The Garden is dedicated to the memory of Ernest Henry Wilson (1876-1930), one of the greatest plant collectors, and is planted up with many of the plants that he introduced to this country from China. The Garden was opened by Roy Lanacaster F.L.S.V.M.M. in May 1984, and is open to the public every day free of charge.
In the 1970's a decision was taken, at the suggestion of Sir Gordon Russell, that the best way to mark the centenary of Wilson's birth was to create a garden as a permanent memorial. The town acquired the lower half of the large vicarage garden in 1980, which fronts onto the main street, with a splendid view of the church tower to the rear. The garden was laid out after a design by Sir Peter Shepheard with plants selected from the 1200 or so that Wilson had introduced. Money was raised locally and many of the plants were generous donated by both individuals and nurseries.
On 31st May 1984, the garden was opened by the well-known broadcaster and plant hunter, Roy Lancaster. An Acer Davidii was planted by Wilson's grand-daughter, Mrs Barbara Abbott.'
Ernest or 'Chinese' Wilson as he later became known, was born in Chipping Campden on February 15th 1897. As a young man he worked in Birmingham Botanical Gardens where he studied botany in the evenings and
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Ernest Wilson Memorial Garden