Tudor Gardens

In the Tudor age gardens served a variety of purposes. First and foremost, they were for growing food. When only seasonal produce, or food preserved during a glut was available, the ability to grow a range of foodstuffs throughout the year could mean the difference between starvation and survival. Garden crops included onions, garlic and leeks.

For the better off, there might be sufficient space to grow plants for purely ornamental purposes, although plants we think of as purely decorative were frequently used in the home. Roses, a great favourite, were used in cookery, for making rosehip wine and also for perfumes, flower arrangements and pot pourri mixtures to keep rooms smelling sweet. Queen Katherine Parr was particularly fond of fresh flowers; ordering them for her rooms at Hampton Court.

For the better off, there might be sufficient space to grow plants for purely ornamental purposes, although plants we think of as purely decorative were frequently used in the home. Roses, a great favourite, were used in cookery, for making rosehip wine and also for perfumes, flower arrangements and pot pourri mixtures to keep rooms smelling sweet. Queen Katherine Parr was particularly fond of fresh flowers; ordering them for her rooms at Hampton Court.

This article was first published on 21 April 2015 on the Britain Magazine website.

This article was first published on 21 April 2015 on the Britain Magazine website.