Ernest Henry Wilson noted botanist who trained at Edgbaston’s Birmingham Botanical Gardens in the 1890’s
Learn more about renowned botanist world traveller Ernest Wilson, trained at Edgbaston Botanical Gardens, next Monday evening, at 7.30.pm at Earlswood Village Hall, Valley Rd, Earlswood, Solihull B94 6BZ
Ann Turner will give a lively account of her extensive research into the life of plant collector Ernest Wilson, who lived in Shirley and was educated at Birmingham Municipal Technical School (now Aston University).
Her search began when she wondered Dove Tree Court retirement apartments in Shirley got its name. Ernest Wilson who was sent to China to track down the rare Dove Tree, sometimes known as the Handkerchief Tree (below).
It took two years for Wilson to find one, and that was hanging over a cliff edge. When he was returning to England, with his specimens his boat was wrecked, but he managed to save this precious plant.
Finding that no-one she knew locally had heard of this remarkable man, she and…
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Keith Bracey the Brummie Bard Birmingham & Black Country poet & writer 