The Great Nursery Districts

• Introduction
• Chapter 1 The Cradle of Cultivation: Hammersmith and the London Nursery Trade
• Chapter 2 Dutch Delights: Boskoop's Legacy in Woody Ornamentals
• Chapter 3 The Rose Revolution: French Nurseries of the Rhône Valley
• Chapter 4 From Fields to Forests: Oregon's Willamette Valley and the Modern Nursery
• Chapter 5 German Greenhouses: The Rise of Industrial Horticulture
• Chapter 6 Belgian Beauties: Ghent and the Azalea Empire
• Chapter 7 American Innovations: The Horticultural Hubs of the East Coast
• Chapter 8 Mediterranean Marvels: Italy's Role in Olive and Citrus Propagation
• Chapter 9 Japanese Artistry: The Craft of Bonsai and Ornamental Tree Nurseries
• Chapter 10 The Antipodean Exchange: Australian and New Zealand Contributions
• Chapter 11 Scandinavian Specialties: Cold-Hardy Plants from the North
• Chapter 12 Canadian Cultivars: Breeding for Northern Climates
• Chapter 13 The Iberian Influence: Nurseries of Spain and Portugal
• Chapter 14 Central European Seedbeds: From Austria to Hungary
• Chapter 15 The Green Heart of England: Beyond London's Reach
• Chapter 16 From Desert to Garden: Israeli Horticultural Advances
• Chapter 17 Tropical Treasures: Southeast Asia's Role in Exotic Plants
• Chapter 18 South American Sprouters: Brazil and the Amazon's Bounty
• Chapter 19 African Adaptations: Nurseries of the Cape and Beyond
• Chapter 20 The China Connection: Ancient Gardens and Modern Production
• Chapter 21 Eastern European Evolvement: Rebuilding Horticultural Traditions
• Chapter 22 The California Dream: Nurseries of the Golden State
• Chapter 23 From Bulb Fields to Global Markets: The Netherlands' Enduring Influence
• Chapter 24 The Emerald Isle's Contributions: Irish Nurseries and Plant Hunters
• Chapter 25 Global Greenhouses: The Future of Nursery Districts

Every garden, from the sprawling botanical masterpiece to the humble windowsill pot, tells a story. But rarely do we consider the deeper narrative—the unseen journey of the plants themselves, and the remarkable places that birthed and distributed them to every corner of the globe. This book, The Great Nursery Districts, is a gazetteer of those pivotal locales, a chronicle of the concentrated nursery quarters that didn't just grow plants, but cultivated entire revolutions in horticulture. It is a journey into the economic, social, and botanical forces that converged in specific valleys, towns, and regions, transforming them into engines of arboreal change.

For centuries, the propagation and distribution of plants were often localized, driven by individual estates or small, family-run operations. Yet, at various points in history, and in distinct geographical pockets, something extraordinary happened. Conditions—be they fertile soil, accessible waterways, innovative minds, or burgeoning markets—aligned to create horticultural hotbeds. These were not merely places where plants were grown; they were centers of intense specialization, experimentation, and commerce, shaping the aesthetic preferences, agricultural practices, and botanical diversity of entire nations, and ultimately, the world. From the disciplined rows of London's Hammersmith, which fueled the landscaping ambitions of an empire, to the intricate grafting techniques perfected in the Dutch municipality of Boskoop, these districts became crucibles of cultivation.

This book embarks on a global exploration, revealing how these districts emerged, flourished, and in many cases, continue to thrive, adapting to new technologies and evolving demands. We will delve into the rich history of France's Rhône Valley, a region synonymous with the romance and resilience of the rose, and journey to Oregon's Willamette Valley, a sprawling expanse that epitomizes the modern, large-scale nursery operation. Each chapter unearths the unique contributions of these centers, showcasing the plants they championed, the innovations they pioneered, and the indelible mark they left on our cultivated landscapes. We will see how these districts were not isolated phenomena, but interconnected nodes in a vast global network, exchanging knowledge, plants, and sometimes, even rivalries.

Beyond the historical narratives, The Great Nursery Districts also explores the profound impact these areas had on human society. They fostered communities of skilled horticulturists, ignited international trade, and democratized access to a wider variety of plants, transforming not only what people grew, but also how they lived. From the economic prosperity they generated to the sheer beauty they brought into countless lives, the legacy of these nursery districts is woven into the very fabric of our shared botanical heritage. This is a story of ingenuity, perseverance, and the enduring human desire to shape and cultivate the natural world.

This gazetteer serves as a testament to the extraordinary power of place—how specific geographical concentrations of expertise and enterprise can profoundly alter global patterns. It is an invitation to look beyond the individual specimen and appreciate the intricate web of human endeavor and natural advantage that brought it into being. Whether you are a seasoned horticulturist, a curious gardener, or simply someone fascinated by the hidden histories that shape our world, this book offers a fresh perspective on the verdant tapestry that surrounds us, revealing the unsung heroes and the remarkable districts that truly remade the world's gardens.

The sprawling urban landscape of modern London, with its relentless march of bricks and mortar, might seem an unlikely setting for the birth of a horticultural revolution. Yet, in the verdant fringes of what was once a far less developed city, a vibrant and influential nursery trade took root, forever changing the face of British gardens and, by extension, those across the globe. Among these pioneering districts, Hammersmith emerged as a true cradle of cultivation, a hub of botanical innovation and commercial prowess that played a pivotal role in shaping the world's gardens.

London's fertile flood plain, particularly to the west in areas like Hammersmith and Fulham, proved to be an ideal location for nurseries. These areas benefited from their proximity to the Thames, which facilitated transport, and to the fashionable suburbs and country estates that were burgeoning in the eighteenth century. The concentration of fruit growing for the London market in areas north of the Thames, between Kensington and Twickenham, also encouraged nursery businesses to congregate in this verdant belt. This wasn't merely a convenient spot; it was a strategic choice that allowed nurserymen to serve a growing and increasingly affluent clientele eager for new and exotic plants.

By the late seventeenth century, specialization within the nursery trade was already evident, and by the mid-eighteenth century, the use of catalogues to market plants had become a common practice. This shift from local exchange and personal cultivation to a more formalized and commercial system was a crucial step in the development of nursery districts. Nurseries transformed botanical specimens into commodities, enabling their cultivation on a scale necessary to dramatically alter both urban and rural landscapes.

One of the most celebrated and influential nurseries in Hammersmith, indeed in the entire world, was the Vineyard Nursery, established by two Scottish gardeners, James Lee and Lewis Kennedy. James Lee, born in Selkirk in 1715, arrived in London after training at the renowned Chelsea Physic Garden. He further honed his skills as gardener to the 7th Duke of Somerset at Syon House and later for Lord Islay at Whitton Park. Lewis Kennedy, born around 1721 in Muthill, had been gardener to Lord Wilmington at Chiswick before founding "The Vineyard" nursery in Hammersmith around 1745. Their partnership, formed around 1745 or 1760, would last until Kennedy's retirement in 1818.

The site of their nursery, remarkably, was a former vineyard that had, in the early 18th century, produced a substantial quantity of Burgundy wine. This historical detail offers a fascinating glimpse into the changing agricultural landscape of the region, from viticulture to horticulture. Lee and Kennedy's transformation of these six acres into a horticultural empire earned them immense recognition. Horticultural writer John Claudius Loudon, in 1854, described their establishment as "deservedly considered the first in the world."

The Vineyard Nursery gained its stellar reputation not just for its extensive collection, but for its pioneering introductions of new and exotic plants to British gardens. They maintained plant collectors in far-flung locations, including the Cape of Good Hope and America, ensuring a steady supply of novelties. Among their most significant contributions were the China rose (Rosa chinensis) in 1787, which was the first repeat-flowering rose seen in Britain, and the fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica) in 1788, initially sold for a guinea per plant. By 1807, they had also introduced the dahlia to public cultivation. Furthermore, they popularized standard roses in 1818, adapting a French technique that revolutionized how roses were displayed.

The influence of Lee and Kennedy extended far beyond British shores. Their reputation attracted an international clientele, including none other than Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. During the brief Peace of Amiens in 1802-1803, they supplied plants to her renowned garden at Château de Malmaison, with her bill reaching an astonishing £2,600 by 1803. John Kennedy, Lewis's son who continued the partnership with James Lee's son, even secured special permits to travel to France during the Napoleonic Wars to advise the Empress on her collection. The family of Tsar Alexander I, with Grand Duchess Catherine Pavlovna making a special visit, also patronized the Hammersmith nursery. Such royal and aristocratic patronage underscored the nursery's global reach and its pivotal role in the dissemination of new plant varieties across Europe.

The nursery itself was a marvel of its time. James Lee possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of plants, and the greenhouses were extensive, almost as old as the nursery itself. They offered a diverse stock, including a very full collection of fuchsias, with notable varieties such as F. ignea and Prince of Orange. The firm maintained correspondence with plant collectors across the Americas and the Cape of Good Hope, continually sourcing heaths, ixias, and pelargoniums, among other exotics. This sustained effort to introduce new species was crucial in meeting the insatiable demand of a public increasingly fascinated by botanical novelties. During the 18th century alone, the number of cultivated plant species in Western Europe, particularly England, increased by approximately 5,000.

The success of the Vineyard Nursery was not merely a testament to the botanical expertise of Lee and Kennedy, but also to the burgeoning market for horticultural goods in and around London. The concentration of nurseries in west London was also influenced by the concentration of market gardens in the area. Places like Hammersmith, Fulham, and Kensington were renowned for their market gardens, supplying London with strawberries, raspberries, currants, gooseberries, and cherries. This existing agricultural infrastructure, with its skilled labor and logistical networks, provided a fertile ground for the growth of specialist plant nurseries.

The horticultural trade in London was a dynamic and interconnected network. While Lee and Kennedy were undoubtedly prominent, other significant nurseries also dotted the London landscape. By the early nineteenth century, at least 122 nursery businesses were listed in the Post Office London Directory. Nurseries like Colvill's Exotic Nursery, founded in 1783, were well-known for their exotic plants, specializing in chrysanthemums, roses, and pelargoniums. Samuel Harrison's nursery, located on the site now occupied by Kensington Olympia, also played a significant role.

The physical landscape of Hammersmith itself was ideally suited for such an enterprise. The good soil near the River Thames allowed for the cultivation of soft fruits, which were then transported by boat or pannier to Covent Garden market. This existing agricultural framework meant that the area was already accustomed to large-scale plant cultivation and distribution. The development of roads leading to the fashionable suburbs and the Thames Valley further cemented Hammersmith's position as a prime location for nurseries.

The legacy of Hammersmith's nursery trade, particularly that of Lee and Kennedy, is profound. Their introductions, such as the fuchsia, dahlia, and China rose, remain beloved staples in gardens across Britain and beyond. The Vineyard Nursery set a standard of excellence that influenced British horticulture for over a century. Though the nursery grounds in Hammersmith eventually succumbed to urban expansion, with part of the site now under Kensington (Olympia) station, the firm relocated and continued its work, a testament to its enduring influence. Lewis Kennedy's grandson, also named Lewis Kennedy, continued the family tradition in garden design, creating landscapes at notable estates like Chiswick House and Drummond Castle.

The story of Hammersmith is a potent reminder that the origins of our most cherished garden plants often lie in concentrated hubs of human ingenuity and natural advantage. These districts were not just places where plants were grown; they were centers of scientific inquiry, commercial enterprise, and cultural exchange, driving the botanical curiosity and aesthetic tastes of generations. The London nursery trade, with Hammersmith at its heart, was a powerful engine that truly began to remake the world's gardens.