The Gardeners' Library Initiative by John Claudius Loudon
When we encountered the rich history of garden libraries in walled gardens, we knew it had to be part of the Bothy Gardens’ story. Our vision is to blend new and old resources with objects, tools, and plant specimens to create a true working library. This space will offer classes and resources on all types of gardening, new and old techniques, and the history of horticulture.
In the early 19th century, the renowned horticulturist and writer John Claudius Loudon proposed an innovative idea to revolutionise gardeners' education and professional development. In his book "The Gardener's Magazine," published in 1827, Loudon introduced establishing libraries within gardeners' tool houses. This initiative aimed to provide gardeners access to a wide range of books and resources, enabling them to expand their knowledge and skills in horticulture.
The Importance of Knowledge Sharing: Loudon recognised the significance of knowledge sharing among gardeners. He believed that by having access to a comprehensive library, gardeners could continually educate themselves, stay updated with the latest advancements, and improve their expertise. The gardeners' libraries acted as hubs of learning and served as valuable resources for both experienced gardeners and apprentices.
The Reading List: As part of his initiative, Loudon compiled a preliminary reading list of 167 titles covering various aspects of horticulture, botany, landscaping, and agriculture. The suggested books encompassed plant identification, garden design principles, cultivation techniques, and plant propagation methods. This curated collection aimed to provide gardeners with a solid foundation of knowledge and inspire them to explore new ideas and practices.
Although I haven’t found the exact list of books which was published in the “Gardener’s Magazine” here is a small list of important books from the same period that John Claudius Loudon might have included in his compilation for gardeners' libraries:
Loudon's own works:
"An Encyclopaedia of Gardening" (1822) by John Claudius Loudon
"The Gardener's Magazine" (published starting in 1826) by John Claudius Loudon
Botanical and horticultural classics:
"The Gardener's Dictionary" by Philip Miller (first published in 1731)
"The Complete Herbal" by Nicholas Culpeper (first published in 1653)
Agricultural and practical guides:
"The Farmer's Calendar" by Arthur Young (first published in 1771)
"The Complete Farmer" by a Society of Gentlemen (first published in 1767)
Florilegia and plant descriptions:
"Curtis's Botanical Magazine" by William Curtis (started publication in 1787)
"The Botanical Register" by Sydenham Edwards (started publication in 1815)
Works on landscape and garden design:
"Observations on Modern Gardening" by Thomas Whately (published in 1770)
"Sketches and Hints on Landscape Gardening" by Humphry Repton (published in 1794)
Scientific works on botany and natural history:
"Species Plantarum" by Carl Linnaeus (first published in 1753)
"The Natural History of Selborne" by Gilbert White (first published in 1789)
Practical gardening manuals:
"Every Man His Own Gardener" by John Abercrombie (first published in 1767)
"The Practical Gardener, and Modern Horticulturist" by Charles McIntosh (published in the early 19th century)
The Impact on Gardener Education: The establishment of gardeners' libraries profoundly impacted the education and professional development of gardeners. By having easy access to an extensive range of books, gardeners could enhance their skills, broaden their understanding of plants, and adopt new techniques in their work. The libraries also fostered a sense of community and camaraderie among gardeners, encouraging exchanging ideas and experiences.
Examples of Gardeners' Libraries: Several estates and gardens embraced Loudon's vision and built libraries within their tool-houses. Notable examples include the Chatsworth House, Kew Gardens, and Holkham Hall Gardens. These libraries housed a vast collection of books on horticulture, botany, and related subjects, offering gardeners a wealth of information and inspiration.
Preserving the Legacy: Although the concept of gardeners' libraries might have evolved, providing access to knowledge and promoting continuous learning in horticulture remains relevant today. Modern gardening institutions, botanical gardens, and educational centres continue to prioritise disseminating knowledge to gardeners, ensuring that the legacy of the gardeners' libraries lives on. Today, we continue to celebrate the legacy of the gardeners' libraries by embracing a spirit of knowledge-sharing and providing accessible educational opportunities to gardeners worldwide.
Our inspiration board!
Garden Library at Bothy Gardens
We are thrilled to announce that Bothy Gardens will feature its modern garden library opening in 2025, inspired by Loudon's visionary initiative. Our library will combine historical and contemporary resources, offering a unique blend of tools, plant specimens, and educational materials. It will be a space where novice and experienced gardeners can come together to learn, share, and grow. Focusing on sustainability and innovation, our garden library will be a cornerstone of Bothy Gardens, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world and horticultural heritage.
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project as we bring the garden library to life at Bothy Gardens!
More about Garden Libraries
https://janellemccullochlibraryofdesign.blogspot.com/2014/07/garden-libraries.html
https://www.osgf.org/library (Bunny Mellon’s celebrated Oak Spring Garden Library comprises a collection of over 19,000 objects, including rare books, manuscripts, and works of art dating back to the 14th century.)
