Henry Harrington

Henry died a few days ago. He was an old friend, a remarkable gardener who had an astonishing knowledge of seeds and getting them to grow and was a leading light in our southern organic garden circles.
I sent this message up to Henry's daughter in Cheviot:

 

Henry was the kind of gardener we all aspired to be – learned, meticulous, generous, skilled and most importantly, successful. It seemed he could grow anything and had most of the plants known to mankind growing in his close-packed garden at Ohai. Bulbs, annuals, perennials, shrubs, vines, trees – whatever could be grown there, was. The special aspect of Henry’s garden and of Henry himself, were the seeds and the year by year collecting, drying, sifting and sorting that he did in order to supply his own garden for the following season and the gardens of who knows how many others as well. Henry taught us how to do those things, he taught our children the wonder of seeds and the tricks they needed to know to save  their own, he gave seeds away to all and sundry, he posted them, hand delivered them, invited people to come and pick them. He advised, admonished, encouraged and entertained us with his deep knowledge and respect for the world of plants and we are very much the richer for it. Henry left us with a legacy that we act upon every day and we are grateful to him.

Robert Guyton

Chairman

South Coast Environment Society