- Henry Eckford (plant breeder)
Henry Eckford (1823-1905) was the most famous breeder of sweet peas, transforming the plant from a minor horticultural subject into the "queen of annuals". In 1888 He moved to the village of
Wem inShropshire . It was in Wem that he perfected the breeding of his Grandiflora sweet peas, which in size of bloom and general performance were a great improvement over previous varieties.In honour of Henry Eckford the town of Wem (specifically the Eckford Sweet Pea Society of Wem) holds each year in July a sweet pea show. In this there is a section for old fashioned varieties, always including many bred by Henry Eckford.
Henry Eckford was a Fellow of the
Royal Horticultural Society , and was awarded the Society's highest award, theVictoria Medal of Honour .External links
* [http://www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk/sweetpea/ Henry Eckford Sweet Pea Society] from Virtual Shropshire
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