Photo 2. Cattleya x dominana (C. x dominiyii)
RHS, Lindley Library
Photo 3. Lilium auratum
RHS, Lindley Library
The Veitch family
Edited by Spring Cui
Do you still remember the Veitch Nursery in Alphington? Did you walk through it with your dog when you were younger? Did you play around there in your childhood? Did you sit in the shadow of the trees there with your boyfriend? The nursery was closed in 1975. The plants brought by the Veitch family are still living with us in streets somewhere in Alphington, Exeter, Devon, Britain ... continously.
James - the first Veitch man to Devon
The Veitch family sent their first man James Veitch to Devon from Jedbrugh, Scotland at the special request of Sir Thomas Acland of the Killerton estate in 1808. He wanted his grounds set out in a manner befitting a gentleman. James Veitch, born in 1792, on his arrival in Devon as a Cottage Gardener said: 'the history of botany furnished us with an enterprising man who devoted a large measure of his means to the enrichment of the botanical collections of this country.'
Collecting - fun! Also an adventure!
This remarkable family was spread over five generations. Most of the generations had large families and always seem to produce some who would carry on the business with great skills and enthusiasm. It was a dynasty that controlled perhaps the most important Nursery firm the world had ever known. Plants, shrubs and trees were introduced to Britain from all the temperate regions of the world by collectors employed by the firm of Veitch or those of the family acting as collectors. At the time of planting, many of the specimens may well have been unique in Europe. Now we see them all around us in our gardens and parks in all parts of Great Britain. The original purpose of bringing rare plants back to Britain was to attract the attention of the British public, especially those who were now acquiring large estates, which they wanted filled with exotic specimens. However, as travel in the last centuries was arduous, difficult and dangerous, the treasure they left for us represented long months and years of patient work. 'It is almost impossible to assess how much we owe to the travellers and hybridists of the firm of Veitch.' said a historian (Beer & Jones P25). John Gould Veitch (1839 - 1870) sailed to Japan at the age of 21 and returned home when he was 31 and died from an affliction of the lungs, leaving a widow and two small sons. Before his sad early death, John collected many evergreen trees, such as Abies, Cryptomeria, Juniper, Larix, Picea, Pinus, Acers, Ampelopsis (named Veitchii in his honour), Lilium Auratum, Primula Japonica and Cortusoides from the Philippine Islands, Crotons, Dracaenas Pandanus and the Aralia from Australia and the South Sea Islands.
The Veitch & Sons
The Veitch family's business in Exeter started from the Mount Radford Nursery in 1832. In 1864, the nursery was moved to New North Road. The Alphington Nursery started in 1929 to which the New North Road moved. Mildred Veitch, B. A. became Managing Director in the same year. She sold the business to St. Bridget Nurseries in 1969 due to her failing health. More than two hundred years of horticulture in Devon by the Veitch family ended. The Veitch & Sons of Exeter and Chelsea ran the largest family run plants nurseries in Europe during the 19th century. The nurseries were most famous for their orchids, although they also introduced several famous plants from other families, such as Nepenthes Rajah and Nepenthes Northiana. The pitcher plant species Nepenthes Veitchii is named in honour of the Veitch dynasty.
Sir Harry Veitch - the Knight of the Veitches
Sir Harry J Veitch (24 June 1840 - 6 July 1924) bequeathed the entire collection of arts and ethnography belonging to him and his wife to Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) in Exeter. He was born in Exeter and educated at the Exeter Grammar School. He was knighted by King George V in 1912 for his leading role in promoting the first Chelsea Flower Show in 1906 as well as his contribution to horticulture. It was the first time a horticulturist had been given a knighthood. He closed the Chelsea Branch of Veitch & Sons in 1914 as he could not find a suitable successor.
Do you recognise any plants in your garden, which may be introduced originally from the Veitch family? Have you been to the Chelsea Flower Show to explore the breathtaking flowers? Why not write a few lines or add some photos to share your experience with us?
Reference: Ken Beer & Joyce Jones The Veitch Family J. Jones, 34 Crockwells Close, Exminster, EX6 8DL
Other pages of Veitch interest: Veitch Tree Felled, Japanese Gifts From the Veitch Family, The Veitch Nursery Tree, Pots, Combs and Butterflies