Our Sixtieth 
Anniversary Story 
Sixty years ago my grandfather, 
Edward Gillett, founded a Fern and 
Flower Farm at Southwick, Massachu¬ 
setts. Previous to 1878 that particular 
phase of American flora had not been • 
championed. Thus he pioneered the 
culture of Native Ferns and Wild Flow¬ 
ers and gradually established the fore¬ 
most Fern and Wild Flower Nursery in 
America. 
EDWARD GTLLETT ^ , , , , , ^ , 
1849-1931 In the early days the founder did 
practically all the collecting of ferns and 
wild flowers himself. As the years rolled by he gradually confined 
himself to growing some from seeds and letting others do the collecting. 
Plants were brought in by collectors from all sections of the country, 
and those that became readily acclimated became part of the stock of 
this nursery. He was really the pioneer in developing an interest in 
native plants, and like all pioneering, it proved hard work. But "keep¬ 
ing everlastingly at it" found its reward in due time. 
About 1900 the founder, during a trip to the South, became impressed 
with the beauty and possible value to the North of native Azaleas and 
Rhododendrons. He shipped some for experimental purposes and 
found them perfectly hardy and easily adaptable to northern condi¬ 
tions. That marked the beginning of dealing in this type of native 
shrub material, all previous efforts having practically been confined 
to Ferns and native Wild Flowers. 
When my‘‘father, Kenneth E. Gillett, assumed the management of 
the business in 1926 the nursery included nearly fifty acres of 
Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Mountain Laurel. Although my grand¬ 
father was not burdened with the actual management of the business 
he retained his keen interest therein until his death in May 1931. 
The Broadleaved Evergreens were much loved by my father so he 
expanded the nursery until at the present time it contains more than 
one hundred acres of nursery grown material. To the trade he was 
widely known as the "Rhododendron King". When death claimed him 
