Dear Sarah,

Miss Pickworth is pleased to point out that flower gardening during the Regency is considered a refined and fashionable art. Our gardens are highly ornamental in style – as are we. Focusing on fragrance above all qualities, we have not permitted our flowers to fall victim to that abominable practice which now so distorts the natural world: hybridization. (Miss Pickworth must report that the Victorians, who will follow us in history, will be largely responsible for that monstrous evil.)

Members of Regency Society take delight in flowering shrubberies, trellises with climbing plants, and ornate garden seats. Architect and writer Nicolas Le Camus de Mezieres has inflamed us with his novel theory that decorative details can be orchestrated to arouse the senses. Thus, scented shrubs planted in choice vessels or bouquets of intriguingly fragrant blossoms may be arranged to evoke tranquility in the boudoir and gaiety in the dining room.

As previously reported, highly scented flowers are much more important to Regency Society than pretty ones. Hybridization – so often leading to the demise of fragrance in favor of color, shape, or insect resistance – is not of great interest during the Regency. And we are grateful.

Intrigued? Of course you are. Then read on, dearest, for a list of many of the Regency’s most favored flowers.

Hyacinth
Jasmine
Honeysuckle
Cape Bulb (a bulb from South Africa)
Auricula
Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)
Gilly-Flower
Orange Trees ‑ with fruit upon them
Myrtle (Myrtus communis)‑ a fragrant evergreen shrub with white or pinkish flowers
Aloe
Snowdrop
Crocus
Hyacinth
Jonquil
Tulip ‑ from the Netherlands
Carnation – yes, here we have hybridized clove-scented flowers to create multi-striped Flakes or Bizarres
Heliotrope (Heliotropium peruvianum) ‑ an aromatic plant recommended more for its vanilla scent than its lavender-colored flower
African geranium (Pelargonium) ‑ grown in England from the sixteenth century
Mignonette (Reseda odorata)

Of course we must not forget that lasting favorite, the rose. Again, dear reader, please remember that we are less interested in color, blossom size, and perpetual flowering than we are in fragrance. Our rose bushes are just that – bushes. Some grow to six feet tall and are shrubby in nature. They bloom profusely only once each summer, and that is all we ask of them. We do not have many varieties of roses, but we suspect that may soon change. France is a haven for rose growing and breeding (hybridizing), and eventually most things French make their way across the Channel.

Among our most beloved roses are the following:

Alba – A rose with white or pale pink flowers, grey-green foliage, and a sweet scent. We use it for hedges.

Banksia – This rose comes in two colors, white and pink. You may find it in yellow, but it is not available during the Regency. These vigorous climbers have virtually no thorns and shiny green leaves. Unlike most of our favored flowers, they have almost no smell. We love them anyway.

China ‑ The last rose of summer, this has become the stock for the perpetual hybrid roses of your century. During the Regency, however, Chinese restrictions make these very limited. We have two varieties. “Old Blush” features dusty pink clusters with a silvery reverse on the petals. It can grow as a bush or a vigorous climber. “Mutabalis” features a five-petal bloom with flowers changing in color from yellow to pink over time.

Centofolia ‑ Also known as the cabbage rose, this heavily fragranced bloom has hundreds of petals. The loose arching habit and pale pink drooping flower make centofolia a sheer delight. Two varieties we enjoy are “Provence rose” and “Petite de Hollande.”

Damask – This rose’s large blooms are bright pink, tending towards mauve as they age. Again, we adore them for their intense fragrance. Two favorite varieties are “Apothecary’s Rose” and “Marie Louise.”

Gallica – This extremely hardy, vigorous red rose features a green button eye. We like “Rosa Mundi,” “Charles de Mills,” and “Old Velvet Rose.”

Moss Rose – This fragrant rose tends to grow only about two feet tall and is sadly susceptible to rain damage. Favorite Regency varieties include “Old Pink Moss” (a very aromatic warm pink rose) and “Shailers White Moss” (also known as White Bath or Clifton Rose).

May Miss Pickworth be of further assistance? If you wish to duplicate one of our lovely gardens, please read Regency Gardens by Mavis Batey.