William Wilks
Encyclopedia
The Reverend William Wilks (1843 - 1923) was a notable British horticulturalist and clergyman.
. In 1879 he became the incumbent of the parish of Shirley
.
Wilks attained some fame as a horticulturalist and was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour by the Royal Horticultural Society
for his work. He also served as one of the most distinguished Secretaries of the Royal Horticultural Society, and the ornate wrought iron gates at the Society's garden at Wisley
commemorate him.
. Wilks noticed an unusual poppy in a corner of his garden ("abutting on the fields"). This was a minor variant of the wild poppy, Papaver rhoeas, in which the petals were bordered by a strip of white. From this slight variation, by patient crossing and selection, he bred the varied and ornamental "Shirley Poppies".
Details
Following education at Oxford University, William Wilks served as Curate in the parish of CroydonCroydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
. In 1879 he became the incumbent of the parish of Shirley
Shirley, London
Shirley is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, England. It is a suburban development situated 10 miles south south-east of Charing Cross.-Description:...
.
Wilks attained some fame as a horticulturalist and was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour 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...
for his work. He also served as one of the most distinguished Secretaries of the Royal Horticultural Society, and the ornate wrought iron gates at the Society's garden at 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...
commemorate him.
The Shirley Poppy
His most famous horticultural work concerned the breeding of the Shirley PoppyShirley Poppy
Shirley Poppy is the name given to an ornamental cultivar group derived from the European wild field poppy .- History :The Shirley poppy was created from 1880 onwards by the Reverend William Wilks, vicar of the parish of Shirley in England...
. Wilks noticed an unusual poppy in a corner of his garden ("abutting on the fields"). This was a minor variant of the wild poppy, Papaver rhoeas, in which the petals were bordered by a strip of white. From this slight variation, by patient crossing and selection, he bred the varied and ornamental "Shirley Poppies".
External links
- http://www.croydononline.org/history/heritage/reverend_wilks.asp