Comments on: Columbia Road Market 71

By: Carole Williams

Carole Williams — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 16:52:37 +0000

One of my ancestors, John Sampson, b1699 Blickling in Norolk – d 1739 Hoxton, was apprenticed to Thomas Fairchild Gardner, Citizen & Clothworker of London for 7 years 1715-22 at Hoxton. Fairchild had half an acre of garden land at Hoxton and 2 acres of land over at the Dog House. Carole

By: Pete Edwards

Pete Edwards — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 08:07:24 +0000

Love your blog and I like this little story but found myself somewhat disappointed that you had not picked up an important dimension to the story of “pinks” and Columbia Road Market.
On Hackney Road at its junction with the west end of Columbia Rd is a small park (next to Ye Olde Axe pub) formerly an extension to St.Leonard’s graveyard. Here you can find the grave of Thomas Fairchild (1667-1729) a Hoxton nurseryman and florist, who was the first man to produce an artificial hybrid plant – a cross between a sweet william and a carnation pink. This he called the “Fairchild Mule” – now known as Dianthus caryophyllus barbutus. Next to the park is a new building called Fairmule House (designed by Quay 2c architects) which has glazed panels and balustrades laminated with images of sweet williams and carnations. On the Waterson St. frontage is a plaque to Thomas Fairchild. There are several other interesting dimensions to Fairchild’s story which might be worth following up.

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 23:13:34 +0000

Your pinks are very timely for me as I have been doing some research on them for a tour at the Johnston Collection in Melbourne, Australia. Your glorious photos and interesting information will be a great help.

By: jean

jean — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:24:41 +0000

Always wondered about gilly flowers. Now I know. Thanks.

By: Penny

Penny — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:01:45 +0000

Once again you have lifted the spirits of a one time Londoner, living in a country with wet and dry seasons: where the flowers must be of rude health to survive our firey summers. I can smell your flowers. Thank you for your magical blog.

By: Ros

Ros — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 21:41:27 +0000

So happy to find a flower post again today and feast on the lovely photos. I have missed them these past few months.

By: maria

maria — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 12:14:24 +0000

in my single days, dianthus, whose small delicate flowers with their carnation scent and layered colours, were my personal favorite as pot plants; along with cyclamens and african violets, they are a friendly presence in the life of a solitary dweller

now that i’m not single, dianthus still holds an element of privacy for me, as if it knows my secrets, which is probably why i dont keep it in the house – it also doesnt prefer company: it likes the attention of its master, and it doesnt seem to thrive if there are too many people surrounding it; maybe that’s why your ancestors had special corners devoted to its presence, as i would too, if i were once again to find myself single

By: Swedish house

Swedish house — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 10:44:47 +0000

How pretty? I LOVE Columbia road haven’t been in ages 🙁