Rose (retail) Nursery  

Listing last updated on Wed Aug 2024

Bedfordshire
United Kingdom

[From Modern Roses 10, p. 721:] Laxton Bros. Ltd., Bedford, England.

1952 The Rose Annual, UK.
p133. Round the Nurseries. Laxton Brothers Bedford Ltd.
Thomas Laxton, born in 1830, began plant breeding as a hobby but he soon proved to be a man with a brilliant scientific brain and it was not long before he was in touch with the leading scientists and research workers of his day, through his membership of the Linnean Society and the Royal Horticultural Society...... Two of his sons, William and Edward, equally took up his work and created a pool of new seedling fruit trees so vast that today it has not yet been exhausted. When William died in 1924 Edwards son, another Edward, took his place, and under the guidance the firm of Laxton Bros. rapidly assumed the prominence in the horticultural world which it has today. When Edward Junior, was tragically killed in 1942 his father nobly carried on alone until his grandson‘s were able to assist him, and he died in the saddle at the age of 82 in February 1951. Truly one of the grand old men of horticulture who had received numerous awards for his work, including the M.B.E.before his death. Although predominantly fruit tree raisers, Lexton brothers have always specialised in Roses.....Today the fourth generation has now taken its place in the firm: John Laxton, who is now head of the business, and his brother Richard Paxton.
Photo: J. E. Laxton.