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Botanist's Lost Garden Reimagined at Cambridge
18 Jun
Summary
- Historic garden recreated at Cambridge college after 336 years.
- The garden is located near the apple tree that inspired Isaac Newton.
- It aimed to grow 700 plant types, including rare bog and poisonous species.
Gardeners at Trinity College, Cambridge, have recreated the first known garden of 17th-century botanist John Ray, who coined the terms 'petal' and 'pollen.' Planted in the 1650s when Ray was a Cambridge tutor, this historic garden has been reimagined on its original site. It is situated near a descendant of the apple tree that inspired Sir Isaac Newton, another Trinity alumnus.
Ray's original garden reportedly featured around 700 plant types, including fenland lichens and poisonous species. The new cultivation focuses on drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly plants, aiming to boost biodiversity and climate resilience. This project commemorates the 400th anniversary of Ray's birth next year and offers a tangible connection to a pivotal figure in natural history.
Research for the garden drew from a 1690 engraving and Ray's 1660 text, 'Catalogue of Plants Growing Around Cambridge.' The site itself is scientifically significant, as 2005 soil tests revealed it may have hosted Newton's chemical experiments. This unique intersection of botanical and scientific history makes the garden a noteworthy historical and ecological endeavor.
