Derek B. Fox 1926-2007
As Remembered by Roy Carter
Derek was born in Thorpe Bay, Essex in April 1926 and at an early age showed a keen interest in nature, an interest which was to remain with him all his life. In 1957 Derek and his wife Elizabeth (Betty) purchased a one acre overgrown plot on the edge of Hockley Woods just a few miles from where he was born. Here Derek and Betty created a woodland garden which, over the years came to be enjoyed by their many visitors. Being an acid soil the first choice of plants were those of the ericaceae and he assembled collections of camellia, magnolia and rhododendron species and hybrids which, together with many exotic trees formed the structure which was to become home to many plants of the liliaceae family he grew.
Derek was particularly successful, despite the low Essex rainfall, in growing some of the large leaved rhododendrons such as;
R. eximeum, R. macabeanum, and R. grande. Over the years he made many rhododendron and camellia crosses, the result of one such camellia cross being named ‘Betty Fox’ after his wife.
However, Derek’s main love were his lilies. In the early to mid 60’s he began a hybridizing programme using lily species found growing on the west coast of the United States of America resulting in the creation of the Bullwood Hybrids. His many creations such as; ‘Lake Tulare, ‘Lake Tahoe’ and ‘Coachella’ to name but a few, are still prized and sought after today, although rare in cultivation. Recently members of the RHS Lily Group instigated a conservation project to save these magnificent plants.
Derek was a person much involved at all levels in promoting the growing of lilies, being a former editor of the Lily Year Books and a regular contributor to both them and to those of the North American Lily Society. He also authored the RHS Wisley Handbook on lilies and in 1985 his monograph ‘Growing Lilies’ was published - a work still relevant today and sought after by would be lily growers.
He served for many years on the RHS Lily Group committee and was awarded the Lily Cup; also the Lyttel Cup for his work in connection with the genus. In 2002 he was honoured by the North American Lily Society by being awarded the E.H. Wilson medal. The citation read, ‘In recognition of his lifelong devotion to lilies’.
Derek was a founder member of the NCCPG Essex Group and became its first chairman on its inauguration in 1980, a position he held until his retirement from office in 1992. His guidance and commitment to the Essex Group continued by promoting and supporting the aims of the charity and also by opening his garden through the National Gardens Scheme. He was instrumental in proposing that the Essex Group hold dispersed National Collections of Lilium martagon and its Div11 hybrids and that of Erythronium - a work still in progress.
He travelled widely in Europe, North America, the Baikal region of Central Asia and Nepal. Always where possible, collecting plants or seeds which he generously distributed amongst his friends around the world. Derek had a great love of all plants. He was a great plantsman. Derek will be missed by all who knew him for his generosity in gifts of plants and seed, his willingness to offer help and share his knowledge with others, for his ready smile and great sense of humour, but the legacy of his plant creations will, hopefully, live on.
Roy Carter