Ananus comosus

The Tradescants were 17th century gardeners who introduced many new plants to England. More than 160 varieties of fruit were listed amongst the inventory of plants grown at the Tradescants nursery in Lambeth, many of which are illustrated in the Orchard. The Garden Museum invited 40 of the worlds leading botanical artists to paint watercolours of fruit in response to the Orchard.

Lambeth Bridge is known for the pairs of obelisks at either end which are mounted with finials of gilded pine cones cupped with acanthus leaves. However, artist Lesley Ann Sandbach prefers the popular urban myth that these are pineapples as a tribute to John Tradescant the Younger growing the first pineapple in Britain (although this is credited to royal gardener at St James's Park, John Rose). The specimen that Lesley Ann painted came from the Queen Mary II Exoticks Collection at Hampton Court Palace, a National Heritage Plant Collection of specimens that were imported to England during the 17th century.