Comments from Mr. PGC: Throughout history, many people have made lasting contributions to the world of plants. In these pages, we hope to pay tribute to some of them. Our concentration will be primarily on those who have introduced plants to the gardening world, those who have helped spread the word about gardening and those who have made significant contributions to landscaping and landscaping design around the world.

This list will be constantly growing as we add new names. If you have someone who you think should be on the list, please send us an Email.

English author of The Education of a Gardener, Russell Page's garden designs were used at Leeds Castle (Kent), Port Lympne (Kent), the Frick Gallery in New York and The Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Garden at Pepsi Cola's World Headquarters in Purchase, New York. His work is also to be found in France, Italy and Spain.

The genus, Parrotia, was named for this German naturalist. Plants with this name include Persian Parrotia (Persian Ironwood, Irontree).

A Dutch princess noted for her passion for botany. She was daughter of Czar of Russia. The genus, Paulownia (Empress Tree), was named for her.

 

One of the greatest gardeners of the nineteenth century, Sir Joseph started as an assistant gardener at Chatsworth (Derbyshire) and ultimately became head gardener. He designed a magnificent Palm House there, which inspired Paxton with the idea of the Crystal Palace, the plan that secured him his knighthood. Sir Joseph's designs may be seen at Somerleyton Hall (Suffolk), the formal Italian gardens at Tatton Park (Cheshire), Birkenhead Park (Cheshire), parks in Glasgow, Dundee and Halifax and Lismore Castle (Co Waterford).

The genus, Perovskia (Russian sage), is named for this Russian general.

 

 

Owner of Perry's Hardy Plant Farm in Enfield, Middlesex, England known for producing a large number of new varieties of herbaceous perennials. He was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour (V.M.H.) from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1935 primarily for his work in hybridizing Iris.

Plants associated with Perry and his nursery include Achillea ptarmica 'Perry's White', Erysimum 'Perry's Peculiar', Geranium  himalayense 'Frances Perry', Iris sibirica 'Perry's Blue', Meconopsis cambrica 'Frances Perry', Papaver orientale 'Perry's White', Papaver orientale 'Mrs Perry', and Viola 'Frances Perry'.

Harold Peto was one of the most successful landscape designers of the Edwardian period. He is credited with reintroducing the Italianate style into British gardening. He also had an active practice in the South of France, where he designed several villas and their gardens.

Harold Peto's designs were used at Buscot Park (Oxfordshire), Heale House (Wiltshire), Easton Lodge (Essex), Wayford Manor (Somerset), Iford Manor, West Dean (West Sussex) and Garnish (Ilnacullin Island) Gardens in Bantry Bay, Ireland .

This English plantsman worked closely with William Robinson and other influential gardeners of his day. In his later years, he was known as a lecturer and television horticulturist.

Plants associated with his name include several Michaelmas daisies (Asters), Clematis 'Hagley Hybrid', Clematis 'Picton's Variety', Clematis 'Joan Picton', and Ranunculus ficaria 'Picton's Double'

One of Queen Elizabeth's courtiers, Sir Hugh Plat was an enthusiastic gardener, and his gardens at Bishop's Hall, Bethnal Green and Kirkby Castle, were celebrated. It is obvious from his books, The Jewel House of Art and Nature, Floraes Paradise (1608), Garden of Eden (1655), etc., that he visited many of the famous gardens of his time. The information he collected invariably appears in his books, with the name of his informant attached. His herb gardens were evidently his chief hobby, for his most attractive book, Delights for Ladies, treats entirely of herb recipes. He was also one of the first to suggest means of protecting exotic plants.

She is chiefly known for working to popularize the use of black plants and for encouraging younger people to have an interest in gardening. Her books include 'Black Magic and Purple Passion' the only comprehensive book on black plants. She founded the International Black Plant Society in 2002 and also started the International Society for Green Flowers. Both organizations are  based in Sheffield, England but are International in nature.

A French botanist, after whom the genus, Plumeria, or Frangipani (originally named Plumiera) is named.

 

 

He was the "minister" to Mexico in the early 1800's where he noticed the lovely plant that turned bright red around the Christmas season. As a botanist, he was recognized the potential value of Euphorbia pulcherrima and sent samples back to the U.S. where it became known as the poinsettia.

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