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Henry Eckford (17 May 1823 – 5 December 1905) was a Scots horticulturist and reputedly the most famous breeder of sweet peas, transforming the plant from a minor horticultural subject into the ''queen of annuals''. U.S. horticulturist Liberty Hyde Bailey called him "the prince of specialists". In 1888 he moved to the town of Wem in Shropshire, England. It was in Wem that he perfected the breeding of his Grandiflora sweet peas, which in size of bloom and general performance were a great improvement over previous varieties. == Chronology == * 1823 - born in Stonehouse, near Edinburgh, Scotland. * 1839 - apprenticed in the gardens of Beaufort Castle near Inverness (estate of Lord Lovat).〔Obituary sketch of Eckford.〕 * After completing apprenticeship employed consecutively in gardens of New Liston near Edinburgh, Kingask Castle, Perthshire, Penicuik House, and Oxenburgh Castle.〔Obituary.〕 * 1854 - became head gardener at Coleshill, Berkshire, England (gardens of Earl of Radnor). * 1854-1870 - experimented with the breeding of dahlias, pelargoniums and verbenas. * 1870 - in charge of the garden of Dr. Sankey at Sandywell, Gloucester. Here he was particularly encouraged in plant breeding work. * 1879 - major work on sweet peas commenced. * Moved with employer to Boreatton (which gave name to one of his sweet pea varieties), Baschurch, Shropshire.〔 * 1888 - moved to Wem, Shropshire, where he established Eckford's Nursery. In Wem, he became a member of Wem Parish Council and Wem Urban District Council. In the last year of his life he was presented with an illuminated parchment address and silver tea and coffee service subscribed by more than 200 admirers worldwide.〔 * 5 December 1905 - died aged 82 at his house in Noble Street, Wem; buried in Wem Cemetery.〔 Henry Eckford was a Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society, and was awarded the Society's highest award, the Victoria Medal of Honour. From horticultural shows he gained "upwards of 85 gold and silver medals" among his prizes.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Henry Eckford (horticulturist)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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