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…
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.…