Henry Eckford

Henry Eckford (17 May 1823 – 5 December 1905) was a Scots horticulturist and reputedly the most famous breeder of sweet peas, transforming the plant from a minor horticultural subject into the queen of annuals. U.S. horticulturist Liberty Hyde Bailey called him "the prince of specialists". In 1888 he moved to the town of Wem in Shropshire, England. It was in Wem that he perfected the breeding of his Grandiflora sweet peas, which in size of bloom and general performance were a great improvement over previous varieties.

Chronology 1823 - born in Stenhouse, near Edinburgh, Scotland. 1839 - apprenticed in the gardens of Beaufort Castle near Inverness (estate of Lord Lovat). After completing apprenticeship employed consecutively in gardens of New Liston near Edinburgh, Fingask Castle, Perthshire, Penicuik House, and Oxenfoord Castle. and was presented with an illuminated parchment address and silver tea and coffee service subscribed by more than 200 admirers worldwide.