The Tradescants

Spiderwort in the perennial border. Perhaps Wandering Willy decorating the house. Both are botanically Tradescantia, commemorating the John Tradescants, father and son, plant collectors, botanists and gardeners to British Stuart royalty. Between them, they introduced dozens of new plants into cultivation, many which remain popular to this day. The Tradescants were probably of Dutch origin, perhaps settling in Suffolk. It was there it is believed that John Tradescant the Elder was born in 1570. His first few decades remain a mystery. Somehow, somewhere, he was educated, trained as a gardener although, strangely, born with no sense of smell, and achieved professional standing.