Today I was saddened to
hear that Michael Wickenden, plantsman, explorer and owner of Cally
Gardens in Scotland, has passed away.
Although I've never met
Michael in person the Cally Gardens catalogue has been a highlight of
my gardening year for some time now; every autumn (then latterly
spring) the catalogue stuffed with rare and interesting plants from
around the world dropped through my letter box, and was always the
first piece of post to be opened. The biggest challenge with the
Cally Catalogue has always been whittling down the desirable list to
things I can afford and grow...!
 | |||
| Impatiens rothii- huge tuber from Cally! |
From what I've heard so
far, Michael died doing what he loved, travelling, exploring and
collecting seed of interesting new plants to introduce to his
nursery. At this point I gather that there is an intention to
continue the nursery at Cally Gardens, a fitting tribute to the work
of a real plantsman.
(Unfortunately I can't find my picture of Rheum 'Cally Giant', a whopper of a species. Well worth looking for online, and if you're into big leaves you'll need to grow it!)
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