s^j The Scented Qarden ^ 



the city one hears only the pleasant sound of the bees. 

 Scientists tell us that wallflowers comprise the elements 

 of many scents in their petals, even rose and violet scents, 

 and possibly this accounts to some extent for the sensa- 

 tion they give that one is enjoying a garden full of flowers. 

 But there is something in the scent of wallflowers beyond 

 anything for which science can account. 



Nowadays one seldom sees wallflowers treated as 

 perennials, left to grow in peace and to live their full 

 span of life, but how sturdy and attractive and full of 

 character they are. A bed of wallflowers raised from seed 

 the previous year give a feast of colour, but they cannot 

 compare with a fine old plant full of years. Such a plant, 

 covered with blossoms and with the bees hovering over it, 

 is a delight. Wallflowers an beloved by bees and hence 

 the old name of ' bee-flowe •.' As Gervase Markham wrote 

 over three hundred yz? ;s ago, ' The Husbandman pre- 

 serves it most in his Jee-garden, for it is wondrous sweet 

 and affordeth mucjjf honey.' 



We do not know when wallflowers, ' which are very 

 delightful to be, set under a parlour or lower chamber 

 window,' were introduced into our gardens, but it must 

 have been in very early days. They are natives of the 

 south of Eiirope. When found growing wild on old 

 buildings tr ie flowers are invariably yellow, and yellow 

 therefore is evidently the original colour. ' Yellow 

 violet ' Was formerly a common name for them among 

 country-folk. Gerard, in his Herb all (1597), mentions 

 only yellow wallflowers — ' most pleasant sweete yellow 

 flowery very double ' — Parkinson, in his Paradisus, being 

 the fi r st to record those with striped or variegated petals. 

 It is interesting to remember that both Turner and 

 48 



