Henry Eckford (horticulturist)

This article is about the British horticulturist. For the naval architect, see Henry Eckford (shipbuilder). For the 1824 steamboat, see Henry Eckford (ship). For the U.S. Navy oiler, see USNS Henry Eckford (T-AO-192).

Henry Eckford (17 May 1823 – 5 December 1905) was a Scots horticulturist and reputedly the most famous breeder of sweet peas,[1] transforming the plant from a minor horticultural subject into the queen of annuals.[citation needed] U.S. horticulturist Liberty Hyde Bailey called him "the prince of specialists".[2] In 1888 he moved to the town of Wem in Shropshire, England. It was in Wem that he perfected the breeding of his Grandiflora sweet peas, which in size of bloom and general performance were a great improvement over previous varieties.

  1. ^ Rice, Graham (2003). The Sweet Pea Book. Timber Press. pp. 143. ISBN 0-88192-595-0.
  2. ^ Bailey, Liberty Hyde (1902). Cyclopedia of American Horticulture: Comprising Suggestions for Cultivation of Horticultural Plants, Descriptions of the Species of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers, and Ornamental Plants Sold in the United States and Canada, Together with Geographical and Biographical Sketches. The Macmillan Company.