Garden research 
Every garden has a story to tell...
and our parks are recognised worldwide as an art form. The AGT assists County Gardens Trusts to hold special research & recording days, lectures and workshops in different parts of the country to share the special stories with a much wider audience
Help wanted: Veitch nursery catalogues Toby Musgrave is trying to find original copies of 19th and 20th century nursery catalogues from the Veitch nurseries: James Veitch & Son in London and Robert Veitch & Son in Exeter, as well as any family / business papers that have survived. To get in touch or find out more, visit www.tobymusgrave.com
Congratulations to Cheshire Gardens
Trust, for winning RHS Silver Medal at RHS Tatton Park
Show at their first attempt at a show garden “Time and Tide -
Caldwell’s and Canute” to raise awareness of the Caldwell’s
Nurseries Research Project. The garden team was led by Tina Theis (admin), Jacquetta Menzies (design), Christine Wilcox-Baker (sculpture) and Ruth Brown (horticulturalist).>More
London Parks and Gardens Trust launch new website:
London Gardens Online www.londongardensonline.org.uk
was officially launched 8 May 2012> More
EH’s National Monuments Record online archive goes live From now on the public will have online access to more than a million historical photographs and documents relating to England’s historic buildings and archaeological sites, held by the National Monuments Record (NMR), English Heritage’s public archive.
The material – images, plans, drawings, reports and publications covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history – is held on a database at www.englishheritagearchives.org.uk . Registration is free, but users will be charged for the documents they order (price varies). Alternatively, users can contact Enquiry and Research Service on 01793 414 600 or email nmrinfo@english-heritage.org.uk to place an order or ask for help if they cannot find what they are looking for.
The Local Apple Register and The Pear Register Natural England, The National Trust, South Lakeland Orchard Group and The Northern Fruit Group are spearheading a project to create The Local Apple Register and The Pear Register.
> See more
Article on Sir Cedric Morris by Sarah Cook from the Essex Gardens Trust Newsletter. Sir Cedric Morris’s legacy to future generations is not only his influence as an artist. His pictures are highly acclaimed, probably the best known being Iris Seedlings, in the Tate Britain. He was also a plantsman, plant collector and gardener, but, for me, the tall bearded irises he bred are his most fascinating horticultural legacy. > More
Parks and Gardens UK www.parksandgardens.ac.uk - a treasure trove of garden knowledge
Parks & Gardens UK is a database being developed to share information online about the history and design of gardens and parks. It is supported by York University, the Association of Gardens Trusts and county gardens trusts volunteers. Parks & Gardens UK latest news from Rachel Stamper, Project Manager. More details
New books
The Picturesque and the Later Georgian Garden, Michael Symes's latest book, is published by Redcliffe £18.50
Coming soon - Anne Wilkinson's new biography: Shirley Hibberd, The Father of Amateur Gardening -press release
Sir Joseph Banks, Rooted in Lincolnshire, an inspirational and informative trail guide by historian Jean Shaftoe-Burton now on sale at the Sir Joseph Banks Centre, Horncastle, Lincolnshire
or purchase on-line www.joseph-banks.org.uk
>Rock Landscapes New Research by Claude Hitching on James Pulham & Son
The Hertfordshire Record Society Volume XXVII [for 2011/12]
Humphry Repton’s Red Books for Panshanger & Tewin Water with an Introduction by Twigs Way
> Mr Hamilton's Elysium - The Gardens of Painshill (PDF, 1.65Mb) - Garden historian Michael Symes shares research that underpinned the restoration of this unique and inspirational eighteenth century landscape in a beautifully illustrated publication.
> A Veritable Eden by Ann Brooks
Ann completed her Ph.D from Manchester University, the subject of which was The Manchester Botanic Garden, now no longer extant. Her report has now been published by Oxbow Books.
> The Living Landscape (PDF) - Animals in the Parks and Gardens of Essex. Edited by Dr Twigs Way
> Hertfordshire Garden History: A Miscellany. Edited by Anne Rowe
> The Follies of Europe by Caroline Holmes (PDF), with photographs by Nic Barlow. A new illustrated publication.
> With Abundance and Variety (PDF). New research on Yorkshire parks and gardens edited by Susan Kellerman
More publications and information
'Parks and Gardens' -a revised and updated 3rd Edition by David Lambert, Peter Goodchild and Judith Roberts, has been published in association with English Heritage. More details
Rivers Nursery - This account of one of the most important of the Fruit Tree Nurseries of the 19th century.
> Read a review
Useful contacts
The Association of Gardens Trusts Research and Recording Co-ordinator is Joanna Mathews. Email Joanna on secretary@ogt.org.uk
AGT Study Day organiser: Position currently vacant
> Historic Landscapes project - Conservation through Partnership
