Ernest Henry "Chinese" Wilson

Posted by Georgene A. Bramlage Jan 12, 2007

"Chinese" Wilson, botanist and adventurer, was no lazybones. In fact, he was everything a budding horticulturalist could want in a hero! He traveled and put his life in jeporady to seek out, document, and bring back plants for introduction to western gardens and landscapes. Wilson introduced over 100,000 Asian plants to western horticultural landscapes. And, many label him as "the most famous and horticulturally important plant hunter in China."

This month, January 2007, is the centenary of Wilson's first trip to China under the auspices of the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, MA. I live not far from the Arboretum, have been an Arboretum Friend for decades, and grow many Arboretum plants obtained either as seeds or as rooted cuttings. At one time, I thought it would be neat to grow as many Wilson plants as possible in my landscape. Alas! Many of Wilson's introductions do not survive in my cold garden.

Therefore, this month, I begin a series of articles dedicated to my horticultural hero "Chinese" Wilson, his explorations, plants, and the uses of these plants in landscape designs and plans.

• "Chinese" Wilson's Memorial Garden (Chipping Campden, England) describes the lovely intimate garden in which designers used only Wilson plant introductions. I was fortunate enough to spend time in this garden shortly after its dedication in 1984, 1985, and again in 1987.

Mike Gerrard, Suite101's UK and Ireland Travel Writer, visited the Wilson Memorial Garden on a walking / eating weekend in June 2005. He assures me that the garden was fine then and wouldn't have changed much since then.

• E. Wilson - Intrepid Plant Hunter describes Wilson's first and second Arnold Arboretum- sponsored trips to China. His goal? Introduce Asian plants to western landscapes.

Why not join in this discussion about "Chinese" Wilson and other plant hunters at this link?