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Alfred Ernest Lowe (1851 - 1924)
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TitleAlfred Ernest Lowe (1851 - 1924)
Alternative NameA. E. LoweDescriptionAlfred Ernest Lowe was the head gardener at Otahuna Lodge from 1895. He trained at Kew Gardens, worked in Timaru in the gardens of Mr. H. J. Le Cren, and was a specialist in narcissi hybridisation. He was responsible for the planting the daffodil drifts at Otahuna, where he supervised a team of 6 full-time gardeners. (source: Geoffrey W. Rice, Heaton Rhodes of Otahuna, 2001). In the early days of Otahuna, Heaton and Jessie Rhodes helped Lowe pollinate the daffodils by hand.
In September 1910 he and Rhodes transported a magnificent array of narcissi blooms from Otahuna to display at the Dunedin Horticultural Society Narcissi Show, containing the colours of the rainbow: the Otago Witness reported that it also contained Japanese cherry, boronia, pyus and spiraea.
According to the 'Daffodil Year Book, 1914' Lowe was noted as being a modest man. He was the Honorary Secretary of Narcissus Committee of the Canterbury Horticultural Society from its inception in 1908. 'He [was] a much sought-after judge... full of practical and historical knowledge... His name will always find a place among the Daffodil Fathers of Ao-Tea-Roa along with those of Wilson, Thomas, Rhodes, Hart, Mason, Davies, Millar, Budden and Biggs.'
Lowe planted the Dutch Garden at Otahuna in 1903, and managed the annual sale of Otahuna daffodil bulbs to the public. Lowe died at Otahuna in 1924, and in 1930, Heaton Rhodes built the Tai Tapu Library in his memory, using the funds Lowe had raised, as a mark of respect. (source: Miles Refo, For the Love of a Place, 2015). The Library was opened on the 12th August 1932 by Lord Bledisloe. Rhodes noted in his opening address that "I owe it to the genius of Mr. Lowe that this library can be opened, and his name will be perpetuated in its walls". This portait of Lowe hangs within the Library, along with those of Heaton and his wife Jessie, Lady Rhodes.
Lowe's son Ernest was killed in action in France on 13 May 1916.First NameAlfredMiddle NameErnestLast NameLowePlace of DeathOtahuna, Tai Tapu
Alternative NameA. E. LoweDescriptionAlfred Ernest Lowe was the head gardener at Otahuna Lodge from 1895. He trained at Kew Gardens, worked in Timaru in the gardens of Mr. H. J. Le Cren, and was a specialist in narcissi hybridisation. He was responsible for the planting the daffodil drifts at Otahuna, where he supervised a team of 6 full-time gardeners. (source: Geoffrey W. Rice, Heaton Rhodes of Otahuna, 2001). In the early days of Otahuna, Heaton and Jessie Rhodes helped Lowe pollinate the daffodils by hand.In September 1910 he and Rhodes transported a magnificent array of narcissi blooms from Otahuna to display at the Dunedin Horticultural Society Narcissi Show, containing the colours of the rainbow: the Otago Witness reported that it also contained Japanese cherry, boronia, pyus and spiraea.
According to the 'Daffodil Year Book, 1914' Lowe was noted as being a modest man. He was the Honorary Secretary of Narcissus Committee of the Canterbury Horticultural Society from its inception in 1908. 'He [was] a much sought-after judge... full of practical and historical knowledge... His name will always find a place among the Daffodil Fathers of Ao-Tea-Roa along with those of Wilson, Thomas, Rhodes, Hart, Mason, Davies, Millar, Budden and Biggs.'
Lowe planted the Dutch Garden at Otahuna in 1903, and managed the annual sale of Otahuna daffodil bulbs to the public. Lowe died at Otahuna in 1924, and in 1930, Heaton Rhodes built the Tai Tapu Library in his memory, using the funds Lowe had raised, as a mark of respect. (source: Miles Refo, For the Love of a Place, 2015). The Library was opened on the 12th August 1932 by Lord Bledisloe. Rhodes noted in his opening address that "I owe it to the genius of Mr. Lowe that this library can be opened, and his name will be perpetuated in its walls". This portait of Lowe hangs within the Library, along with those of Heaton and his wife Jessie, Lady Rhodes.
Lowe's son Ernest was killed in action in France on 13 May 1916.
First NameAlfredMiddle NameErnestLast NameLowePlace of DeathOtahuna, Tai TapuConnections
PersonCaptain Robert Heaton RhodesJessie Cooper Rhodes (Lady Rhodes)Corporal Ernest George Strong LoweOrganisationOtahuna LodgeMore InformationThe Cult of the Daffodil - September 1919A new Bi-Colour Daffodil, September 1915Presntation to A. E. Lowe, May 1896A. E. Lowe's son killed in action, May 1916A. E. Lowe displays narcissi from Otahuna and judges the narcissi at the Dunedin Horticultural Society Spring Show, 28 and 29 September 191013 October 1932 Heaton Rhodes remembers the genius of A. E. Lowe in his speech at the opening of the Tai Tapu Library
Jessie Cooper Rhodes (Lady Rhodes)Corporal Ernest George Strong LoweOrganisationOtahuna LodgeMore InformationThe Cult of the Daffodil - September 1919A new Bi-Colour Daffodil, September 1915Presntation to A. E. Lowe, May 1896A. E. Lowe's son killed in action, May 1916A. E. Lowe displays narcissi from Otahuna and judges the narcissi at the Dunedin Horticultural Society Spring Show, 28 and 29 September 191013 October 1932 Heaton Rhodes remembers the genius of A. E. Lowe in his speech at the opening of the Tai Tapu LibraryAttribution
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Alfred Ernest Lowe (1851 - 1924). Selwyn Stories, accessed 19/08/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5228