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Re: more on UK

Hello, all. I have been following the discussion on prairie plants in English 
gardens and am surprised by the general negative U.S. reaction to  the 
English garden designer's inquiry. 

As a general rule, I understand that introducing foreign species is not good 
for native plants, but in fact, it has been happening for centuries, 
especially between this country and England.  

Virtually as soon as they were discovered, a great number of U.S. prairie 
plants went to England, and elsewhere in Europe. The English were looking for 
everything from new medications to garden ornamentals and this "new" land was 
prime hunting ground. 

Sometimes our prairie plants even became the objects of hybridization 
projects over there. Clarkias are one example; goldenrod another. Plants that 
are invasive were long since let loose, and the need to avoid some ought to 
be well documented for someone wanting to use U.S. prairie plants in British 
gardens today.

A good reference to begin learning more about this fascinating topic might be 
the little English handbook Wild and Garden Plants (1993) by Max Walters, 
part of a British Natural History series. It helps explain the history of the 
botanical/horticultural link between Great Britain and other countries in 
terms a gardener can understand; I found it in the University of Kansas 
science library, so it ought to be easy for anyone on this list to locate. 

Also, for the designer in England, Kew Gardens near London would have many 
documents on early plant explorations in U.S. prairie country. Also, on 
subsequent activities regarding those plants in England as garden 
ornamentals.  Kew has played a pivotal role in plant explorations all over 
the world, with a particular eye to garden possibilities, and those 
explorations really began with our U.S. plants. 

Hope this helps. -- Nancy Smith, Back in Thyme Gardens, Lawrence, Kansas.

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