Fragaria virginiana ‘Virginia’

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.

Eileen Malone-Browne is particularly interested in the medicinal qualities of plants, as well as plant history and discovery. She was introduced to the Virginia Strawberry in the form of a jam called Little Scarlet. This strawberry was prized by early plant explorers, who found it on their visits to the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Eileen added this native plant to her garden in Alexandria, Virginia and has enjoyed observing, drawing and painting it over the past three years.