In November of 2012, Derbyshire Council unveiled a plaque in honour of a certain William Barron, for his contributions to landscape gardening in Derbyshire and the UK as a whole. Barron however, is an unknown to many people, including some of those within the British landscape garden industry. Here we will look at some of Barron's key contributions to the UK's garden design heritage.
The blue plaque, inspired by those erected in London to commemorate famous people, was placed on Barron's home in Borrowash, but his best known work was several miles away in the gardens of Elvaston Castle, which he was responsible for creating. As Andrew Lewer, Leader of Derbyshire Council said before the unveiling of the plaque, "Using revolutionary techniques and creative flair, Barron transformed a flat, marshy wasteland into a magnificent country park that is deserving of its grade two listed status.
Much of Barron's original landscape garden design remains intact at Elvaston Castle, which feature ground breaking use of precision sheered hedges to create a visually exciting garden space. Swirling hedges make for a unique look that would look audacious next to many gardens of the time. His success in pushing the boundaries of garden design is what made him such an important gardener.
Barron's gardening career began in Scotland, the country of his birth, with a three year apprenticeship in Berwickshire, Scotland. This period was followed by a role in charge of glasshouses at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. From here went to Syon House, Middlesex, where he helped plant a new conservatory.
Charles Stanhope, the 4th Earl of Harrington, appointed Barron as gardener to Elvaston Castle in 1830, and instructed him to create a new garden. It was soon after taking up this job that he married Elizabeth Ashby.
Following his success at Elvaston, Barron moved to Borrowash where he set up a business selling plants and offering landscaping services. He continued this business up until his passing away on the 8th of April, 1891. This family company flourished until it hit hardship between the world wars, but not without contributing greatly to the local economy – and gardens.
Recipients of the blue plaque in Derbyshire are selected by public vote, and Barron's accolade is the most recent of several for Derbyshire greats in recent times. Among other famed Derbyshire persons are Rolls-Royce's founder Sir Henry Royce and Chatsworth's globally known former head gardener, Sir Joseph Paxton.
The blue plaque, inspired by those erected in London to commemorate famous people, was placed on Barron's home in Borrowash, but his best known work was several miles away in the gardens of Elvaston Castle, which he was responsible for creating. As Andrew Lewer, Leader of Derbyshire Council said before the unveiling of the plaque, "Using revolutionary techniques and creative flair, Barron transformed a flat, marshy wasteland into a magnificent country park that is deserving of its grade two listed status.
Much of Barron's original landscape garden design remains intact at Elvaston Castle, which feature ground breaking use of precision sheered hedges to create a visually exciting garden space. Swirling hedges make for a unique look that would look audacious next to many gardens of the time. His success in pushing the boundaries of garden design is what made him such an important gardener.
Barron's gardening career began in Scotland, the country of his birth, with a three year apprenticeship in Berwickshire, Scotland. This period was followed by a role in charge of glasshouses at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. From here went to Syon House, Middlesex, where he helped plant a new conservatory.
Charles Stanhope, the 4th Earl of Harrington, appointed Barron as gardener to Elvaston Castle in 1830, and instructed him to create a new garden. It was soon after taking up this job that he married Elizabeth Ashby.
Following his success at Elvaston, Barron moved to Borrowash where he set up a business selling plants and offering landscaping services. He continued this business up until his passing away on the 8th of April, 1891. This family company flourished until it hit hardship between the world wars, but not without contributing greatly to the local economy – and gardens.
Recipients of the blue plaque in Derbyshire are selected by public vote, and Barron's accolade is the most recent of several for Derbyshire greats in recent times. Among other famed Derbyshire persons are Rolls-Royce's founder Sir Henry Royce and Chatsworth's globally known former head gardener, Sir Joseph Paxton.
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