James Veitch Junior (1815–1869)
Third in a long line of plantsmen celebrated for their exotic collections.
Long line of Plantsmen
It’s fitting that James is buried at Brompton, as his Chelsea nursery provided the plants for the new cemetery in 1840. The Veitch family sent plant hunters around the world to bring back new species for their nurseries, including over 200 types of orchid.
Veitch family
James worked with his father and grandfather at the renowned Veitch Nurseries in Devon, learning his craft. He was made a partner in the business in his early twenties, and helped expand the business. However, the Exeter firm could not easily compete with the great London nurseries, so James opened his own branch of the business in the city. The Royal Exotic Nursery, later James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, specialised in unusual plants from around the world. It had an international reputation and was very successful.
James’s second son Harry worked with him, and carried on the business after James’s death. He too was an astute businessman as well as a talented plantsman. Harry is best remembered for suggesting holding the first Spring 'Chelsea Flower Show' at the Royal Hospital in May 1913, following a very successful one-off Royal International Horticultural Exhibition there the previous year. The hugely popular Chelsea Flower Show has been at the Hospital ever since.
Further information:
Wikipedia James Veitch Junior
Wikipedia Veitch Nurseries
Royal Horticultural Society