“The Scot John Veitch, arrived in Devon in the 1770s and became a Land Steward, Nurseryman and Landscape Designer, founding what would later become the famous Veitch Dynasty of horticulturists.”

This talk concentrates on the earlier years of the business from some of John Veitch's work, his son James Veitch's achievements with his son James junior as well as the highlights of their first three remarkable plant collectors. They were; William and Thomas Lobb from Cornwall and Richard Pearce from Devon. Between them, they laid the foundations of what would become a powerful and influential horticultural legacy from which another twenty plant hunters would follow.

Concentrating on the Devon years enables a greater degree of depth into the early history of Messrs Veitch which is not normally possible in the more general presentation.

I wrote this particular presentation for the Devon History Society in October 2024 and it was well-received.

⚜ Plants Behaving Badly

An illustrated look at a range of popular and well-known garden plants which can easily cause much trouble in the garden to the unaware. This practical talk highlights many such plants to be cautious of planting or giving away, unless you wish to become unpopular with friends and family alike! It is rather surprising how many commonly offered plants fall in to this category and the talk maybe slightly controversial to some keen gardeners.

This humourous and informative talk illustrates some of the better-known plants to be cautious of but also covers practical solutions to the challenges.

⚜ Charles Darwin's Famous Plants

In December 1831, HMS Beagle set sail from Plymouth on what was to be one of the most important scientific voyages of the century.

Charles Darwin (1809-1882) was not first choice as naturalist for this important trip. However, his work and insights led him to discover many new and important plants, and his journal of the voyage established him as a popular author.

This talk illustrates some of his most interesting botanical finds, details his experiments with plants and tells some stories of his trip.

⚜ Ernest 'Chinese' Wilson

Ernest Henry Wilson (1876-1930) was one of the greatest ever plant collectors. His first two, highly successful trips to China were on behalf of James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea.

Later he moved to America to work at Harvard University.

The primary objective of his first trip was in search of the Dove Tree (the 'Pocket-handkerchief tree' Davidia involucrata) but he also discovered 400 new plants including Lilium regale (pictured).

His many discoveries earned him the title 'Chinese' Wilson and he went on to botanise in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India and Africa. By the end of his career he had introduced approximately 1,000 previously unknown plants.

⚜ Charles Maries, The Plant Collector

Charles Maries (1850-1902) was from Warwickshire and introduced many well-known garden plants from his trip to Japan, China and Taiwan between 1877 to 1879.

He kept an interesting journal of his adventures and many of his finds, such as Abies mariesii, Davallia mariesii, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mariesii', Platycodon grandiflorum 'Mariesii' and Viburnum plicatum 'Mariesii' (pictured), bear his name.

⚜ Richard Pearce, The Plant Collector

Plymouth-born Richard Pearce collected plants in South America including the lovely Azara microphylla, Eucryphia glutinosa, Hippeastrums and the gorgeous orchid Masdevallia veitchiana, which was found growing at an altitude of 12,000 feet (3,600m).

Today's tuberous begonias are descended from Begonia boliviensis (pictured), introduced by Pearce. This talk illustrates other finds of his from Chile, Patagonia, Peru and Bolivia.

⚜ John Gould Veitch, The Plant Collector

In 1861, John Gould Veitch (1839-1870) was the first official Western plant collector allowed into Japan and given the honour of ascending Mount Fuji-yama, where he found some important new plants.

Although his movements were strictly controlled, he was still able to send home many plants previously unknown outside Japan including maples, lilies, and attractive conifers which were received with great excitement.

Later he collected further ornamental plants from Japan, the Philippine Islands, Australia and the South Sea Islands.

⚜ The Story of Veitch Orchids

Nineteen of the Veitch nurseries' twenty-three plant hunters collected new orchids.

As well as developing an important Orchidaceae collection, one of the firm's horticultural firsts was the creation of the world's first official orchid hybrid.

This was achieved by John Dominy, who is credited with raising (1854) and flowering (1856) Calanthe × Dominii and many others, including Calanthe Veitchii (pictured).

His success led to the breeding of hundreds of new orchids as well as the establishment of a new branch of horticulture, highly controversial in Victorian Britain where it was regarded as 'tampering with nature.'

He taught his hybridising method to his colleague John Seden, who is credited with raising over 500 new orchids.

This talk follows the efforts of Veitch's plant collectors in searching out new species, the early development of Veitch orchids and the awards they generated.

⚜ The Olive

The olive is a powerful 'Tree of Peace' and has long been associated with immortality, having a strong symbolic and spiritual significance throughout history. Caradoc has been growing olives in the UK since the early 1990s, and has brought the variety Olea europaea 'Peace' into cultivation.

In recent years olive trees have gained in popularity as an ornamental garden plant. Interestingly, the oldest olive in Britain is now over 100 years old.

This talk recounts some of the stories connected with the olive through the ages, outlines its uses and symbolism and advises on how to grow olive trees in the British Isles today.

⚜ Sir Harry & The Nurseries of James Veitch & Sons

Sir Harry James Veitch F.L.S. V.M.H. (1840-1924), was involved with the famous nursery dynasty of James Veitch & Sons' from an early age.

During his lifetime, he witnessed the sending out of all of the twenty-three Veitch plant collectors. In fact he sent twelve of the explorers out himself under instruction to search out and return interesting plants for British gardens and greenhouses.

Many of these plants are still in our gardens today.

Sir Harry was an extraordinary botanist, horticulturist and businessman and a generous supporter of gardening charities and the Royal Horticultural Society.

In 1912 he played a leading role in securing the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea for the first Royal International Horticultural Exhibition to be held in Britain since 1866, served on many committees and was knighted in the same year for his outstanding contribution to horticulture.

The following year the Royal Horticultural Society used the same venue for the Great Spring Show, better known today as the Chelsea Flower Show.

The following practical advisory talk concentrates on discussing plants which are easily available from most local nurseries and garden centres, with an occasional light-hearted sprinkling of attempted humour for added entertainment!

⚜ Seaside Gardening

An informative presentation giving helpful and practical advice on dealing with the particular challenges of gardening by the coast. With personal experience of gardening in salt-laden places, this illustrated talk discusses many colourful and useful plants which are actually tough enough to survive and help create an attractive and interesting coastal garden.

⚜ Solving Shady Problems

Most gardens have an unsightly shady corner where moss or bare soil takes centre stage. In this talk solutions are offered to overcome this issue and instead create an area of interest and beauty. This can be achieved by practical use of the space and careful selection of useful plants ideally suited not only to survive, but to thrive in these challenging places.

⚜ Fantastic Foliage Plants

An eye-opening introduction into many often-neglected but useful foliage plants, this talk illustrates the great diversity and types of foliage and evergreen plant material essential for adding that extra dimension of all-year-round interest to the garden.

⚜ Wonderful Winter Interest

Here, some useful ideas and suggestions are discussed to extend the period of interest in the garden, especially throughout the winter. This talk illustrates some superb winter-flowering shrubs, climbing and other plants to help with this perennial challenge.

⚜ Fragrant Beauties

Why are there so few wonderfully fragrant plants growing in our gardens today? When most gardeners wish to add scent to their garden they reach for herbs or a rose, and there is nothing wrong with that except for the many other plants that could be chosen which will provide flower for every month of the year. This talk sets out to offer some other interesting planting choices.

⚜ Planting for Bees

As gardeners, we already know how reliant we are on a range of bees for the survival of our gardens and pollination of our fruit and vegetables. In addition, bees are now often reliant on gardeners for their survival. They can easily find plenty of flowers during the main flowering season but this talk also highlights plants which flower outside the main flowering season, providing forage for the bees and added interest for the gardener.

⚜ Exhibiting at Chelsea

Having been involved with creating a medal-winning educational exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2012 for the plant conservation charity Plant Heritage, this illustrated talk covers the personal experience of undertaking this challenge from inception to judging plus the honour of meeting The Late HM The Queen.

⚜ Putting Your Garden to Bed for Winter

A practical and common-sense presentation with a variety of top tips and sound ideas for helping to avoid winter damage in the garden and some money-saving ideas and other things to think about, from a gardeners' perspective, as winter approaches.

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© 2004-2024 Caradoc Doy. All Rights Reserved.

Sweet Talks

Orchid cultivation, Singapore

The National Orchid Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens

Orchid cultivation at the National Orchid Garden of the Singapore Botanical Gardens, Singapore.

© 2004-2024 Caradoc Doy. All Rights Reserved.

Please feel free to contact Caradoc Doy regarding the Veitch Nurseries of Exeter & Chelsea, for gardening talks or for garden-planning and planting advice.