The History of the Flowerpot

An exhibit at the College of the Atlantic's Ethel H. Blum gallery presents the history of the flowerpot. Flowerpots made it possible to transport plants to new locations, provided a controlled environment for starting seeds and allowed tender plants to be grown indoors in northern areas. Although its history is associated with the development of horticulture, studies of the flowerpot have rarely been done.

The exhibit traces the development of the flowerpot from its early use by Egyptians through the many forms developed to meet the horticultural needs of gardeners. The exhibit will move to various locations over the next three years. The curator hopes to add regional flowerpot examples to the display as it travels. A tentative schedule puts the exhibit in Seagrove, N.C., Stonington, Conn. and the US Botanical Garden in Washington, D.C.

Links:

• In praise of the flowerpot in the Christian Science Monitor


• A Place to Take Root: The History of Flower Pots and Garden Containers in America another perspective on the exhibit from Absolute Arts

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 4:51 PM on September 7, 2004

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