Josephine’s palm tree takes to the road. The Illustrated London News 5 August 1854.
GEORGE LODDIGES, BORN 1786
A REMARKABLE VICTORIAN NURSERYMAN
George Loddiges was a highly successful 19th century horticulturalist and entrepreneur. He greatly expanded the nursery in Hackney, east London, which was started by his father Conrad. Loddiges built up an extraordinary network of naturalists, all over the world, who would send him rare seeds and plants. He would sell these throughout the UK and across Europe. Many of his customers were the owners of great estates who wished to grow unusual trees in their parks, and exotic plants, such as orchids, in their greenhouses. At his nursery Loddiges built substantial greenhouses, inspired by the Crystal Palace, which could accommodate full sized trees.