Tag Archives: wardian case

Pteridomania

Posted on 05/06/2021 by The Gardens Trust

My partner recently had a serious attack of Pteridomania! As a consequence there’s hardly a corner of 0ur tiny back garden that doesn’t show signs of this terrible ailment. There is evidence of this not only out in the open … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Charles Kingsley, Ferneries, ferns, James Backhouse, nathaniel ward, Shirley Hibberd, wardian case | 3 Comments

A Walk Around the World

Posted on 30/03/2019 by The Gardens Trust

Last week’s post on the Geological Gallery at Biddulph was, I hope, something of an insight in to the mindset of James Bateman its creator in the mid-19thc. Today’s is designed to look at the gardens he created there, partly … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Biddulph, china, dahlias, edward cooke, Edward Kemp, Egypt, geology, Italianate garden, James Bateman, National Trust, pinetum, wardian case, Wellingtonia | Leave a comment

The ‘smallest clever man I ever knew”….

Posted on 23/05/2015 by The Gardens Trust

So said John Ruskin of Edward Cooke who was mentioned in the post of May 2nd about Stumperies. Ruskin—a fellow enthusiast for the natural sciences—went on to say that Cooke was ” full of accurate and valuable knowledge in natural history … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged chiswick, ferns, John Claudius Loudon, Loddiges, Pulhamite, Rockery, Ruskin, rustic, Stumperies, wardian case | Leave a comment

Rochfords: the start of a dynasty.

Posted on 28/03/2015 by The Gardens Trust

In 1840 Michael Rochford, a 21 year old Irishman man, left County Clare, and came to London. He found work with fellow countryman James Knight at his Exotic Nursery in Kings Road, Chelsea, before going on to start his own nursery, and … Continue reading →