Wisley celebrates women in horticulture
15 July 2011
29 June 2011 -
11 September 2011
In 2010 for the first time in the Royal Horticultural Society’s history, two women, Elizabeth Banks and Sue Biggs, hold the most senior positions in the Society – President and Director General.
Inspired by this and following the success of the display at the RHS London Orchid and Botanical Art Show in March, the RHS Lindley Library at Wisley is pleased to host a display to highlight the life and works of a number of women who have been extremely influential in horticulture over the last century.
From 29 June to 11 September 2011, 11am - 4pm, this interpretative display at the Lindley Library, Wisley, celebrates these talented women working in diverse fields of horticulture. Seven were awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour and all of them have left an enduring legacy as educators, scientists, artists, writers and gardeners.
Gertrude Jekyll was a garden designer and one of only two women among the first recipients of the Victoria Medal of Honour in 1897.
Ellen Willmott, a horticulturist, was the other woman among the first recipients of the Victoria Medal of Honour in 1897.
Marion Cran was the first gardening radio broadcaster.
Dorothy Martin, a botanical artist. Her 300 original watercolours are housed in the RHS Lindley Library.
Constance Spry, society flower arranger and social reformer.
Lilian Snelling, botanical artist. The RHS holds an extensive collection of her works.
Margery Fish was a horticultural journalist famous for popularising gardening for the masses after the war.
Vera Higgins was another botanical artist.
Beatrix Havergal, a horticulturist who was a member of the RHS Examinations Board for over 20 years. She started the Waterperry School of Horticulture for Women.
Margaret Mee, a conservationist and botanical artist famous for her trips to the Amazon rainforest.
Valerie Finnis, a plantswoman, alpine gardener and photographer.