I recently learned that the Nigella 'Miss Jekyll' honors a famous gardener rather than just describing its striking two-tone bracts and soft petals. I always thought of my Nigellas as these punk rock plants with a soft side! I'm curious, what are some plant names that have surprised you or that you once mistook for something else?
3 Answers
Oh, I once had a hilarious experience asking for a 'Cotton Easter' plant, which I thought was a real thing! Turns out, I meant Cotoneaster. And when I asked for 'Wigglia,' the nursery guy was kind enough not to laugh too much. He even suggested calling Aquilegia 'Ladies Bonnets' instead, which cracked me up!
I was so surprised to find out that my camellia, Lady Campbell, was named after a 19th-century horticulturalist, not the more famous Lady Colin Campbell! It made me appreciate my lovely rosy camellia even more!
A win! And such a beautiful rosy camellia too!
It's funny, many plants have cool names tied to historical figures. Take Ellen Wilmott, for example! She was a fascinating gardener and if you're into that stuff, you should check out 'Miss Wilmott's Ghosts' by Sandra Lawrence. Her old estate in Essex is now a nature reserve, and the daffodils she planted bloom there every year. Totally worth a visit if you're around!
Thanks for the recommendations! I'm down in Essex a couple of times a year so will definitely make the trip!
Cotton Easter sounds fabulous!! ? Everyday's a school day!