Handsome, rich and intelligent. Art collector and gregarious host with impeccable manners and a polished charm, Sir James John Trevor Lawrence was a man of many parts with an insatiable love of orchids.
Born in 1831 and educated at Winchester, he qualified as a medical doctor at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London and practised in the Indian Medical Service for ten years. He then served as a Member of Parliament for Reigate for seventeen years, succeeded to the baronetcy in 1867, married in 1869 and was appointed to the presidency of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1885.
In his twenty-one years as President of the Royal Horticultural Society his stated aim was to restore the Society to "horticulture pure and simple rather than entertaining the public". Such was his success that membership levels soared and plant collecting reached fever pitch amongst society's elite. At Burford Lodge, a large estate near Dorking and spectacularly sited at the foot of Box Hill, Sir Trevor Lawrence created a celebrated garden and an orchid collection second to none.
Twelve glasshouses were devoted to the growing, hybridising and showing of some 3,000 orchids. Artists were commissioned to paint the flowers and a Mr. W.H. White, the foremost orchid grower of the day, was employed to oversee the collection. Sir Trevor himself was reported always to be seen sporting his favourite orchid species, Phalaenopsis, from his buttonhole.
The orchid world immortalised him with Paphiopedilum lawrenceanum and Cattleya lawrenceana and, after purchasing the single imported plant of Aerides lawrenciae at a cost of 235 guineas [£14,000 today], his wife's name was also rendered eternal within plant history.
However, my link with Sir Trevor is not through orchids since these are plants with which I have never enjoyed success. No, scrambling through my hedges and reliably giving an early autumn display is Clematis texensis 'Sir Trevor Lawrence'.
Still relatively uncommon, this clematis was almost extinct prior to its revival by the late Christopher Lloyd. The flower is tulip shaped, like other texensis varieties, but it rolls over slightly at the tips. The brilliance of colour, a luminous carmine red shading to light violet around the edges, offsetting pale cream stamens, makes this a valuable late season companion to hedges, trees and all manner of other plants which have bloomed much earlier on. Making vigorous growth, some 6 - 8 feet, in a season and requiring nothing more than a severe pruning in early spring, this is a highly rewarding and easy to maintain climber.
Victoria Medal winner, Veitch Gold Memorial Medal winner and founder of the Lawrence Gold Medal, Sir Trevor Lawrence was a consummate plantsman. This stylish dandy of a clematis continues to give the same polished performances as his namesake every year in the borders at Maida Vale.
P.S. The illustration is of a caricature of Sir Trevor Lawrence by the cartoonist SPY [Sir Leslie Ward] and first published in 'Vanity Fair' in 1899. Such cartoons are nowadays highly collectable.
112 comments:
Hi Edith,
What an interesting man! I did find the clematis online and it is lovely. I have never seen it in any local nurseries, but it is offered by several online US companies.
Eileen
Dear Eileen, Thank you so much for your coment. The Clematis texensis varieties are not very widely available in the UK, but they do make excellent climbers for the early autumn garden.
Twleve glasshouses? That is a lot of orchids! What an intriguing man. My own clematis here at the manor didn't do so well this summer, not as many blooms as usual.
Dear Willow, Thank you for your comment. Sir Trevor certainly had style - the perfect guest for the Willow Ball perhaps?
Edith, it is from your highly informative post that I get to know Sir Trevor Lawrence and his immense contribution to orchids. I also know that Paphiopedilum lawrenceanum is a very rare orchid that is native to Sarawak state of Malaysia. I have never seen it as it may be extinct now. A great man with great contributions to mankind. In my humble opinion, I tend to notice that orchids do have many gentlemen as admirers. Perhaps there is something about orchids that capture their attention and imagination?
Dear Autumn Belle, How wonderful that you know of this orchid. I am very ignorant where orchids are concerned since I have never had any luck growing them and so have given them up.
An interesting question about men and orchids. I wonder, as you do, what can be the fascination for them.
Dear Edith, your post shows again what a wonderful gardening heritage England enjoys. Thank you for the background on all things "lawrenceanum". As far as the special interest men seem to take in orchids - perhaps it's the difficult "technical" challenge often involved in successfully raising them?
Dear Barbara, Thank you so much for your comment. Yes, the English gardening heritage is amazingly broad and varied with something for everyone I always think.
You could well be right about the technical challenge being the lure for men and orchid growing. They must also be a prize for collectors as there are so many of them and so many varieties -one surely could never have them all?!!
Handsome, rich, intelligent and interested in horticulture, sounds like the perfect man.
I shall have to google a picture of his clematis, it sounds like one I would like in my garden.
Your post is serendipitous, as tonight I'm having dinner with Susan Orlean, who wrote "The Orchid Thief," and then attending her reading on campus. I hope you'll post a shot of your clematis climbing through the hedges. An autumn clematis would be divine--I think the parent clematis DOES bloom in autumn, with small white blossoms. The two I have bloom in early summer and are violet and white. Thank you for such an interesting post, Edith!
Another enchanting story, dearest Edith. Dapper Sir James John Trevor Lawrence led a full/rich life. How awesome to see twelve glasshouses devoted to 3,000 orchids! Are you a collector of these old caricatures? Happy Autumn :)
Dearest D, Thank you so much for your amusing comment. As you say, Sir T is the perfect man, such a pity that he is 179 years old!! All the texensis varieties of Clematis are wonderful, I think, and many have splendid names.
Dear Edith, thank you as ever for a most interesting and consumate post. I've never attempted to grow orchids, which are beautiful, but I love clematis which I am able to grow with ease and enjoy very much. Your clematis sounds wonderful, thanks to the great Christopher Lloyd, for rescuing the variety from extinction.
Sir Trevor certainly led a very interesting life and was indeed a very devoted horticulturist. What a great legacy.
Jeanne
x
PS I meant to say thank you for offering to make the desirable contents of your little black book of special places available to us should we need it on our travels. We could very well take you up on this offer one day!;)xx
Dear Charlotte, Thank you so much for your comment. What timing! The book sounds most interesting and the reading should be great fun. I shall look out for this novel as I have never read anything by Susan Orlean.
Tha late flowering Clematis are very useful additions to the garden as they can scramble through things and enliven the borders when flower power is rather limited.
Dearest Joey, Thank you so much for your kind comment. I really do like these caricatures but, regrettably, have never collected them.
Yes, the glasshouses, the orchids and the most amazing house. Sir T really did STYLE!! And, a very happy autumn to you too dearest Joey!!
Dear Jeanne, Thank you so much for your generous comment. Sir T and CL did indeed make remarkable contributions to the world of horticulture in so many different ways.
Like you, I have never had success with Orchids but love Clematis at all seasons of the year. Just say the word and the little black book will be opened!
Sir Lawrence must have been an interesting fellow.
Wealthy too if he purchased rare specimens back in the early days of importing these unusual plants which were coveted and highly sought after.
Have you read The Orchid Thief?
Orchid growers are an unusal lot...very scientific in their skills of cultivation. The meters, fans, heat lamps and such, controlling the environment to mimic nature.
I was a member of the local chapter of the orchid society and my plants were windowsill types...
my neighbour's back garden has a glasshouse...the light can be seen at night in the cool days of fall and winter...the blooms are truly beautiful.
Edith your posts are so enjoyable.
Sir Lawrence seems to have been quite an interesting character (yes, I've been a-googling). He certainly led an enviable life, collecting and growing orchids galore. I also felt compelled to google photos of your clematis, which is indeed lovely. What a brilliant color it is! Oh, how I wish we could grow clematis down here....
Happy Autumn Edith! I once again find myself enchanted with your writing and this time seem to see Jane Austen and Emma in the landscape. Lovely to read about Sir Lawrence and his thousands of orchids. What a life! To be able to saunter through twelve houses of these rare beauties ... I cannot imagine the thrill that was simply his daily life. Your clematis sounds lovely "scrambling" through your hedges. A dramatic color for this time of year. Always a joy to visit you! ;>)
Dear Edith,
Thank you for introducing me to such interesting people and special flowers. The illustration you posted from Vanity Fair made me laugh after reading your first sentence. You could have posted a better photo of him, to do him justice :-)!
About the clematis. Never heard of it before, but I am going to check out!
Enjoy your evening!
Lieve groet,
Madelief
Oh, I would love to see a photo of your Sir Trevor Lawrence Clematis! It sounds so enchanting with its tulip shape. I adore your posts, they are always so much fun to read.
Dear Hostess, Thank you so much for your comment. Everything you say here about Orchids sums up the reasons why I steer clear. They do seem to be terrifically complicated to keep alive let alone propagate.
You are the second person today to mention The Orchid Thief and I am intrigued to read more. I think that reading about Orchids will suit me far better than actually looking after them!
Dear FG, Thank you so much for your comment. Yes, I can just picture you wandering through the glasshouses amongst the Orchids. They must indeed have been a marvellous sight. And, just as I have J, Sir T had Mr.White to look after them, but J has never shown any interest in Orchids!
hi edith,
is that all it costs to have a plant named after you? where's my husband and checkbook! fab story.
~janet
Thank you for the information on Sir Trevor Lawrence. All those orchids! Wow! It would be nice to see your Clematis texensis 'Sir Trevor Lawrence'.
Dearest Carol, Thank you so much for your kind and generous comment and Happy Autumn to you too.
I do think that Sir T had a charmed life. He lived in a most wonderful part of the countrside,amongst rolling downland and bosky woods and, yes, the glasshouses filled with orchids....perfect!
What I did think was particularly engaging about Sir T was his regular commissioning of artists to paint the Orchids. This seems to me most civilised.
Dear Madelief, Thank you for your coment which also made ME smile. I thought that Sir T looked rather distinguished in the SPY portrait! But, I suppose that what I was really thinking about here was a wish to own a SPY caricature since I regret never having done so.
You really must investigate the texensis varieties of Clematis. They are glamorous and yet easy to grow and would, I know, look absolutely lovely in your garden.
Dear Meredhuit, Thank you so much for your kind comment. I do love the Clematis t. 'Sir Trevor Lawrence' since it is such a welcome burst of colour at a time when the garden is slowly snuggling down for winter. The texensis varieties can be quite difficult to track down but are well worth the search!
dear Janet, Thank you for your amusing comment which made me smile. I know that as your husband is devoted to you he will purchase two! Clematis 'Janetiana' and Orchid 'Janetianum' will be the next 'must have' horticultural sensations!
Dear Sherlock Street, Thank you so much for your comment. I for one certainly have difficulty in imagining what 3,000 Orchids look like. As for my own Clematis, I have no camera to capture it with so my description is all there is I am afraid.
Edith
I like the new look, a crisp design! You've inspired me to make changes, but now I must find the time.
I'm unfamiliar with Sir Trevor's namesake Clematis: And each and every time I see 'Maida Vale' ... I'm transported. An area of London I am not familiar with, as well, but the sound is like poetry to my mind's eye.
Alice
Dear Edith, Hope you don't mind if I track down this lovely clematis as I'm always on the lookout for autumn colour (and winter colour, and...)What a pity men don't wear buttonholes these days, it always seems so civilised. Perhaps some of your fashionable male friends might like to kickstart a trend?
Dear Alice, Thank you so much for your comment and the compliment, which I am so pleased to receive, as your own weblog always looks so very stylish to me.
All the texensis Clematis are good value in my view for their burst of late colour, but some are rather more vigorous than others so it pays to do some research.
I had never thought of Maida Vale as poetic but the canals of Little Venice nearby certainly are.
Dearest Isobel, Thank you so much for your comment. I should be delighted if you were to track down this Clematis since it would look lovely scrambling through your borders north of the border. Many of my Clematis, including Sir T, were bought from BF, a prodigious Clematis hybridiser, whose nursery, Peveril Plants, was in the West Country. I say was as BF has now retired and PP closed but I am sure, as the woman of invention I assume you to be, that you will seek out a source somewhere.
Buttonholes, ah yes, if only men [friends or otherwise] would take up this lovely tradition, how much more pleasant the world would suddenly become!!
Dear Edith, What an intresting gentleman and to have a large collection of orchids is a serious collector also. Thanks for the story....Julian
Dear Julian, Thank you for your comment. Sir T was indeed a serious collector. Would that I had a collection of SPY portraits...that would be my choice!
Edith,
Today I stole time away from tasks at hand to indulge myself with catch up readings of this most wonderful blog of yours. I had not realized how so much time had slipped past since my last reading. And the changes, oh the glorious changes! We should all aspire to such a level of style and sophistication that you set forth for our enlightenment and enjoyment.
I must say I was momentarily taken back by the illustration you had chose to publish with you first post for September, The Naked Truth... Knowing how you artfully gain the readers attention, I could not wait to read into the post to see where you would be taking us. Ah! dinner and a floor show and in such a grand garden setting no less. Then it was off to the English countryside and urbane Hungarian streets with a little social commentary in the middle for good measure. Then ending back at Maida Vale from which my journey began with the description of a clematis that must be as impressive to see as it's history is to read.
Thank you for a very enjoyable break today Edith and hoping this comment has not run on to long. One final note in closing, Thank You for your concern during my absents due to technical problems. - G
Dear G, Thank you so very much for your most generous comment. I am blushing from the compliments and blooming with pride that you have said such lovely things about my postings and my 'New Look' weblog. I too thought that the 'Naked' illustration was somewhat risqué but felt that I should break out of the mould on that occasion and I do admire Testino's photographs.
I have so missed your Fox Paw Adventures and am pleased that only technical problems have kept you away. Your own weblog is always so full of fun and interesting commentary that the Blogosphere has just not been the same without you.
Stylish dandy of a clematis is a nice choice of words by you. I enjoy each and every post you write, and agree Mr. T. L. had a fulfilling way and place to live.
Dear Terra, Thank you so much for your kind comment. I think that it is the bright red which gives it the air and the look of a dandy. I should certainly not wish to be without it for its wonderful splash of colour at this time of year.
Dear Edith - I love your name dropping posts - so informative, well-written and always with an interesting side take. Just had to google your lovely clematis - what a perfect colour for the autumn
Laura
p.s.your new blog tones are very tasteful
Very informative, Edith, and what a full and interesting life Sir Trevor had.I would have loved to have seen him sporting his daily orchid buttonhole....... Clematis texensis 'Sir Trevor Lawrence' sounds like a stunner...... I must look out for it. Can it be found easily ? XXXX
Dear Laura, Thank you for your comment. I am pleased that you enjoy the 'Name Dropping' postings. I certainly enjoy writing them and finding out more of the people behind the plants. It makes the plants so much more special, I feel.
Thank you too for the compliment on my weblog design. It is the best that I could do with what Blogger had to offer since I am not technologically minded.
Dear Jacqueline, Thank you for your comment. Yes, Sir T's buttonhole got me thinking about how my mother would wear a corsage, of an orchid usually, and perhaps I should try wearing one more often. I might try it!
The texensis varieties are not common but can be traced through specialist Clematis nurseries. I should love to be able to recommend one, but fear that I cannot since all my Clematis were bought years ago and mainly, as I remarked earlier, from BF in Devon who has since retired. They are though, well worth the search.
Dear Edith, I am a newcomer to your wonderful blog, and so far each visit has been as much an education as it has been an absolute pleasure. Wit and information - a fabulously addictive mix - I will retreat to Google your Clematis now! x
Dear Mrs Sutton, Thank you so much for your kind comment and for becoming a 'Follower'. I am pleased that you have found things of interest in what I write and I do hope that you will continue to be amused with future postings.
Yes, do search out the Clematis as I am sure that you will love it and it would look perfect in your lovely garden.
Edith, thank you for the history of Sir Trevor. He must have been fascinating.
I so enjoy your posts, always so informative and beautifully written.
For your readers who are interested in texensis clematis, there is a nursery in Germany who ships to the UK. They carry a very good selection.
www.clematis-westphal.de
Thanks to your last post I now have Budapests on my travel list.
Dear Sandra, Thank you so much for your comment. I am sure that we should both have enjoyed being entertained by Sir T and viewing his Orchid collection. What fun we should have had!!
Thank you for the weblink. As I have said, the texensis varieties can be tricky to track down so that is very useful advice.
I do wonder if the Budapest tourist board should be comissioning me to write my articles promoting the City. But, they are not and I do so hope that you may visit one day.
Dear Edith
Thank you for all the interesting information on Sir James John Trevor Lawrence. I didn't know anything about him but now I know a lot more...!!!
I :)
Dear Ingrid, Thank you for your comment. There is no end to the number of interesting 'characters' in the world of horticulture I find.
Hi Edith,
It is wonderful how you bring back into the open those figures that have played such an important part in the horticultural world, but who have disappeared from the public gaze. Sir James John Trevor Lawrence is such a good example of such a person, with his vital orchid work and position and aim within the RHS.
I do believe that I have only ever seen Clematis texensis 'Sir Trevor Lawrence' once, in Cornwall, absolutely stunning and you are so fortunate to be able to have one in your own garden.
Another interesting post, Edith. I can't pretend that I like orchids but the clematis does sound very tempting :-)
Very interesting history, and I'm delighted to read in the comments that the clematis is available in the U.S. Sounds like a definite must!
Hello Edith: What a fascinating post. My dearest aunt Joanna (well, cousin really) was president of the American Horticulture Society (an coincidentally a member of the Royal College of Needleworkers). I plan on posting about her at some point, as she was a tremendous influence on me. Reggie
Dear Gary, Thank you so much for your comment. There are so many fascinating figures who make up our gardening heritage. I am pleased that you have enjoyed reading about Sir T.
I do like the Clematis texensis varieties and am pleased that you approve too.
Dear Chris, Thank you for your comment. No, Orchids are not amongst my favourite flowers either. However, the Clematis is a real gem and I encourage you to seek it out.
Dear Cyndy, Thank you so much for your comment. Although not easy to find, I am sure that you would find the search for Clematis t. 'Sir Trevor Lawrence' most worthwhile. It would, I feel be an excellent addition to your autumn garden.
Dear Reggie, Thank you so much for your kind comment. I do so hope that you will write a posting about your aunt/ cousin as she sounds to be most intriguing. It is always good to celebrate the life and work of these pioneers of our heritage.
quel name drop! Loved it.
I confess to not owning a single clematis, not for any prejudice or lack of planting space. But now you've brought this one to my attention. I checked it out online. It is quite beautiful. I would love to have one in my garden!
Dear Edith, your exquisite writing and profound plant knowledge, what a delightful combination!
Dear Catherine, Thank you for your comment. I am pleased that you enjoyed the posting.
Dear Michael, Thank you for your kind and generous comment.I really value your compliment as you are such a knowledgeable plantsman and gardener yourself.
back to following blogs after a gap of graft!
yeah, texensis are fab.
just the sort of clem I would expect you to have!
lovely erudite post
best
r
Dear Deborah, Thank you for your comment. What excitement to be at the start of investigating and growing Clematis. I feel sure that you would enjoy the texensis varieties as they are quite informal, flower in late summer/early autumn and are vigorous yet easy to control. I can picture them scrambling through shrubs in your 'Lady Garden'!
Dear Robert, Thank you for your comment. I am pleased that you agree about the texensis Clematis. I think that they are all wonderful - elegant and perfectly coloured for late summer/ early autumn - but I am particularly fond of Sir T!!
A most fascinating post Edith ~ have come across the clematis in the flesh as it were as a friend grows it but did not know any facts about the man. Great to fill in another gap. Many thanks.
Dear Edith, I did enjoy reading this. By checking 'Celmatis on the Web' I found this information:
"One of the group of six varieties jackman produced by crossing C. texensis with C. 'Star of India'. These varieties became known as the Wokingensis Hybrids. 'Sir trevor Lawrence' and 'Duchess of Albany' are thought to be the only two of these hybrids in existence."
Dear Anna, Thank you for your comment. I hope that your friend enjoys the Clematis as much as I do and I am pleased that you have found the background information to be of interest.
Dear Barry, Thank you so much for your comment. You are always such a mine of information! I do know that this particular variety was in danger of extinction before CL provided cutting material for its propagation. I am pleased that it has been preserved for our enjoyment today!!
How truly accomplished Sir Lawrence was. What a huge loss it would of been to have had the clematis become extinct. It is one of my favorites to grown. I love the dark intense color of the purple variety. Edith you have a magnificent blog. Very happy that you were kind enough to leave a comment on mine so that I could find yours.
Wishing you a lovely weekend and thank you for the information about such a fascinating man.
Cheers ~ Deborah
Dear Edith,
I am totally flabbergasted by the quantity of nice comments on your blog - especially about the fact that it is more than just "beautiful" and "nice". I am also amazed about the time you invest into answering those comments - a fact which I rarely find on blogs. And I am always very happy to find a comment from you on my blog because I know how nicely it will be written and how thoughtful - thank you very much for this!
Regarding your giving up growing orchids - this is very sad and you should try it again - maybe with some which do not request special treatment because I can tell you a secret: the lesser you do with your orchids i.e. just leave them alone at one place, water them rarely and don't fertilize them (I mean it seriously), will be the best you can do.
Plant them in transparent pots, glass or something like that - give them as much light as possible but no hot sun, spray them with lukewarm water from time to time and they will be grateful!
I have added moss from the woods and bark from old trees in the pots and hang them outside on the balcony for the whole summer even if it is quite cool. In fact most orchids die because they are watered too often! We can talk about this more if you like vis email!
Warm greetings,
Petra
Gosh, a late blooming clematis.
I must look up a picture of the same.
What a very model of a model English gentleman Sir Trevor was.
What an exemplary resume.
Are you in Hungary?
We are going to Florence in October --wanted to go to Damascus -- but evil air-miles people thwarted us!
Hello Edith. First off I want to thank you for visiting and following my two blogs Gardening Pomona and the Women and the Garden. In return I have come to visit you at your blog and found myself thoroughly enjoying your posts. I particularly loved the post on Iago Brook - poor you, what a disappointment. I look forward to keeping up with you in London and Hungary. -Patty
I find myself just a little in love with Sir Trevor: what a polymath. I can't grow many of the clematis I would like here but might have to go and do a bit of research on this one. Montana and viticella manage so there is hope.
Hello, Edith ~ I enjoyed reading your interesting post. I love looking and admiring orchids that are in someone else's care. Oh...maybe one day I will try one. :)
The Clematis texensis is beautiful!
Hi Edith, I love clematis but cannot grow it in my climate which is annoying. Do you like tropic gardens? Or loathe them?
Dear Deborah, Thank you so much for your kind comment. I am so pleased that you enjoy growing Clematis too. There is, I feel one for every garden and every season if one investigates.
I am thrilled to have found your weblog, dear Deborah, which is so stylishly presented and full of witty comment and interesting detail.
Dear Petra, Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to write such a detailed comment. I do enjoy the dialogue with my commenters and am never happier than when there is ongoing debate and discussion. I do not see replying as a chore - quite the opposite!
After giving me so much detailed information about how to succeed with Orchids, how can I not now try again? I have a gardener/handyman, J, and I shall give him all your instructions. He is marvellous with everything else in the garden so I am going to set him upon an Orchid growing project on Monday morning. Who knows, in a future posting I may be able to report on the hanging Orchid gardens of Maida Vale!
Dear Elizabeth, Thank you for your comment. Yes, the texensis varieities are much later flowering and are beautifully elegant for the late summer/ early autumn borders.
I am in London now and still involved with the work of settling my late friend's estate. How wonderful to be in Florence in October. Such a magical city at any time of the year but autumn is perhaps the most perfect of all. Those long, golden shadows!
Dear Patty, Thank you for your generous comment and for becoming a 'Follower'. I am pleased that you have found things of interest in what I write.
Your own weblogs are so very interesting, well written and carefully presented. I am delighted that we have found each other across the Blogosphere!
Dear Elizabeth, Thank you for your comment. Yes, I am sure that if Sir T was around today, I also might well find myself a little in love with him. I certainly love his namesake Clematis and do hope that you might be able to grow it, or a similar variety, in your lovely garden.
Dear Amy, Thank you for your comment. Up until now I have done the same as you regarding Orchids - admired them from afar. However, armed with J and Petra's advice [see comment above], I shall give them another try as I do so love their quiet elegance.
Dear FF, Thank you so much for your comment. I have to confess, dear FF, that I am not fond of 'tropic' gardens outside a tropical climate. However, although I restrict my own garden to mainly tints and tones of white and green, I do love some bolder planting schemes. For me, the quality of a garden will always be determined by its structure, its 'bones', the plants will always be in second place!
Edith I will look out for Sir Trevor, not one I'm familiar with, although I planted the taxensis type Princess of Wales this year and have been very pleased with her tulip shaped flowers as you say, different from the usual clematis and quite lovely.
Dear Edith, I have several clematis but only one that is late-blooming - the Sweet Autumn Clematis.It is very different from yours having a tiny, white flower. I would love to add the Sir Lawrence to my collection.
I have never tried growing orchids. My mother is successful with them, so maybe I should try.
Just imagine being able to commission an artist to paint the flowers in one's garden. Then I wouldn't need a camera.
Thank you for another fascinating posting. Pam x
Like you I have not had much luck with orchids which is odd since my father was crazy about them and had hundreds. It was always my job to take care of them when he went on trips, after being given meticulous instructions as to their watering and care. I must agree with Barbara that men, like my father, are drawn to the technical challenge of growing them. He also grew roses, another challenging flower. But there is something else about orchids...they seem to be addictive, one is never enough. Perhaps this is why Sir Trevor had 14 greenhouses. He just couldn't stop.
That clematis is a delicate beauty, dear Edith, and I enjoyed your riveting post! Eszter
I do enjoy your short bios they are very enjoyable and informative. He sounds like a very interesting man, I wish the RHS were more interested in horticulture than entertaining the masses but I presume that funding drives this point of view
Dear Kathy, Thank you for your comment. I am pleased that you too enjoy the texensis Clematis. 'Princess of Wales' is indeed lovely, rather more lipstick red as I remember and not quite so vigorous.
Dear Pamels, Thank you so much for your comment. Yes, I think that you would enjoy the texensis Clematis if can track them down. They do add something special to the autumn garden.
Oh, an artist to paint the garden. What a wonderful idea!
Dear Helen, Thank you so much for your comment. Ah, the psychology of Orchid growing. You could well be right about the addictive qualities of owning them.
I am so surprised that you have not any any luck with growing Orchids after having been given detailed instructions. I am now inspired to try again after the advice I have received.
Dear Eszter, Thank you for your kind comment. I agree with you. Clematis t. 'Sir Trevor Lawrence' is indeed beautiful.
Dear Helen, Thank you for your comment. A most interesting point which you raise about the RHS. I must admit that I did smile when I read that Sir T's motto was to 'get back to basics' so to speak!!
Hello, Edith! Another educational post about an interesting gentleman paid tribute by numerous plant varieties including your very own clematis. I enjoyed learing about both the man and the clematis. It sounds like a beautiful vine. I enjoy them but cannot grow them in my region as they are too delicate.
I'm sorry to hear you've not had success with orchids, although I must admit that I wasn't either until I moved to the tropics. They grow easily in my garden now, and on my patio, with little effort from me. Additionally, I prefer to "hide" them among my tree branches when they are not in bloom. I do not wish to upset anyone, but in my opinion, orchids are not particularly attractive when out of bloom.
Dear Kimberly, Thank you so much for your comment. I agree with you that Orchids when not flowering are not so attractive and think that your idea of hiding them under tree branches is a good solution. I have thought to try out Orchids in pots and that will, of course, mean that I shall be able to move them 'centre stage' if they ever do perform and hide them in the 'wings' when not looking their best!
Hi Edith! What an interesting man and a great post, of course. I think it would be great to have a flower named after you. My favorite is a daisy, so maybe it could be called Leucanthemum kateum. ah, well, I can dream, right? :)
Dear Edith: Are there still men like T. Lawrence around? I hope so!If not, I shall have to console myself with googling the clematis. (now that sounded funny!) :)
I'm a little behind in blog reading the last couple of weeks. I so enjoyed this post though, although Sir Trevor Lawrence would roll in his grave if he saw the trail of orchids that have met their demise at my hands over the years. I just don't have the knack (nor do I have devoted glass houses for them, perhaps that's where my problem lies). I can keep them going through bloom...but they always fade away long before they can bloom again. The mind boggles at the notion of a £14,000 orchid, remarkable. Thankfully I've never killed an orchid of such value. I'm safer with clematis, and the clematis you describe sounds like a beautiful resident of your autumn garden borders.
Dear Kate, Thank you for your comment. Yes, it is rather a lovely idea to have a plant named after one, but difficult now to know quite how to go about it.All Daisies are such beautiful, cheery flowers and would, I am sure, suit you perfectly.
Dear Ms. S, Thank you so much for your amusing comment. I think that there are men around as dashing and as wealthy as Sir T but they always seem to have been 'snapped up'!We shall both have to console ourselves with googling - yes that does sound funny!!
Dear Clare, Thank you for your comment. I feel so much better now knowing that you too cannot keep Orchids going. I shall however, armed with all this new advice, have another go. At least, as you say, I shall have the pleasures of the blooms when the plant is recently purchased - chance if anything happens after that!
Have you ever thought of having all your little anecdotes published? They are always interesting and often amusing to read. You must do a lot of very interesting research.
All the best,
Ingrid
Dear Ingrid, Thank you so much for your kind comment. A number of people have commented about creating a possible collection one day of my 'Name Dropping' postings and I may well consider this once I have amassed a sufficient number. For now, they serve to satisfy my own curiosity, but I am pleased that you enjoy them.
A very interesting post for me.
The Cattleya was actually named after a relative of my husband's, Sir William Cattley. He discovered it in packing material and cultivated it. My grandfather in law, Eric Cattley, continued to raise orchids in Devon.
Small world?
Hi Edith
Thank you for introducing us to such an energetic and passionate man. I also have not had success with orchids although I once spent an enjoyable week in the bush with several orchid- philes and discovered several tiny exquisite wild orchids growing wild. I wonder what STL meant by 'horticulture pure and simple'?
cheers, catmint
Dear Sarah, Thank you so much for your comment. How intriguing that you are a relative of the Orchid namesake Cattley family. I shall look up this connection as I am now most interested to find out more. As you say, what a small world we live in!
Dear Catmint, Thank you so much for your comment. I should have loved to have been with you discovering Orchids growing in the wild. I do think that the wild species are so delicately beautiful. However, trapped with enthusiasts for any particulr plant variety [I am thinking of an experience I once had with a group of Galanthophiles] can be rather wearing!!
Christopher Lloyd really made a great difference to my clematis growing when I met him and asked for his advice.
Dear Barbara, Thank you for your comment. CL was indeed a most knowledgeable and interesting character. He could be very intolerant of time wasters but was, I felt, very generous with his time and expertise with keen gardeners. You were ne of the lucky ones!
Dear Edith,
This sounds like a very charming clematis. I haven't been able to get a clematis truly established, yet. I haven't successfully established a clematis, yet. (Well, I had just, when I had to leave the parsonage. =() I am thinking, though, from the way that you have been describing them, that I don't fully realize their potential.
I love orchids! My grandfather (who lived in the moderate and mild, central California - near the coast) had a beautifully green thumb. He didn't have borders, per se. He specialized in lush patios. In the '20s, he rescued some orchids that a neighbor was going to rip up and throw out. By the time I was on the scene, in the '90s, they were huge and lush with, at least, 70 flowering stalks on them. They were a serious and inspiring treat!
Love, Katy
Dearest Katy, Thank you so much for your comment. The thing about all clematis is to plant really, really deeply in a rich soil of well rotted compost, water well until established, and apply a thick, annual mulch. Thereafter, plain sailing! Do try again as they are so very rewarding, particularly the late flowering ones which are cut back to ground level in late winter/early spring.
Your grandfather's orchids sound to have been magnificent. I wish that I had his skill where these lovely plants are concerned. I do hope that by now you are feeling more yourself and have a lovely family celebration.
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