Comments on: Thomas Fairchild, Gardener of Hoxton

By: John White

John White — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 20:22:13 +0000

Please allow me to offer an alternative observation of the miserable little park where Thomas Fairchild is buried. I love wild flowers, to the point where I am dismissive of cultivated plants, calling them GM plants or mutants. I first stumbled, by chance, across this park about 2 years ago. I noted that it was named after a horticulturalist who has a tomb there, but mostly I was struck by the desolation and air of misery about the place. There were no flowers, save a few yellow flowers on a shrub. Nobody else entered while I was there. Haunted by this memory, I set out to re-find it recently, which took some exploring. Again, though it was late May, there were hardly any flowers – a few daisies, a small sprig of Herb Robert, a small dog-rose in a corner. Many shrubs, “weedy” looking plants on the soil, no flowers. Again, no-one there, save a man who called in for 15 seconds to allow his dog to piss on the grass. And this is in a very busy area. This time I read the boards properly, and later researched more. To my astonishment I read that he was the first person to discover that plants had 2 sexes and thus could be cross-pollinated to create “mutants”. He was the first person to create an artificial scientifically-created plant. I gasped. It’s HIM! He’s the one to blame for all the alien mutations that proliferate our gardens. And I was awestruck by the legacy that has been bestowed upon him by Nature – to survive eternity in a miserable place where wild flowers do not want to be and seemingly turn their backs on him. We mess with Nature at our peril….

By: Esther Wilkinson Rank

Esther Wilkinson Rank — Mon, 16 May 2022 08:46:22 +0000

Sad to learn that Thomas Fairchild’s resting place is so neglected but he is remembered in Hackney and a primary school is named after him.

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 15 May 2022 22:34:35 +0000

This is the nicest tribute. It does my heart good.

By: Barbara C

Barbara C — Sun, 15 May 2022 18:37:27 +0000

There is a rose named after him, ‘The Ingenious Mr Fairchild’, bred by David Austin. A nice way to commemorate such an important gardener.
https://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/products/the-ingenious-mr-fairchild

By: Marion M

Marion M — Fri, 13 May 2022 15:44:24 +0000

Well done for resurecting the memory of an amazing plantsman. I am fascinated by the history of the plants and flowers that we have today, where they came from and who found them and bred them. Thank you

By: Cherub

Cherub — Thu, 12 May 2022 21:51:38 +0000

Not had the best of days today, but the photo of the bowl of pinks has really cheered me up. It’s the gorgeous colour and the beauty of both the flowers and the bowl.

By: Di Corry

Di Corry — Thu, 12 May 2022 16:31:49 +0000

What a lovely tribute GA .
Love the pinks in your little bowl.

By: gkbowood

gkbowood — Thu, 12 May 2022 13:45:58 +0000

Thank you for the picture of that wonderful espaliered pear tree! No doubt,
Mr Fairchild would have appreciated the effort that goes into such creations.

By: Jennifer Newbold

Jennifer Newbold — Thu, 12 May 2022 13:21:39 +0000

I love the poignance and simplicity of your carnation tribute, and I suspect Thomas Fairchild would appreciate it, too. A pity that I live across the ocean and am lucky to get to London once a year, or I would be honoured to take on the maintaining of his burial place.

I was also struck by the beauty and symmetry of that espaliered pear tree. It is a work of art and something you just don’t get to see, here in the wilds of Massachusetts!

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 12 May 2022 10:59:04 +0000

What a lovely blog about a fascinating man. I wish I lived near the neglected park and burial ground as I would love to tidy it up and do some gardening. Hopefully some locals might read this article and be spurred into action.