GOD Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed it is the purest of human pleasures. It is the greatest refreshment to the spirits of man; without which, buildings and palaces are but gross handiworks; and a man shall ever see, that when ages grow to civility and elegancy, men come to build stately sooner than to garden finely; as if gardening were the greater perfection. I do hold it, in the royal ordering of gardens, there ought to be gardens, for all the months in the year; in which severally things of beauty may be then in season. For December, and January, and the latter part of November, you must take such things as are green all winter: holly; ivy; bays; juniper; cypress-trees; yew; pine-apple-trees; fir-trees; rosemary; lavender; periwinkle, the white, the purple, and the blue; germander; flags; orange-trees; lemon-trees; and myrtles, if they be stoved; and sweet marjoram, warm set. There followeth, for the latter part of January and February, the mezereon-tree, which then blossoms; crocus vernus, both the yellow and the grey; primroses, anemones; the early tulippa; hyacinthus orientalis; chamairis; fritellaria. For March, there come violets, specially the single blue, which are the earliest; the yellow daffodil; the daisy; the almond-tree in blossom; the peach-tree in blossom; the cornelian-tree in blossom; sweet-briar. In April follow the double white violet; the wallflower; the stock-gilliflower; the cowslip; flowerdelices, and lilies of all natures; rosemary-flowers; the tulippa; the double peony; the pale daffodil; the French honeysuckle; the cherry-tree in blossom; the damson and plum-trees in blossom; the white thorn in leaf; the lilac-tree. In May and June come pinks of all sorts, specially the blushpink; roses of all kinds, except the musk, which comes later; honeysuckles; strawberries; bugloss; columbine; the French marigold, flos Africanus; cherry-tree in fruit; ribes; figs in fruit; rasps; vineflowers; lavender in flowers; the sweet satyrian, with the white flower; herba muscaria; lilium convallium; the apple-tree in blossom. In July come gilliflowers of all varieties; musk-roses; the lime-tree in blossom; early pears and plums in fruit; jennetings, codlins. In August come plums of all sorts in fruit; pears; apricocks; berberries; filberds; musk-melons; monks-hoods, of all colors. In September come grapes; apples; poppies of all colors; peaches; melocotones; nectarines; cornelians; wardens; quinces. In October and the beginning of November come services; medlars; bullaces; roses cut or removed to come late; hollyhocks; and such like. These particulars are for the climate of London; but my meaning is perceived, that you may have ver perpetuum, as the place affords.
God Almighty first planted a garden. Indeed, gardening is the purest of human pleasures. Nothing refreshes the human spirit more. Without it, buildings and palaces are merely crude constructions. We always see that, as societies become civilized and refined, people build grand buildings before they create fine gardens. It is as if gardening were the higher achievement. I believe gardens designed on a royal scale should include gardens for every month of the year. Each should have beautiful things in season. For December, January, and late November, choose plants that stay green all winter. These include holly, ivy, bay, juniper, cypress, yew, pine, fir, rosemary, lavender, and white, purple, and blue periwinkles. Add germander and irises. Orange trees, lemon trees, and myrtles must be kept in heated shelters, and sweet marjoram planted in a warm spot. For late January and February, there is the mezereon, which flowers then. There are also spring crocuses, both yellow and grey, primroses, anemones, early tulips, eastern hyacinths, dwarf irises, and fritillaries. March brings violets, especially the single blue ones, which are the earliest. There are also yellow daffodils, daisies, flowering almond trees, peach trees, and cornelian cherry trees, and sweetbriar. April brings double white violets, wallflowers, stocks, cowslips, irises, and lilies of every kind. There are rosemary flowers, tulips, double peonies, pale daffodils, and French honeysuckle. Cherry, damson, and plum trees are in blossom, hawthorn is in leaf, and there are lilacs. May and June bring pinks of every kind, especially blush pinks, and all roses except musk roses, which come later. There are honeysuckles, strawberries, bugloss, columbines, and French marigolds (flos Africanus). Cherry trees bear fruit, and there are currants, ripe figs, raspberries, grape blossoms, and flowering lavender. There are also sweet-scented white-flowered orchids, herba muscaria, lily of the valley, and apple trees in blossom. July brings carnations of every variety, musk roses, lime trees in blossom, and early pears and plums in fruit. There are also jenneting and codlin apples. August brings ripe plums of all kinds, pears, apricots, barberries, hazelnuts, muskmelons, and monkshood in all colors. September brings grapes, apples, poppies of all colors, peaches, yellow-fleshed peaches, nectarines, cornelian cherries, warden pears, and quinces. October and early November bring service-tree fruit, medlars, bullace plums, and roses pruned or transplanted to flower late. There are also hollyhocks and similar plants. These details apply to London's climate. But my point is clear: you can have a perpetual spring, as far as the place allows.
And because the breath of flowers is far sweeter in the air (where it comes and goes like the warbling of music) than in the hand, therefore nothing is more fit for that delight, than to know what be the flowers and plants that do best perfume the air. Roses, damask and red, are fast flowers of their smells; so that you may walk by a whole row of them, and find nothing of their sweetness; yea though it be in a morning's dew. Bays likewise yield no smell as they grow. Rosemary little; nor sweet marjoram. That which above all others yields the sweetest smell in the air is the violet, specially the white double violet, which comes twice a year; about the middle of April, and about Bartholomew-tide. Next to that is the musk-rose. Then the strawberry-leaves dying, which yield a most excellent cordial smell. Then the flower of vines; it is a little dust, like the dust of a bent, which grows upon the cluster in the first coming forth. Then sweet-briar. Then wall-flowers, which are very delightful to be set under a parlor or lower chamber window. Then pinks and gilliflowers, especially the matted pink and clove gilliflower. Then the flowers of the lime-tree. Then the honeysuckles, so they be somewhat afar off. Of beanflowers I speak not, because they are field flowers. But those which perfume the air most delightfully, not passed by as the rest, but being trodden upon and crushed, are three; that is, burnet, wildthyme, and watermints. Therefore you are to set whole alleys of them, to have the pleasure when you walk or tread.
The scent of flowers is far sweeter in the air than when you hold them in your hand. In the air, it comes and goes like the warbling of music. To enjoy this pleasure, nothing is more useful than knowing which flowers and plants best perfume the air. Damask and red roses hold tightly to their scent. You may walk past a whole row without catching any of their sweetness, even in the morning dew. Bay trees likewise give off no scent as they grow. Rosemary gives off little, as does sweet marjoram. Above all others, the violet gives the sweetest scent to the air, especially the double white violet. It blooms twice a year, around the middle of April and around St. Bartholomew’s Day in late August. Next comes the musk rose. Then come dying strawberry leaves, which give off a wonderfully refreshing scent. Then come grapevine flowers. These appear on the newly emerging grape clusters as a fine dust, like the pollen of bent grass. Then comes sweetbriar. Then come wallflowers, which are especially delightful when planted beneath a parlor or ground-floor bedroom window. Then come pinks and gilliflowers, especially the mat-forming pink and the clove-scented carnation. Then come lime-tree flowers. Then come honeysuckles, provided they are some distance away. I leave out bean flowers because they belong in the fields. Three plants perfume the air most delightfully when trodden on and crushed, rather than simply walked past. These are burnet, wild thyme, and water mint. You should therefore plant entire garden paths with them, to enjoy their scent as you walk or tread on them.
For gardens (speaking of those which are indeed princelike, as we have done of buildings), the contents ought not well to be under thirty acres of ground; and to be divided into three parts; a green in the entrance; a heath or desert in the going forth; and the main garden in the midst; besides alleys on both sides. And I like well that four acres of ground be assigned to the green; six to the heath; four and four to either side; and twelve to the main garden. The green hath two pleasures: the one, because nothing is more pleasant to the eye than green grass kept finely shorn; the other, because it will give you a fair alley in the midst, by which you may go in front upon a stately hedge, which is to enclose the garden. But because the alley will be long, and, in great heat of the year or day, you ought not to buy the shade in the garden, by going in the sun through the green, therefore you are, of either side the green, to plant a covert alley upon carpenter's work, about twelve foot in height, by which you may go in shade into the garden. As for the making of knots or figures, with divers colored earths, that they may lie under the windows of the house on that side which the garden stands, they be but toys; you may see as good sights, many times, in tarts. The garden is best to be square, encompassed on all the four sides with a stately arched hedge. The arches to be upon pillars of carpenter's work, of some ten foot high, and six foot broad; and the spaces between of the same dimension with the breadth of the arch. Over the arches let there be an entire hedge of some four foot high, framed also upon carpenter's work; and upon the upper hedge, over every arch, a little turret, with a belly, enough to receive a cage of birds: and over every space between the arches some other little figure, with broad plates of round colored glass gilt, for the sun to play upon. But this hedge I intend to be raised upon a bank, not steep, but gently slope, of some six foot, set all with flowers. Also I understand, that this square of the garden, should not be the whole breadth of the ground, but to leave on either side, ground enough for diversity of side alleys; unto which the two covert alleys of the green, may deliver you. But there must be no alleys with hedges, at either end of this great enclosure; not at the hither end, for letting your prospect upon this fair hedge from the green; nor at the further end, for letting your prospect from the hedge, through the arches upon the heath.
Gardens fit for princes, like the buildings we have discussed, should cover no less than thirty acres. They should be divided into three parts. There should be a lawn at the entrance, a heath or wilderness at the far end, and the main garden between. There should also be walks on both sides. I favor assigning four acres to the lawn, six to the heath, four to each side, and twelve to the main garden. The lawn offers two pleasures. First, nothing is more pleasing to the eye than neatly mown green grass. Second, it provides a fine central walk leading straight toward a grand hedge enclosing the garden. But this walk will be long. In the hottest season or part of the day, you should not reach the garden’s shade by first crossing sunlit grass. So plant a covered walk on each side of the lawn, trained over a wooden framework about twelve feet high. These will let you enter the garden in shade. As for ornamental patterns made with differently colored earths beneath the house windows facing the garden, these are mere trifles. You can often see designs just as fine on tarts. The garden is best made square, enclosed on all four sides by a grand hedge with arches. The arches should rest on wooden pillars and measure about ten feet high and six feet wide. The gaps between them should be as wide as the arches. Above the arches, let there be a continuous hedge about four feet high, also supported by a wooden framework. Above every arch, place a little turret with a bulging middle large enough to hold a birdcage. Above each gap between the arches, place some other small ornamental shape. Decorate these with broad, round plates of colored glass, gilded for the sunlight to play upon. This hedge should stand on a bank about six feet high, with a gentle rather than steep slope, planted entirely with flowers. This square garden should not occupy the full width of the grounds. Leave enough ground on either side for a variety of side walks. The two covered walks beside the lawn can lead into these. But there must be no hedge-lined walks at either end of this great enclosure. At the near end, they would block your view of the fine hedge from the lawn. At the far end, they would block your view from the hedge, through the arches, onto the heath.
For the ordering of the ground, within the great hedge, I leave it to variety of device; advising nevertheless, that whatsoever form you cast it into, first, it be not too busy, or full of work. Wherein I, for my part, do not like images cut out in juniper or other garden stuff; they be for children. Little low hedges, round, like welts, with some pretty pyramids, I like well; and in some places, fair columns upon frames of carpenter's work. I would also have the alleys, spacious and fair. You may have closer alleys, upon the side grounds, but none in the main garden. I wish also, in the very middle, a fair mount, with three ascents, and alleys, enough for four to walk abreast; which I would have to be perfect circles, without any bulwarks or embossments; and the whole mount to be thirty foot high; and some fine banqueting-house, with some chimneys neatly cast, and without too much glass.
I leave the layout of the ground within the great hedge to the designer’s imagination. Whatever shape you choose, though, I advise against making it too busy or elaborate. For my part, I dislike figures cut from juniper or other garden plants. They are for children. I do like little low, rounded hedges, like raised borders, with some attractive pyramid shapes. In some places, I also like handsome columns built on wooden frames. I would also have the paths wide and handsome. You may have narrower paths in the side areas, but none in the main garden. Right in the middle, I would also like a handsome mound with three ascending levels. Its paths should be wide enough for four people to walk side by side. I would have these form perfect circles, without any projecting sections or raised features. The whole mound should be thirty feet high. On top, I would have an elegant banqueting house, with neatly designed chimneys and not too much glass.
For fountains, they are a great beauty and refreshment; but pools mar all, and make the garden unwholesome, and full of flies and frogs. Fountains I intend to be of two natures: the one that sprinkleth or spouteth water; the other a fair receipt of water, of some thirty or forty foot square, but without fish, or slime, or mud. For the first, the ornaments of images gilt, or of marble, which are in use, do well: but the main matter is so to convey the water, as it never stay, either in the bowls or in the cistern; that the water be never by rest discolored, green or red or the like; or gather any mossiness or putrefaction. Besides that, it is to be cleansed every day by the hand. Also some steps up to it, and some fine pavement about it, doth well. As for the other kind of fountain, which we may call a bathing pool, it may admit much curiosity and beauty; wherewith we will not trouble ourselves: as, that the bottom be finely paved, and with images; the sides likewise; and withal embellished with colored glass, and such things of lustre; encompassed also with fine rails of low statuas. But the main point is the same which we mentioned in the former kind of fountain; which is, that the water be in perpetual motion, fed by a water higher than the pool, and delivered into it by fair spouts, and then discharged away under ground, by some equality of bores, that it stay little. And for fine devices, of arching water without spilling, and making it rise in several forms (of feathers, drinking glasses, canopies, and the like), they be pretty things to look on, but nothing to health and sweetness.
Fountains bring great beauty and refreshment. But stagnant pools spoil everything, making the garden unhealthy and full of flies and frogs. By fountains, I mean two kinds. One sprays or spouts water. The other is a handsome basin, some thirty or forty feet square, without fish, slime, or mud. For the first kind, the usual ornaments of gilded or marble statues work well. But the main concern is to keep the water moving, both in the bowls and in the cistern. It must never stand long enough to turn green, red, or any other color, or develop moss or decay. It must also be cleaned by hand every day. Some steps leading up to it and fine paving around it also look well. The other kind of fountain, which we may call a bathing pool, allows for much elaborate and beautiful decoration. We need not concern ourselves with its details. The bottom and sides may be finely paved and decorated with figures. They may also be adorned with colored glass and other shining materials, and surrounded by fine railings incorporating low statues. But the main point is the same as for the first kind of fountain. The water must remain in constant motion. Water from a higher source should feed the pool through handsome spouts, then drain away underground. The inlet and outlet openings should be matched so that the water stays only briefly. Ingenious devices can send water in arches without scattering it, or make it rise in various shapes. These may resemble feathers, drinking glasses, canopies, and the like. They are pretty to look at, but contribute nothing to health or freshness.
For the heath, which was the third part of our plot, I wish it to be framed, as much as may be, to a natural wildness. Trees I would have none in it, but some thickets made only of sweet-briar and honeysuckle, and some wild vine amongst; and the ground set with violets, strawberries, and primroses. For these are sweet, and prosper in the shade. And these to be in the heath, here and there, not in any order. I like also little heaps, in the nature of mole-hills (such as are in wild heaths), to be set, some with wild thyme; some with pinks; some with germander, that gives a good flower to the eye; some with periwinkle; some with violets; some with strawberries; some with cowslips; some with daisies; some with red roses; some with lilium convallium; some with sweet-williams red; some with bear's-foot: and the like low flowers, being withal sweet and sightly. Part of which heaps, are to be with standards of little bushes pricked upon their top, and part without. The standards to be roses; juniper; holly; berberries (but here and there, because of the smell of their blossoms); red currants; gooseberries; rosemary; bays; sweetbriar; and such like. But these standards to be kept with cutting, that they grow not out of course.
For the heath, the third part of our garden plan, I would make it look as naturally wild as possible. I would have no trees there, only some thickets of sweetbriar and honeysuckle, with some wild vine mixed in. The ground should be planted with violets, strawberries, and primroses, which are sweet-scented and thrive in shade. These should grow here and there across the heath, without any regular arrangement. I also like small mounds resembling molehills, such as those found on wild heaths. Some should be planted with wild thyme, some with pinks, and some with germander, whose flowers are pleasing to the eye. Others should have periwinkles, violets, strawberries, cowslips, daisies, red roses, lily of the valley, red sweet Williams, or bear’s-foot. Similar low-growing flowers may also be used, provided they are both sweet-scented and attractive. Some mounds should have small upright bushes planted on top, while others should have none. These bushes should be roses, juniper, holly, and barberry, though barberry should appear only here and there because of its blossoms’ smell. They may also be red currants, gooseberries, rosemary, bay, sweetbriar, and similar shrubs. These upright bushes should be kept trimmed so that they do not grow out of shape.
For the side grounds, you are to fill them with variety of alleys, private, to give a full shade, some of them, wheresoever the sun be. You are to frame some of them, likewise, for shelter, that when the wind blows sharp you may walk as in a gallery. And those alleys must be likewise hedged at both ends, to keep out the wind; and these closer alleys must be ever finely gravelled, and no grass, because of going wet. In many of these alleys, likewise, you are to set fruit-trees of all sorts; as well upon the walls, as in ranges. And this would be generally observed, that the borders wherein you plant your fruit-trees, be fair and large, and low, and not steep; and set with fine flowers, but thin and sparingly, lest they deceive the trees. At the end of both the side grounds, I would have a mount of some pretty height, leaving the wall of the enclosure breast high, to look abroad into the fields.
Fill the side grounds with a variety of secluded paths. Some should provide full shade, wherever the sun is. Design some for shelter too, so you can walk as if in a covered gallery when sharp winds blow. These paths must also have hedges at both ends to keep out the wind. The more enclosed paths must always be neatly gravelled, with no grass, to avoid walking on wet ground. Along many of these paths, plant fruit trees of all sorts, both against the walls and in rows. As a general rule, the borders where you plant fruit trees should be broad, spacious, and low, without steep slopes. Plant them with fine flowers, but thinly and sparingly, so they do not rob the trees of nourishment. At the end of each side ground, I would have a mound of some height. Keep the enclosing wall there at breast height, so you can look out over the fields.
For the main garden, I do not deny, but there should be some fair alleys ranged on both sides, with fruit-trees; and some pretty tufts of fruit-trees, and arbors with seats, set in some decent order; but these to be by no means set too thick; but to leave the main garden so as it be not close, but the air open and free. For as for shade, I would have you rest upon the alleys of the side grounds, there to walk, if you be disposed, in the heat of the year or day; but to make account, that the main garden is for the more temperate parts of the year; and in the heat of summer, for the morning and the evening, or overcast days.
For the main garden, I agree there should be some fine paths lined on both sides with fruit trees. There should also be some attractive clusters of fruit trees and arbors with seats, arranged in an orderly way. But these must not be too closely spaced. The main garden should not feel enclosed, and the air should flow freely. For shade, rely on the paths in the side gardens. Walk there, if you wish, during the hottest times of the year or day. But consider the main garden a place for the milder seasons. In summer’s heat, use it in the morning and evening, or on overcast days.
For aviaries, I like them not, except they be of that largeness as they may be turfed, and have living plants and bushes set in them; that the birds may have more scope, and natural nesting, and that no foulness appear in the floor of the aviary. So I have made a platform of a princely garden, partly by precept, partly by drawing, not a model, but some general lines of it; and in this I have spared for no cost. But it is nothing for great princes, that for the most part taking advice with workmen, with no less cost set their things together; and sometimes add statuas and such things for state and magnificence, but nothing to the true pleasure of a garden.
I do not like aviaries unless they are large enough for turf, living plants, and bushes. This gives the birds more room and natural places to nest, and keeps droppings from showing on the floor. So I have outlined a princely garden, partly through instructions and partly through sketches. This is not a detailed plan, but only a general outline, and I have spared no expense. Yet the cost is nothing for great princes. They usually take advice from workmen and put their gardens together at no less expense. Sometimes they add statues and similar ornaments for grandeur and magnificence. But these add nothing to the true pleasure of a garden.