Plants with names
By Spritzhenry
West Somerset,
England 
Having just planted some new plants in my shady area, I was musing about their names. I don't mean their botanical names, but who they are called after. For example, I now have Pulmonaria longifolia 'Bertram Anderson' in my border - but who was he? I guess he propagated a new species, but again, maybe not! Does anyone know of a book which will tell me who they were and why the plants were named after particular people? I am curious and always want to know more!
22 Mar, 2008
Answers
No answer to your question...but an observation...sometimes it is not the person who did the work of developing the new var. but the name of a person of inspiration...maybe just google Bertram Anderson and see what you come up with.
Well so much for that...all I found were references to various sedums...lol. perhaps go to the RBS site and see if there is a forum there where you can ask your question.
23 Mar, 2008
There is a book called Who do you grow? with this info in it. Bertram Anderson was a famous British gardener and writer who found lots of varieities in the various gardens he made and named them or had them named after him.
Who Does Your Garden Grow? (ISBN: 0951813307)
Alex Pankhurst
23 Mar, 2008
Well done, Owdboggy !!!
23 Mar, 2008
Thanks and well done indeed - I shall try Amazon ASAP!
23 Mar, 2008
I googled BA and found a book by him called 'Gardening on Chalk and Limestone'. Also found a Thymus pulegioides 'BA' and also a Sedum 'BA'.
:-) Sometimes, plants are named after the people who first discovered/collected them. Can't think of one offhand, but there are lots like that.
23 Mar, 2008
Yes, that's exactly what I want to know, and sometimes I do remember, like Tradescant, - but I'd like the info on tap, so to speak - googling is great and I use it frequently - but on occasion a book with an index is better and more convenient. SO I have just ordered the one recommended by Owdboggy to whom grateful thanks!
23 Mar, 2008
Yep me too Spritz , Eddie just ordered the book from Amazon for me , I think it will be really interesting , Thanks Owdboggy !
23 Mar, 2008
Hope you enjoy the book as much as we have!
23 Mar, 2008
One of my favourite historical collectors is David Douglas, whose name is attached to over 240 different plants, from the mighty Douglas Fir down to Limnanthes douglasii - the dreaded "Poached Egg Plant", which, although useful for attracting beneficial insects, spreads like wildfire.
23 Mar, 2008
An extra nugget for you - if you breed a new plant, you're not allowed to name it after yourself. Guess I'll just have to make friends with a plant breeder and get him/her to do all the work - lol
25 Mar, 2008
Andrew, I have to admit, not heard that before, who's to stop you naming your own raised plant after yourself ? If this is the case, surely it can only apply to RHS registered plants ?
25 Mar, 2008
Oh,Spritz, you sound as bad as me!.What's in a name? A lot of interesting history, as far as I'm concerned, sometimes only familial, but nonetheless great reading! Can't help with ol' B.A. right now, but will keep an eye and ear open!
22 Mar, 2008