John Bartram Changed the English & European Landscape Forever
In 1748, John Bartram sent a five-guinea box of seeds to Charles Hamilton, a wealthy English nobleman who shared an
interest in the 18th century craze for exotic New World plants. In this manner, Bartram, America’s
first native-born plant collector, botanist, and naturalist, introduced more than 200 species of plant materials that forever
changed the English and European landscape.
This transatlantic horticultural exchange was celebrated in Summer 2005 with a major garden exhibit at
the Hamilton landscapes of Painshill Park in Cobham, Surrey, southwest of London. "American Roots" can be found in the Walled Garden at Painshill Park, the 160-acre "pleasure garden" of the Hon. Charles Hamilton. The horticultural display includes plants sourced from John Bartram's
original collecting, including Wisteris frutescens, American Wisteria, and Juniperus virginiana, Eastern Red Cedar.
The John Bartram Association was pleased to collaborate with Painshill Park, Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum, the
Chelsea Physic Garden, Monticello, and the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, on this project. Such collaborations are
made possible with the generous support of our donors and members. Particular thanks go to the Willowwood Foundation for supporting research, and to the Haas family for making it possible for four Bartram representatives to attend the exhibit's opening,
including Executive Director Bill LeFevre, then-Education Director Christy Schneider, Head Gardener Todd Greenberg, and Assistant
Gardener Nancy Wygant. Additional operating support from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission completed
funding for the Association's participation.
