Explore the Timeless Art of Gardening at Myddleton House: Conveniently situated only 30 minutes from London's heart, this enlightening destination is open to all, promising an immersive experience that showcases genuine horticultural dedication.
Unleashing the Garden Genius: Exploring the Mesmerizing World of Edward Augustus Bowles
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Dive into the Enchanting Realm of the Horticultural Pioneer, Edward Augustus Bowles🌻🌷🌸
If you're intrigued by the kaleidoscope of blooming wallflowers and irises around this season, let's take a captivating stroll through the remarkable life of E. A. Bowles, the legendary gardener who put Enfield, London on the map with more than just bikes and rifles. Picture a horticultural equivalent of "Howards End," nestled in this upbeat locale, home to the Bowles family at Myddelton House, EN2 – a family that had successfully established themselves in business in the area for a whopping 250 years before little Edward Augustus' grand entrance in 1865.
A benevolent aristocracy, five kids, and a jovial, plump mother who affectionately referred to herself as "bouncing" about the house. The household boasted top-notch nurseries, indoors and out, and a garden pavilion transformed by young Augustus into a natural history museum. After receiving an education at home with his younger sister Medora, Bowles lost the sight of one eye at eight and spent a year learning piano by ear in a dimly lit room. You might be astonished to learn that he lost his other eye in old age, yet he could still identify plants by the scent of their leaves, a talent he sharpened alongside his sister while playing "The Smelling Game."
Once Medora and a brother succumbed to tuberculosis in their twenties, disabilities and prolonged childhood illness often nurture amazing powers of perception and strength in individuals. His vivid writing, overflowing with nuanced descriptions, managed to break the strict boundaries of conventional garden literature. Being the first Edwardian to write that "the smell of phlox is both peppery and pigsty," it is heartening to discover this unconventional horticulturist who loved the ordinariness of nature. Bowles' writing breathed life into his world and left an enduring impact on later and more famous garden writers like Vita Sackville-West.
Suggestions like planting a Daphne odora by your back door, where the cat lounges, and flies swarm, were frowned upon before the mid 20th century. But Bowles didn't shy away from being productive – he immersed himself in the RHS when he focused on botany and botanical illustration after studying theology at Cambridge. By the turn of the century, Bowles was a powerful force, publishing his first book, "My Garden in Spring," just as the First World War sent shockwaves through society. The wake of the war created a shortage of cash and labor in the gardening world. In response, a form of gardening that we all aspire to today began to evolve out of necessity. Meanwhile, the expanding middle class and growing suburbs were already democratizing and transforming gardening as we know it.
Glorious gardens like Sissinghurst in Kent, Hidcote and Kiftsgate in Gloucestershire, Great Dixter in East Sussex, East Lambrook in Somerset, Charleston in East Sussex, and Benton End in Suffolk all emerged during the interwar period, all fueled by a significant level of private wealth. As vice president of the RHS from 1926 until his death in 1954, Bowles played a crucial role in shaping the future of gardening. Casting himself as a peacemaker, he skillfully tamed ruffled feathers when a quarrel erupted at the RHS due to the flamboyant Reginald Farrer's explosive introduction to Bowles' book. The fracas arose from Farrer's accusation that avaricious Edwardian collectors, including a prominent RHS member, were on a mission to "purchase the glories of the Alps at so much a yard." Bowles placated the conflict by inviting the feuding parties to the annual Tulip Tea held on his birthday in May.
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Bowles was described as "hugely entertaining in a category of his own" due to his warmth and the sense of wonder he seemingly emitted. His writing is immediate, never pretentious, and often candid about his laziness, an impressive feat considering his noteworthy achievements. Helping the underprivileged in his community was a lifelong passion, and he worked to ensure that young, disadvantaged individuals received training using his estate. To this day, Myddelton House remains part of the Lee Valley Park and is undergoing restoration, funded by the lottery. So, let's go and experience Bowles' magical garden for ourselves, as furious Farrer also wrote in his foreword: "Come into Mr. Bowles's garden and learn what true gardening is."
Isabel Bannerman
Isabel Bannerman, alongside her husband Julian, is one of Britain's most celebrated garden designers, boasting over 40 years of experience in the field. They received the Royal Warrant of King Charles III in 2024. Isabel's latest book, "A Wilderness of Sweets: Making Gardens with Scented Plants," will be published by Pimpernel Press in May 2025. Delve deeper into Isabel and Julian's captivating oeuvre at bannermandesign.com 🌺🌼🌷.
Bonus Fact:Edward Augustus Bowles earned the nickname "The Crocus King" for his exceptional work with crocuses, snowdrops, and colchicums. His impact on the gardening world extends beyond his garden and writings – many plants, such as the snowdrop 'Benhall Beauty,' have been named or recognized by him, highlighting his extraordinary contributions to the field of horticulture 🌸❣️.
Embrace the captivating world of Edward Augustus Bowles, the legendary gardener, as you delve into the home-and-garden lifestyle he cultivated at Myddelton House. In his garden design, Bowles, often referred to as the 'Crocus King', pioneered unconventional planting ideas that continue to influence modern gardening. Learn from Isabel Bannerman, one of Britain's most celebrated garden designers, as she shares her wisdom on using scented plants in her upcoming book, "A Wilderness of Sweets: Making Gardens with Scented Plants."
