English Roots
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Plants / English roots Lupin – cultivated for thousands of Phlox – arrived in Europe from Delphinium – modern day varieties are years, originally as a fodder plant, Virginia, North America in the the result of interbreeding of species from as far apart as ancient Egypt and the early 18th century before crossing many parts of the world, from the Swiss Peruvian Andes. The tall colourful the channel a century later. Many Alps to Siberia. They have been a part of spires popular in English gardens varieties have been bred since not the English garden since at least Tudor have their origin in North American only in England but also in the times. species that arrived in Britain in the Netherlands and United States. 1820s. Rose – the English rose is the result of centuries of breeding of many varieties of rose from around world. One of these is the Damask rose, named after the Syrian city of Damascus, famous for its fragrance. It is thought to have first been brought to England by the Crusaders. Hydrangea – first introduced from Pennsylvania, North America in 1736. In the nineteenth century they became a favourite of plant hunters and botanists, including the famous Joseph Banks who brought more varieties back from China and Japan. Hollyhock – possible origins range from and Syria to India but mostly likely to be natives of China. This statuesque plant worked its way along the Silk Road over many centuries and is first mentioned in English Crossing literature in John Gardiners poem ’Feate of Gardenini’ in 1440. Sweet William – first appeared in English botanist John Gerard’s garden catalogue in 1596 having made their way from mountainous regions of southern Europe, such as the borders Pyrenees and the Carpathians. The flower may have been named after William Shakespeare. There is possibly nothing more Tulip - originally a wild flower associated with the English than their growing in the Central Asia and were Sweet pea – a favourite of English first cultivated by the Turks as early as gardeners for three centuries. A dried gardens but like the inhabitants of 1,000 AD. The flower was introduced specimen grown in a Middlesex Peony – cultivated in China for to Europe in the 17th century by garden in 1700 can still be found in over a thousand years, their medical these islands many of the plants found Carolus Clusius, a famous biologist the Natural History Museum. Sweet properties were known `to the from Vienna. At one time they were peas probably came here from Sicily ancient Greeks and Romans. They in the quintessential cottage garden so sought after one bulb could cost as but may have originated further afield made their way to monastic gardens much as a house. in Sri Lanka. in northern Europe, including have their roots elsewhere. England, in the early middle ages. Root & Branch 08 Root & Branch 09.