Gardeners at Trinity College, Cambridge, have painstakingly recreated a 17th-century garden originally laid out by John Ray, the pioneering botanist known as the 'father of natural history'. In his youth, Ray used this very spot to develop his groundbreaking plant studies, which included coining terms like 'petal' and 'pollen.'
The recreation draws on clues from a 1690 engraving, carefully positioning the new plot in what's believed to be the exact location used by Ray. This spot sits directly above where Sir Isaac Newton is thought to have conducted chemical experiments – a testament to the scientific significance of this land. Professor Richard Serjeantson notes that it could even be considered the most scientifically significant piece of ground from the 17th century, thanks to its connections to both Ray and Newton's work.
John Ray meticulously documented the plants in his Cambridge garden, insights that informed his landmark 1660 Latin publication, 'Catalogue of Plants Growing Around Cambridge'. This pioneering text revolutionised botany by encouraging systematic field documentation. Head gardener Karen Wells deciphered Ray's Latin references to identify specific plants he grew, noting how he'd collect specimens from across the county to study them in his garden.
While Ray cultivated approximately 700 different plant species – including challenging fenland lichens and poisonous American pokeweed – Wells has focused on drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly varieties. This approach promotes biodiversity and climate resilience, incorporating plants such as wood avens, betony, golden rod, pasqueflower, and white-flowered moth mullein, known to attract bees and butterflies. The inclusion of Good King Henry, a medieval herb, also serves as a nod to King Henry VIII, who founded Trinity College in 1546.
The near-completion of the garden has evoked a sense of time travel for Wells, as the 336-year-old vision from the 1690 engraving came to life. The project not only honours Ray's enduring legacy but also highlights the historical intertwining of scientific discovery within Cambridge's grounds.