Ellen Ann Willmott FLS VMH was an English horticulturist. She was an influential member of the Royal Horticultural Society, and a recipient of the first Victoria Medal of Honour, awarded to British horticulturists living in the UK by the society, in 1897. Willmott was said to have cultivated more than 100,000 species and cultivars of plants and sponsored expeditions to discover new species. Inherited wealth allowed Willmott to buy large gardens in France and Italy to add to the garden at her home, Warley Place in Essex. More than 60 plants have been named after her or her home, Warley Place.

One of her most ambitious developments was an alpine garden, including a gorge and a rockery, which Ellen's father gave her permission to create on her 21st birthday.

Respected and honoured by her peers, Ellen Ann Willmott; plantswoman, botanist, author and admired gardener, was one of the great personalities of British gardening. Willmott’s thirty acre garden, Warley Place, near Brentwood in Essex was once one of the most beautiful and interesting of English gardens.

The garden had fallen into neglect but has now been restored by an enthusiastic team of volunteers, although not in its original form.

Ellen Willmott was born in 1858 and died in 1875.

Andrew Sankey, Landscaper and garden designer will talk about this fascinating and often misunderstood, remarkable plantwoman.

The meeting will be held at St Laurence’s Church Hall, 91 Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XB

All are welcome, members free, guests £5