Rae
Selling Berry (Mrs.A.C.U.Berry)
(1881-1976), a founding member of the American Primrose Society
was
a remarkable plantswoman. She was known for her exquisite collection of
primulas and other fine plants, many of them originating from
expeditions of famed British and other planthunters in the early 20th
century. Mrs. Berry bought shares in these expeditions to help finance
the collectors and to obtain seeds from their collections. She also
travelled extensively and was able to see Primula species in their
native habitat. In the early years of the APS primrose shows, her
exhibits
were exceptional. In 1944 Rae
Selling Berry was the first recipient of the APS
Honorary Lifetime Membership award and remained active in the American
Primrose
Society for many years. In a recent article of the quarterly, Anita
Alexander wrote of the historical figures in those
early years of APS. She said that Rae Berry had
not expected that her garden would survive after her death. Thankfully
her friends
and interested horticulturists were resourceful in acquiring her
property and
establishing a public garden there. Tributes on Mrs. Berry are found in
the
quarterlies, Fall 1976 (Vol.34, No.4) and Winter 1977 (Vol.35, No.1).
|
|
All photos on this page
taken by Orval Agee
at Mrs. A.C.U. Berry's garden
P.reidii var.williamsii
Date not known
|
Berry
Botanic Garden is located in
the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area on the former property of Rae
Selling Berry. Her garden was saved from development in 1978 . It is
now
geared for conservation, education and promoting the local native
flora. There are not as many primroses today as were during Mrs.
Berry's life. Many
rare ones that Mrs. Berry grew are gone;
however, there are some successful attempts by the Berry Botanic Garden
staff to grow just a few. Candelabras and alpine primroses in plunge
beds can be seen and appreciated. The botanic garden is open to
public by appointment.
(Check resources)
|
|
P. sherrifae, Date not known
|
Primula
cusickiana var. cusickiana was one of the difficult and unusual
primulas Mrs. Berry was interested in (she affectionately dubbed it
"Cookie"). Primula cusickiana and all its subspecies are native of
Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Nevada as subalpine and even alpine plants.
They have a short growing season. The flowers are a beautiful shade of
deep violet with yellow eye. They are known to have a hint of violet
scent. A fine reference can be found in an excellent botanical book by
John Richards: 'Primula'. (The book can be ordered from our bookstore here). Pam Eveleigh's website, primulaworld.com, has several beautiful photos of these primulas in their native habit. (Check resources). For further readings, refer to the quarterlies, April 1951, April 1953 and Fall 1956. Mrs. Berry's article on
this primula appeared in January 1950. (Check our Qbackissue store here)
|
|
P.tyrolensis, May 1956
|
P.sessile, March 1956
|
P. rosea, April 1959
|
P.florindae, 1963
|
|
P.watti, March 1958
|
