Harper & Debbage are proud to support National Plant Health Week 2026, an annual UK‑wide week of action designed to raise public awareness of how we can all help keep plants healthy. The campaign brings together more than 30 organisations across government, research, conservation and horticulture, all committed to protecting…
A community weekend of remembrance and discovery. A Weekend rooted in Community and Heritage The James Lye 120 Anniversary Weekend, held over Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April 2026, brought together residents, visitors and gardeners to honour James Lye (1830–1906), Market Lavington’s celebrated Victorian fuchsia hybridist and head gardener at…
Honouring James Lye: 120 Years On About the James Lye 120 Weekend Market Lavington is hosting a special 120th‑anniversary weekend on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 April 2026, marking 120 years since the death of James Lye (1830–1906), the renowned Victorian fuchsia hybridist, head gardener at Clyffe Hall and one…
James Lye: 120 Years Since His Death Marking the 120th anniversary of the death of James Lye, one of Wiltshire’s most accomplished Victorian horticulturalists and a figure whose influence continues to resonate deeply within the world of fuchsias and beyond. Born in Market Lavington and rooted throughout his life in…
The People Behind the Fuchsias: James Lye’s Named Cultivars Introduction Between 1869 and 1901 James Lye, Gardener at Clyffe Hall, Market Lavington, introduced over one hundred fuchsia cultivars. Many were named after real people associated to either his family, his employer, patrons, friends or visitors to the gardens where he…
Fuchsias have long brought colour and charm to British gardens. With their elegant pendant blooms and generous flowering season, they’re a favourite in borders, containers, and hanging baskets alike. But a microscopic pest is quietly threatening that legacy: the fuchsia gall mite (Aculops fuchsiae). This isn’t just a specialist concern.…
2026 marks the 120th anniversary of the death of James Lye, a pioneering horticulturist whose dedication to fuchsias has left a lasting legacy in British horticulture. Known for his meticulous cultivation and the creation of numerous named fuchsia varieties, Lye’s work continues to inspire gardeners, breeders and horticultural historians alike.…