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Tag: History

Russell Lupin and Lupin Origins

Russell Lupin and Lupin Origins

Rustle up some space for Lupins a grand perennial favourite.

Photo cc by Magnio

Originally Lupins (Lupinus polyphyllus) were introduced into Britain from North America in 1826. They had the blue flowered spikes we occasionally saw on railway embankments with some whiter flowers. Fast forward to 1937 and the RHS awarded its highest honour to a ‘ jobbing gardener’ George Russell for developing a strain of Lupins that caused a sensation.

Photo CC  by Thor Thorson 1

Russell developed his Lupins by rigorous selection of seedlings, aiming and achieving a central stalk or spike totally obscured by colourful flowers. Many of us would cut back Lupins after flowering to prevent the setting of seed and weakening the plant, but to George Russell that was the opposite of his intent.

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Earth and the Art of Gardening

Earth and the Art of Gardening

In 1569  Joachim Beuckelaer painted the Four Elements and this picture shows the bountiful earth.  The range of produce implies a market gardeners hand or a large garden capable of providing such bounty.

The 4 elements I need in the garden are Earth (hearty soil), Water (not too copious and not at the wrong time), Fire (or at least sunlight for photosynthesis) and Air (or  more space in which to grow).

The Market Woman with Vegetable Stall, 1567, by Pieter Aertsen shows lemons and more exotic produce that implies international trade rather than local gardening.

At least we can see how some people were able to eat in the mid 16th Century. I would be happy to grow half these fruit and vegetables on display.

This is actually the painting of Earth from the Four Elements. The painting shown above top is the Market Seller Fruit Vegetables and Poultry. Fruit and vegetables was a subject Joachim Beuckelaer used frequently.