The long tradition of the English garden gave American gardening a model to replicate in the nineteenth century. Philadelphia nurseryman Thomas Meehan recognized how important that tradition had become to the American gardener in garden design style, plants, but especially…
The argument that it is essential to use native plants in the garden has a long history in this country. In the nineteenth century Philadelphia nurseryman Thomas Meehan wrote in the July 1875 issue of his magazine Gardener's Monthly: "It…
Since American gardening in the nineteenth century was closely linked to garden fashion in England, it ought be no surprise that the English sold American seedsmen and nurserymen new plants. Philadelphia nurseryman Thomas Meehan wrote in his magazine of 1875…
A couple of weeks ago I received a new seed catalog from R. H. Shumway's in Randolph, Wisconsin. A seed catalog with that venerable name Shumway first appeared almost a century and a half ago. The catalog I received reflected…
Garden design during the nineteenth century went back and forth between the natural, picturesque view and a more formal garden with even a blend of the two forms at times. By the end of the century gardeners wanted less maintenance…