Lindley Late - Horticultural Heroes: Spotlight on Miss Ellen Willmott

This International Women's Day we are celebrating Miss Ellen Willmott (1858-1934), who dedicated her life to plants and gardens, to become one of Britain's eminent horticulturalists.

Join the RHS Lindley Library and biographer Sandra Lawrence as we explore the accomplishments, character and controversies of Miss Ellen Willmott.

In this conversation we will discover the story of Ellen's life and her legacy as a pioneering woman gardener, which Sandra has uncovered with the help of the Miss Willmott's archive.

Plus, we'll unravel some of the mythology surrounding her, like did Ellen really booby trap her daffodil bulbs and carry a pistol in her handbag?

We will also take a look at some of the Lindley Library's unique collections around Ellen Willmott, including a very special edition of Ellen's book Genus Rosa.

There will be plenty of time to ask questions, plus join us for a drinks reception after the conversation where you can explore the RHS Lindley Library's collection and purchase a signed copy of Sandra's biography .

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Speaker

Sandra Lawrence - Sandra is back at the RHS Lindley Library following a sold out talk in 2024 - Fungus and Folklore. She is a journalist and author of multiple books including the biography of Ellen Willmott,

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Event Details

Doors open at 6.00pm, with the conversation beginning at 6.30pm.

Tickets for this event are required, with the ticket cost supporting the RHS Lindley Library. Some tickets will be available on the door. RHS membership not required.

To keep the event as accessible as possible you can choose a full price ticket (£8) or you can make a donation of an amount affordable to you with our Pay What You Can tickets.

Make sure to check out our lunchtime show and tells, Lindley Live, and our evening event programme, Lindley Late, as we take an unexpected perspective on horticulture with a unique selection of talks, workshops and conversations.

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Contact

For any questions, including accessibility enquiries, please email [email protected]

Discover more about the RHS Lindley Library via our website, social media and new Digital Collections.

The image in the banner is a portrait of Miss Ellen Willmott, dated 1931. Take a sneak peak of Miss Willmott within our collections on the RHS Digital Collections.

Host or Publisher RHS Lindley Library