Pyrus communis ‘Mooie Neeltje’

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.

Marloes Vreeburg graduated first in Garden and Landscape Design and later in Biology, specialising in plant sciences and landscape ecology. Following her partner to Edinburgh, she came across the botanical art courses given at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and was hooked. After moving back to the Netherlands, she became an active member of the Dutch Society of Botanical Artists. Marloes sought a species of Pyrus communis that was not only ancient (and if possible of Dutch origin), but with fruits that could be kept for some time. Because of the restricted size of the painting, Marloes wanted to choose a species with small fruits. Once she had seen the Mooie Neeltje in bloom and the tree loaded with small, colourful pears, her choice was made.