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sweetannie4u

The Legend of Wallflowers

Annie
10 years ago

Wallflower, 'Sweet Sorbet'

There are so many varieties and color combinations of this age old perennial flower, but in America, we seem to be given only a few to choose from - at least from our local nurseries and garden centers. The lovely sweet perfume of the lowly Wallflower makes it a must for any true Cottage Garden.
I had some of the wild variety once upon a time (oranges and yellows), and hope one day have more varieties in my Cottage Garden.

The Legend of Wallflowers
⢠Robert Herrick ( 1591-1674), known as 'The Cavalier Poet', immortalized the wallflower in verse. He wrote about a tragic accident that occurred at Neidpath Castle on the banks of the River Tweed in Scotland. The Earl of MarchâÂÂs daughter, Elizabeth, had fallen in love with a young nobleman from a rival clan, Scott of Tushielaw. Her father wanted her to marry the future king of Scotland instead. The strong-willed Elizabeth refused and her father locked her up in the tower as a punishment. The handsome Scott disguised himself as a minstrel and serenaded her while they made plans to elope, but when the time came Elizabeth fell to her death, landing close to a sprig of wallflower growing along the towerâÂÂs wall. The broken-hearted Scott set off to wander through the land wearing a sprig of wallflower, and this flower still symbolizes faithful devotion.

âÂÂUp she got upon a wall
Tempting down to slide withal
But the silken twist untied
So she fell, and bruisâÂÂd, she died.âÂÂ
from "How the wall-flower came first, and why so called",
by Robert Herrick.
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- Gardens Illustrated, 2013

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