinterested counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain....
al involvement, whereas "plantsman" reflects an attitude to (and perhaps even an obsession
Fixation (psychology)
Fixation: 'concept originated by Sigmund Freud to denote the persistence of anachronistic sexual traits'. Subsequently '"Fixation" acquired a broader connotation...
with) plants. A horticulturist may be a plantsman, but a plantsman is not necessarily a horticulturist.
Defining the word
In the first edition (June 1979) of The Plantsman (a specialist journalMagazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
published by the Royal Horticultural Society
Royal Horticultural Society
The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 in London, England as the Horticultural Society of London, and gained its present name in a Royal Charter granted in 1861 by Prince Albert...
), Sandra Raphael (then a senior editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
in the Dictionary
Dictionary
A dictionary is a collection of words in one or more specific languages, often listed alphabetically, with usage information, definitions, etymologies, phonetics, pronunciations, and other information; or a book of words in one language with their equivalents in another, also known as a lexicon...
Department of the Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
) contributed a short article on the history and meaning of the word. Her first example came from an issue of the Gardeners' Chronicle of 1881, when it seemed to mean "A nurseryman, a florist" (in the early sense of "florist" as a grower and breeder of flowers, rather than the more recent meaning
Floristry
Floristry is the general term used to describe production, commerce and trade in flowers. It encompasses flower care and handling, floral design or flower arranging, merchandising, and display and flower delivery. Wholesale florists sell bulk flowers and related supplies to professionals in the trade...
of someone who sells or arranges them). She added that a modern definition should point out that "plantsman"
- "…is usually intended to mean a connoisseurConnoisseurA connoisseur is a person who has a great deal of knowledge about the fine arts, cuisines, or an expert judge in matters of taste.Modern connoisseurship must be seen along with museums, art galleries and "the cult of originality"...
of plants or an expert gardener."
In her article, Raphael also quotes botanist David McClintock (writing in the Botanical Society of the British Isles
Botanical Society of the British Isles
The Botanical Society of the British Isles is a scientific society for the study of flora, plant distribution and taxonomy relating to Great Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The society was founded as the Botanical Society of London in 1836...
' BSBI News, December 1976) on how to distinguish a botanist
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
from a plantsman, beginning with the simple definition:
- "A plantsman is one who loves plants for their own sake and knows how to cherish them. This… concept… may include a botanist: it certainly includes a host of admirable amateurs who may not know what a chromosomeChromosomeA chromosome is an organized structure of DNA and protein found in cells. It is a single piece of coiled DNA containing many genes, regulatory elements and other nucleotide sequences. Chromosomes also contain DNA-bound proteins, which serve to package the DNA and control its functions.Chromosomes...
looks like or what taxonomyTaxonomyTaxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
means, but they know the growing plant, wild or cultivated, first-hand. To my mind they are the cream of those in the plant world, a fund of invaluable first-hand information."
Some notable plantsmen (and women)
John Tradescant the elderJohn Tradescant the elder
John Tradescant the elder , father of John Tradescant the younger, was an English naturalist, gardener, collector and traveller, probably born in Suffolk, England...
(ca 1570s–1638) and his son, John Tradescant the younger
John Tradescant the younger
John Tradescant the Younger , son of John Tradescant the elder, was a botanist and gardener, born in Meopham, Kent and educated at The King's School, Canterbury...
(1608–1662), must head the list of historic plantsmen. Charles de l'Ecluse
Charles de l'Écluse
Charles de l'Écluse, L'Escluse, or Carolus Clusius , seigneur de Watènes, was a Flemish doctor and pioneering botanist, perhaps the most influential of all 16th century scientific horticulturists....
, better known as Carolus Clusius (1526–1609), and Carolus Linnaeus
Carolus Linnaeus
Carl Linnaeus , also known after his ennoblement as , was a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of binomial nomenclature. He is known as the father of modern taxonomy, and is also considered one of the fathers of modern ecology...
(1707–1778) are other examples. These early botanists, who certainly grew (and sometimes had also collected) many of the plants they described, can be described as plantsmen (though such a term did not exist in their lifetimes).
By contrast, adventurous plant-hunters such as David Douglas
David Douglas
David Douglas was a Scottish botanist. He worked as a gardener, and explored the Scottish Highlands, North America, and Hawaii, where he died.-Early life:...
(1799–1834), who dedicated (and lost) his life to searching out and collecting plants from the wild, were seldom gardeners and rarely grew the plants they had collected, so perhaps do not count as plantsmen, despite their great knowledge and dedication. Augustine Henry
Augustine Henry
Augustine Henry was an Irish plantsman and sinologist. He is best known for sending over 15,000 dry specimens and seeds and 500 plant samples to Kew Gardens in the United Kingdom. By 1930, he was a recognised authority and was honoured with society membership in Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Finland,...
(1857–1930) was a pioneering plant-collector in Western China in the late 19th century who became a professional forester
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
in later life. On the other hand, EH Wilson
Ernest Henry Wilson
Ernest Henry "Chinese" Wilson , better known as E. H. Wilson, was a notable English plant collector who introduced a large range of about 2000 of Asian plant species to the West; some sixty bear his name.-Career:...
(1876–1930), also famed for his work in China (to the extent that he was known as Ernest "Chinese" Wilson), began as a gardener and, after working at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to as Kew Gardens, is 121 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London, England. "The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew" and the brand name "Kew" are also used as umbrella terms for the institution that runs...
, became a plant collector, first for James Veitch & Sons (nurserymen) and later for the Arnold Arboretum.
Irish nurseryman William Baylor Hartland
William Baylor Hartland
-Overview:Hartland's grandfather came to Ireland from the Kew Botanic Gardens. He established a nursery at Belview, Mallow, in 1774. Hartland's father, William, relocated the business to Cork in 1810. Hartland's brother, Henry Albert Hartland , was a well-known artist.William Hartland moved his...
(1836–1912) specialised in daffodils in the late 19th century from his nursery in Cork. He was also an authority on apples. Because of their in-depth knowledge, specialist plant-breeders can certainly be considered as plantsmen in their own fields (though the term is often taken to imply a more encyclopaedic interest in a wide range of plants).
Influential garden writers such as William Robinson
William Robinson (gardener)
William Robinson was an Irish practical gardener and journalist whose ideas about wild gardening spurred the movement that evolved into the English cottage garden, a parallel to the search for honest simplicity and vernacular style of the British Arts and Crafts movement...
(1838–1935) and garden-designer Gertrude Jekyll
Gertrude Jekyll
Gertrude Jekyll was an influential British garden designer, writer, and artist. She created over 400 gardens in the UK, Europe and the USA and contributed over 1,000 articles to Country Life, The Garden and other magazines.-Early life:...
(1843–1932) disseminated their knowledge of plants through their writing, as did a later generation of plant-lovers including Margery Fish (1892–1969) and Vita Sackville-West
Vita Sackville-West
The Hon Victoria Mary Sackville-West, Lady Nicolson, CH , best known as Vita Sackville-West, was an English author, poet and gardener. She won the Hawthornden Prize in 1927 and 1933...
(1892–1962), whose garden at Sissinghurst Castle
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
The garden at Sissinghurst Castle in the Weald of Kent, near Cranbrook, Goudhurst and Tenterden, is owned and maintained by the National Trust. It is among the most famous gardens in England.-History:...
, created with her husband Harold Nicolson
Harold Nicolson
Sir Harold George Nicolson KCVO CMG was an English diplomat, author, diarist and politician. He was the husband of writer Vita Sackville-West, their unusual relationship being described in their son's book, Portrait of a Marriage.-Early life:Nicolson was born in Tehran, Persia, the younger son of...
, is still one of the most popular in Britain and owned by the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
.
Reginald Farrer
Reginald Farrer
Reginald John Farrer , was a traveller and plant collector. He published a number of books, although is best known for My Rock Garden...
(1880–1920) was a notable plant-hunter and influential writer in the more specialised area of alpine plant
Alpine plant
Alpine plants are plants that grow in the alpine climate, which occurs at high elevation and above the tree line. Alpine plants grow together as a plant community in alpine tundra.-Alpine plant diversity:...
s and rock garden
Rock Garden
The Rock Garden or Rock Garden of Chandigarh is a Sculpture garden in Chandigarh, India, also known as Nek Chand's Rock Garden after its founder Nek Chand, a government official who started the garden secretly in his spare time in 1957. Today it is spread over an area of forty-acres , it is...
ing.
Modern plantsmen
Notable modern British plantsmen include Roy LancasterRoy Lancaster
Roy Lancaster, OBE is a British gardener and broadcaster.Charles Roy Lancaster was born in Farnworth, Bolton, Lancashire and best known for his work on the long running BBC TV programme, Gardeners' World...
, the late Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Lloyd (gardener)
Christopher Hamilton Lloyd, OBE was a British gardener and author. He was the 20th Century chronicler for the heavily planted, labour-intensive, country garden.-Life:...
of Great Dixter
Great Dixter
Great Dixter is a house in Northiam, East Sussex close to the South Coast of England. It has a famous garden which is regarded as the epitome of English plantsmanship. - House :...
and Beth Chatto
Beth Chatto
Beth Chatto, OBE is a British plantswoman, garden designer and author best known for creating the Beth Chatto Gardens near Elmstead Market, in the English county of Essex. She is also known for writing a number of books on gardening for specific conditions. She has lectured throughout the UK,...
. American nurserymen plant-collectors who qualify for the title include Dan Heims of Terra Nova Nurseries, Dan Hinkley
Daniel J. Hinkley
Daniel John Hinkley is an American plantsman, garden writer, horticulturist and nurseryman. He is best known for establishing Heronswood Nursery, in Kingston, Washington; and Windcliff, on the Kitsap Peninsula near Indianola, WA; and for collecting, propagating, and naming varieties of plants new...
, co-founder of Heronswood
Heronswood (botanical garden)
Heronswood is a botanical garden in Kingston, Washington, the United States, that was established by Dan Hinkley and Robert Jones in 1987. Heronswood exhibits plant varieties that are collected and propagated for introduction into the North American nursery trade...
(now an independent author, lecturer and horticultural consultant), and Tony Avent
Tony Avent
Tony Avent is an American Horticulturist and Plantsman. He is the owner of Plant Delights Nursery and the founder of the Juniper Level Botanic Garden in Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition, he is a well-known plant explorer, author and public speaker....
, owner of the renowned Plant Delights Nursery
Plant Delights Nursery
Plant Delights Nursery is a mail order plant nursery based in Raleigh, North Carolina specializing in herbaceous perennials. Plant Delights was founded in 1988 by the plantsman Tony Avent and his wife Michelle Avent. The nursery currently has a 2.5 acre production facility. Proceeds from the...
.
European
Continental Europe
Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European islands....
candidates include Princess Greta Sturdza of Le Vasterival, near Dieppe
Dieppe, Seine-Maritime
Dieppe is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in France. In 1999, the population of the whole Dieppe urban area was 81,419.A port on the English Channel, famous for its scallops, and with a regular ferry service from the Gare Maritime to Newhaven in England, Dieppe also has a popular pebbled...
; the late Robert and Jelena de Belder, the principal creators of Arboretum Kalmthout
Arboretum Kalmthout
The Arboretum Kalmthout is a botanical garden in Kalmthout, Belgium. It was started as a tree plantation by Charles Van Geert in 1857. In 1986 it became property of the Antwerp province and is now open to public.-External links:...
, Belgium; and influential Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf
Piet Oudolf
Piet Oudolf is an influential Dutch garden designer, nurseryman and author. He is a leading figure of the "New Perennial" or "New Wave Planting" movement, using bold drifts of herbaceous perennial plants and grasses which are chosen for their structure as much as for their flower colour .His books...
, who has pioneered the use of "prairie
Prairie
Prairies are considered part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome by ecologists, based on similar temperate climates, moderate rainfall, and grasses, herbs, and shrubs, rather than trees, as the dominant vegetation type...
-style" planting with bold drifts of perennials
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
and grasses at gardens such as Scampston Hall
Scampston Hall
Scampston Hall is a country house in North Yorkshire, England, with a serpentine park designed by Charles Bridgeman and Capability Brown. It is located on the north side of the A64 Leeds/Scarborough road, 4 miles east of Malton, in Scampston village, whose name was variously written in ancient...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
and the RHS Garden, Wisley
RHS Garden, Wisley
The Royal Horticultural Society's garden at Wisley in the English county of Surrey south of London, is one four public gardens run by the Society, the others being Harlow Carr, Hyde Hall and Rosemoor...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and at Enköping
Enköping Municipality
Enköping Municipality is a municipality in Uppsala County in east central Sweden. Its seat is located in the city of Enköping.The present municipality consists of nearly forty original local government units...
in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. Oudolf is designing a Garden of Remembrance for the victims of 9/11
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
in Battery Park (New York).
Louis Benech (France) is also a famous plantsman.