Romeo and Juliet, true love?
Are Romeo and Juliet really the most romantic of all lovers? Or is their love more folly, infatuation and teenage angst?
Special topics
Sometimes we invite themed chat about Shakespeare - the results are hear for you to enjoy and comment on
Get involved
Herbarium a record of plant specimens
The gathering of plant specimens began as far back as the Middle Ages. We are currently working on a Museum Herbarium, which will give an historical…
Flowers that herald the arrival of spring
Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
Being one of the first blooms in March, they herald the arrival of spring and warmer days to come. Primula is…
Folklore of Plants
Folklore played an important role in history and there are many references by Shakespeare of the folklore and history of flora and fauna.
Vegetables also have flowers
Leeks, thought to have been introduced by the Romans, are grown in the period gardens at the Weald and Downland. They are initially sown in spring…
Mary Gardens
Hello my name is Carlotta, Head Gardener at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum and your host for this week. I am responsible for the six…
Lavender and Mullein
[b]Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)[/b]
A Roman introduction to this country, its name derives from the Latin verb 'lavare' to wash…
Cowslips (Primula veris)
A native plant, its name comes from the Old English cūslyppe meaning cow dung, probably because the plant was often found growing amongst the…
Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum)
A Roman introduction but, easy to grow as it self-seeds freely, quickly become common. A very useful plant because all parts of it were used in their…
St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
A yellow flowered plant, allegedly introduced to this country by the Romans. Invasive, it is likely to colonise any spare ground in Bayleaf garden if…
Elderflowers (Sambucus nigra)
I wanted to make the point that not all the flowers used by our Tudor ancestors would be purpose grown in a garden plot. For the majority of the…
Apothecary rose (Rosa gallica)
This is one of the earliest cultivated species of rose, probably introduced to this country by the Romans. Of course, it looks and smells beautiful…
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
This plant will be considered little better than a weed by many modern gardeners because it spreads so easily and can become invasive. However, to…
The flowers of Bayleaf garden (Weald & Downland Open Air Museum)
Here at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum we have 50 traditional rural buildings from South East England saved from destruction, carefully…
Saying it with flowers today
In the 1930's and 40's Constance Spry brought flower arranging to the masses. In her Mayfair flower shop she catered for the wealthy in…
Wedding Flowers - Yesterday and today
Weddings through the centuries have always been a cause for celebration. From the earliest marriages when flowers, herbs and seed heads were all…
The last gift of love.
Flower giving is not restricted to the living. Final last floral gifts are a long established custom at funerals. In ancient Egypt garlands of…
Shakespeare, seduction and love
Saint Valentine was a Christian martyr who died in 269. He is the patron saint of lovers, engaged couples and happy marriages. He is generally…
Flower giving before Shakespeare
Hello flower addicts and Shakespeare lovers,
My name is Lynda and I have been saying it with flowers for most of my life, so…