•^ The Scented (garden fj£ 



Gerard mentions Mr. Garret, the London apothecary, 

 as an enthusiastic tulip breeder. 



In Paris tulips were the flowers most favoured by ladies 

 to wear in their low-cut dresses, and gifts of the rarest 

 were prized as though they were jewels. Parkinson in his 

 Paradisus (1629) describes flower lovers as being ' more 

 delighted in the search, curiosity, and rarities of these 

 pleasant delights, than any age I thinke before. But 

 indeede this flower, above many other, deserveth his 

 true commendations and acceptance with all lovers of 

 these beauties, both for the stately aspect, and for the 

 admirable varieties of colours, that daily doe arise in them. 

 But above and beyond all others the Tulipas may be so 

 matched, one colour answering and setting of another, 

 that the place where they stand may resemble a piece of 

 curious needlework or a piece of painting : and I have 

 knowne in a Garden, the Master as much commended for 

 this artificial form in placing the colours of Tulips, as 

 for the goodness of his flowers or any other thing. . . . 

 But to tell you of all the sorts of Tulips (which are the 

 pride of delight) they are so many, and as I may say, 

 almost infinite, doth both passe my ability and, as I 

 believe, the skill of any other. . . . Besides this glory of 

 variety in colours that these flowers have, they carry so 

 stately and delight full a forme, and do abide so long in 

 their bravery (enduring above three whole moneths from 

 the first unto the last) that there is no Lady or Gentle- 

 woman of any worth that is not caught with this delight 

 or not delighted with these flowers.' 



The ' tulip mania,' which was at its height between 

 1630 and 1640, is of little real interest to flower lovers. 

 Collegiums or clubs were formed and held at the inns, 

 66 



