Gardenvisit.com The Garden Guide

Derby Arboretum 

‘Mr Loudon wrote the instructions for Gardenesque care of the Arboretum: the curator will occupy the north lodge and labourers will occupy the two cottages; on no account whatever is the knife to be applied to any of the trees or shrubs, except to remove dead wood.’ This is a quote from The Claudians: gardens, landscapes, reason and faith: John Claudius Loudon and Claudius Buchanan, Tom Turner (Kindle, 2024). 

See Gardenvisit.com information on the Derby Arboretum.

Discover the Historical Significance of Derby Arboretum and Its Design

 In 1839 Joseph Strutt commissioned John Claudius Loudon to design a park on land he owned near his home in Derby. It was opened to the public in September 1840, to wild enthusiasm from the city's residents. From 1840 to 1882 an entry fee was charged, except on Sundays and Wednesdays, to fund the park's maintenance. 

The term ‘arboretum’ refers to a botanical garden or a part of a garden where trees and shrubs are grown and studied. John Claudius Loudon coined the term from Latin roots: arbor, means ‘tree’. The suffix -etum indicates a place or collection associated with the root word. So an ‘arboretum’ is a place where trees are grown. 

Today, the term ‘arboretum’ is widely used to describe collections of trees maintained for educational, scientific, and ornamental purposes. Notable examples include the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University and the Morton Arboretum in Illinois, USA.

The Role of John Claudius Loudon in Shaping Derby Arboretum

John Claudius Loudon's design of Derby Arboretum in 1839 marked a significant contribution to botanical gardens in the UK. Commissioned by Joseph Strutt, Loudon's design was revolutionary for its time, introducing the concept of 'Gardenesque' gardening to the public. The arboretum, which opened in 1840, was one of the earliest examples of an arboretum in Britain, reflecting Loudon's vision of a place where trees and shrubs could be grown and studied in an organised manner. The term 'arboretum' itself, coined by Loudon, comes from the Latin 'arbor', meaning 'tree', combined with the suffix '-etum', indicating a place associated with trees. This innovative design not only enhanced public enjoyment of botanical collections but also set a standard for future arboretums and botanical gardens worldwide. The Derby Arboretum remains a testament to Loudon's influence and dedication to botanical education and landscape design.

See also: Gardenvisit.com appreciation of John Claudius Loudon.