The Royal Horticultural Society’s garden in Chiswick
The Royal Horticultural Society (then known as the Horticultural Society) opened its garden at Chiswick, just west of London, in April 1823. The Society intended the garden at Chiswick to be an experimental garden. Its initial focus was on fruit, including the identification and naming of fruit varieties, and cultivation techniques.
Staff at the garden included a number of head gardeners and a workforce of apprentices, known as under-gardeners. These young men were often the sons of gardeners, and were instructed in the practices of each garden department. The most famous beneficiary of this training was Joseph Paxton, who was first employed as a labourer at Chiswick in 1823. Paxton developed an interest in greenhouses, and went on to design the Crystal Palace in 1851.
Staff at the garden included a number of head gardeners and a workforce of apprentices, known as under-gardeners. These young men were often the sons of gardeners, and were instructed in the practices of each garden department. The most famous beneficiary of this training was Joseph Paxton, who was first employed as a labourer at Chiswick in 1823. Paxton developed an interest in greenhouses, and went on to design the Crystal Palace in 1851.