x PREFACE 



such specimens should be planted. For example, 

 it would be an anachronism to grow the superb mod- 

 ern pansies, for the "pansy freaked with jet," as 

 Milton so beautifully calls it, is the tiny heartsease, 

 or "johnny- jump-up." 



On the other hand, the carnations (or "sops-in- 

 wine") and gilliflowers were highly developed in 

 Shakespeare's day and existed in bewildering va- 

 riety. 



We read of such specimens as the Orange Tawny 

 Gilliflower, the Grandpere, the Lustie Gallant or 

 Westminster, the Queen's Gilliflower, the Dainty, 

 the Fair Maid of Kent or Ruffling Robin, the 

 Feathered Tawny, Master Bradshaw's Dainty 

 Lady, and Master Tuggie's Princess, besides many 

 other delightful names. 



I have carefully read every word in Parkinson's 

 huge volume, Parodist in Sole; Paradisus Terres- 

 tris (London, 1629), to select from his practical 

 instructions to gardeners and also his charming bits 

 of description. I need not apologize for quoting so 

 frequently his intimate and loving characterizations 

 of those flowers that are "nourished up in gardens." 

 Take, for example, the following description of the 

 "Great Harwich": 



