In 1681 George London established a new and
large nursery firm which competed with small
nurserymen and those who imported plants, particularly
"greens" from Holland.
He was of "humble origin," a term commonly used in
England for those not of an aristocratic background.
He worked at first with John Rose (1629-1677), the
royal gardener. His great capacity to work with plants
was soon realized and he was sent to France to study
its horticultural developments. Somewhat later, after
he had returned to England, he himself became
superintendent of the royal gardens. He continued the
nursery business at the same time with several
partners including Henry Wise (1653-1738). From 1689
this nursery became very famous and was known as the
London and Wise establishment and greatly influenced
landscaping during their long period.
London traveled extensively, interviewed clients
and proposed landscape plants. He had an excellent
knowledge of Dutch and French gardening. He was a real
botanist as well as an excellent horticulturist.
London died in 1713.
