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Peter D. A. Boyd
Peter D. A. Boyd
Web version of
BOYD, P.D.A. 1999 A register of Shropshire-related cultivated plants NCCPG Newsletter
At the last AGM I enquired whether the Shropshire Branch of NCCPG had considered preparing information for a book on Shropshire-related cultivars such as that published by the Devon Branch and published or in preparation by at least one other County group. The answer was no but what an interesting idea![paraphrased]
As a result, I have been asked to explore the possibilities and I have undertaken to set up and maintain a computerised database at Rowleys House Museum as the first step in testing the water.
What will we consider to be a Shropshire Plant? I suggest, as an initial approach, the following which may relate to hardy or tender woody or non-woody plants :-
These criteria may be reduced or increased in number in future but they will, hopefully, prompt members to think about plants which they think will fit. This will be team effort and will depend, in part, upon the knowledge of individual members about particular groups of plants but also, in part, because you may have just happened to pick up a snippet of information somewhere! Equally, a knowledge of old fruit, vegetable or flower varieties which may have been Shropshire specialities would be useful to record. At first we may have just a name and then someone else be able to provide a description and someone else know where an example still exists. Information about old Shropshire nurseries and their catalogues may be invaluable. A computer database is ideally suited to accumulating such information.
The following is the start of a cultivar list derived mainly from an initial trawl of the Plant Finder Reference Library 1998/99 Professional CD-Rom. I will report on the results of your additions and amendments in a future newsletter.
Aster novi-belgii 'Percy Thrower'
Berberis darwinii
Calceolaria darwinii
Colchicum 'Darwin'
Hebe darwiniana [synonym H. glaucophylla]
Helleborus x sternii 'Bulmer's Blush Strain'
Hoya darwinii hort. [synonym. H. australis]
Iris sibirica 'Ellesmere'
Lathyrus odoratus 'Dorothy Eckford'
Lathyrus odoratus 'Eckford's Mix'
Lathyrus odoratus 'Henry Eckford'
Lathyrus odoratus Percy Thrower
Malus domestica 'Shropshire Lady's Fingers'
Malus domestica 'Shropshire Pippin' [synonym King of the Pippins]
Nymphaea 'Darwin' [synonym Hollandia]
Prunus insititia 'Shropshire Damson' [synonym P. insititia 'Prune Damson']
Prunus 'Shropshire Prune' [listed separately in Fruit and Veg Finder to Shropshire Damson]
Rhodohypoxis 'Albrighton'
Rosa 'Ausled' [A Shropshire Lad]
Rosa 'Ausmurr' [Hilda Murrell]
Rosa 'Fryshrewby' [Shrewsbury Show]Rosa 'Percy Thrower'
Rosa 'Shropshire Lass'
Numerous other varieties of David Austin's New English Roses
Siegfriedia darwinoides
Taxus baccata 'Dovastoniana'
Taxus baccata 'Dovastonii Aurea'
Tulipa, Darwin Tulips
Zinnia darwiniana
and from just over the Wales/Shropshire Border:-
Anthemis tinctoria 'Powis White'
Artemesia 'Powis Castle'
Penstemon 'Powis Castle'
Salvia 'Powis Castle'
If you can add anything to these if only a name but, if possible, with a description and reference to a article, book or catalogue in which it is mentioned - please write to me, telephone or fax!
Peter Boyd
Shropshire Cultivated Plants Register
c/o Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery (Rowleys House),
Barker Street,
Shrewsbury
SY1 1QH
Tel. 01743 361196 Fax. 01743 358411
e-mail: peterboyd@shrewsbury-atcham.gov.uk