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The snakeshead fritillary was brought to England from France in the 1570s, and as botanical historian Mark Griffiths says: "It was a sensational horticultural novelty, people were very excited. It was as hot as an equatorial orchid would have been to the Victorian sensibility."
Some encouraging news. The 19th c French strawberry Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury was a favourite of East Midlands head gardeners and I presumed it was lost. But @stewartwaine has it and says it is still available on the Continent. Stewart also confirms it is a delectable variety.