Prunus dulcis

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.

Sarah originally qualified as a landscape architect with a broad knowledge of plants. After studying botanical illustration with Anne-Marie Evans she began to work on calfskin vellum and now paints exclusively on this medium. The almond was introduced to Britain around 1350. Grown for its sweet and oily nuts, it would have been well known to the Tradescants. John Parkinson, a contemporary and friend of John Tradescant, lists it in his Theatrum Botanicum. This almond study was taken from the only almond tree growing at the Chelsea Physic Garden, although the tree has since had to be felled.