Plant Journeys blog post #12 – Plant collecting and Yokohama Nursery

The visual representation of plants from China and Japan first made its way to Europe through images on porcelain and wallpaper. The pioneering figure in successfully transporting these plants back to Europe was Scottish Dr James Cuninghame (circa 1665–1709), who spent time in Xiamen, Fujian Province, towards the end of the 17th century. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that these plants began to flourish in larger quantities in British gardens. The influx of these exotic species was largely due to plant-collecting expeditions organised by botanical gardens, such as the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, along with major nursery companies.

A significant advancement in the early 19th century was the invention of the Wardian Case, which allowed for the safe transport of live plants across oceans. Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward (1791–1868), a doctor and amateur naturalist, discovered in 1829 that plants could thrive in glass containers without needing water for extended periods. This innovation was vital for the lengthy sea journeys from China and Japan.

Hornel’s collection features beautifully illustrated plant catalogues from the renowned Yokohama Nursery, which specialises in tree peonies, irises, and lilies, serving Japanese and international customers. The nursery also expanded its reach with branches outside Japan, including locations in North America and near London, England. While we initially thought these catalogues were souvenirs from Japan, that might not be entirely accurate. The Lilies of Japan booklet was published in 1907, coinciding with the opening of the London branch, and the Tree Peonies catalogue followed in 1914. These older catalogues may not have been available in Yokohama during Hornel’s second visit to Japan in 1920–21, suggesting they might have been ordered earlier through the English branch instead.