STIGA Celebrates Women’s History Month

Ellen Willmott (1858 – 1934) was a visionary in the field of horticulture, famous for her extensive botanical knowledge and passion for gardens, not least the three she called her own, at Warley Place, Essex, Tresserve in the French Alps and Villa Boccanegra on the Italian Riviera. A trailblazer in the male-dominated world of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, she won hundreds of prizes for her plants but beyond that, she played a quiet role in many famous projects we are only beginning to recognise today. Few know about her arranging the acquisition of Wisley for the RHS or designing the garden at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Stratford upon Avon, for example, and we are only just learning about her role in the foundation of the Women’s Land Army or ensuring the gardens at Hampton Court Palace were preserved after the Great War. But we do know that she owned one of the first ATCO motor mowers, ATCO is still active today and operates under the STIGA Group.

Sandra Lawrence, a journalist who has written for many newspapers, magazines and websites, has written a biography about this amazing woman.  ‘Miss Willmott’s Ghosts,’ published by Blink, delves deeper into Ellen’s life, from pogo sticks to a bit of argy-bargy at the Chelsea Flower Show.

“Ellen Willmott’s dedication and innovation reflect the same commitment to excellence that we uphold at STIGA,” said Amanda Kincaid, Marketing Manager at STIGA UK. “Her impact on horticulture mirrors our mission to provide high-quality gardening tools that empower people to cultivate beautiful and thriving gardens.”

To read more about the book ‘Miss Willmott’s Ghosts’ go to misswillmottsghosts.com/

For more information on STIGA and its products go to www.stiga.com/uk/