Otley has its own Phlox

We’ve been putting in some research on the Otley Phlox and Fred M Simpson.  This is the potted history.

Fred M Simpson had a poultry business in the 1930s on the site of Stephen Smiths Garden Centre, Pool Road.  In the 1950s he moved towards plant breeding.  His successes were:

• Otley Korean Cushion Chrysanthemums called “Lucy Simpson”, “Margaret Simpson” and “Grace Simpson” – no longer available.
• A lupin “Otley Yellow” – no longer available.

His best work however was with perennial phlox which Otley in Bloom would like to bring back to the town.  He came up with the Otley Regal series: “Windsor”, “Balmoral” & “Sandringham” are still available at a few nurseries through the country; “Glamis”, “Harewood” and “Holyrood” are no longer available; also “Otley Choice” and “Otley Purple” which are available at a few nurseries. 

If you know anything about the man, or have any of his plants in your garden we would love to hear from you.