"The sentiment, which has prompted such generosity, has equally
appealed to many possessors of more modern gardens; while the
authorities of Kew Gardens, regarding the scheme as one of national
concern, have cordially aided the Trustees both with counsel and with
contributions.
"Last, but by no means least, are the many small gifts from quite small
gardens, even of cottagers; while, in some ways, the most pleasing of
all, are the subscriptions from school children of some of the poorest
districts in the East End of London--for instance, of the Mansford
Street Central, and Pritchard's Road Schools, Bethnal Green--for the
purchase of favorite flowers of the dramatist, whose plays they have so
often witnessed with delight at the 'Old Vic.' and elsewhere.
"Thus, effect has been given to a prime desire of the Trustees, that as
large as possible a number of people in every section of the community
should be associated with this tribute to Shakespeare's memory.
"Most of the plants needful to furnish forth Shakespeare's garden
in the style of his own time have been forthcoming in sufficient
quantities--yet there are some important gaps still to be supplied.
These are:--Box, dwarf Box, both the ordinary and the 'Gilded' variety;
Thrift; Thyme, the Golden and Glaucous, as well as the Wild; and that
pretty herb, known under its simple old English name as 'Lavender
Cotton.' Of all of these, thousands of plants are still needed.
Similarly of Pinks, 'Streaked Gillyflowers'; 'Spike Lavender'; and of
Pansies--'Love in Idleness,'--pale and dark 'purple with Love's wound.'
Of 'Eglantine'--Sweet Briar--a few scores would be very welcome.
"Such shortages are mainly due to the large quantities of these plants
required for the purpose of filling the intricate-patterned beds of
the 'Curious Knotted Garden.' That kind of garden was an invariable
adjunct to every house of importance in Shakespeare's time, and the
Trustees are laying one out on what is believed to be the exact site of
the poet's own 'knotted garden,' modeling it on the designs printed in
the contemporary books on gardening--the designs being followed with a
fidelity and completeness unattempted, it is believed, for two hundred
and eighty years. At the same time, suggestions have naturally been
sought in Bacon's famous Essay 'On Gardens.'..."
SHAKESPEARE'S GARDEN RESTORED
Mr. Law's report, which is dated "Shakespeare's Birthday, A. D. 1920,"
says:
"The project of laying out the ground attached to Shakespeare's home in
his later years as an Elizabethan garden, to be stocked with all the
old-fashioned flowers mentioned by him in his plays or well known in
his time, first took practical shape last winter.
THE LONG BORDERS
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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