Maryland
Gardens - An Historical Vignette
Maryland is traditionally
a garden-minded state. In the earliest days of colonization
in the 1600's, the lords of the great manor houses gave
immediate thought to the planning of "plesuer gyrdens"
in close proximity to the mansion, as well as to the practical
notion of a food-producing kitchen garden. The plans and
the foundations for both "plesuer gyrdens" and
kitchen gardens were charted and begun at almost the same
time.
The first basic plan of all the great gardens usually
included boxwood.
Proof of the love of boxwood is found in old records of
early colonists. "A bundle of slyps of Box-wood bound
about I" and a letter found in an old desk in Annapolis
"sets forth" that the writer "Hath by the
last Packet recyved from England small slypings of Box-wood
for ye new gardyn."
Many early settler's appreciation of the decorative value
of boxwood is exemplified by the "frustrated garden"
behind the famous Hammond-Harwood House in old Annapolis.
According to legend, Mr. Matthias Hammond's fiancee became
so jealous of his care and attention to the home being
built for her that she broke her engagement. The evidence
of what was to have been a magnificent garden adjacent
to the banks of the Severn River is demonstrated only
by the splendid boxwood in the rear of the stately old
house that was never occupied by its builder. Some think
he had a fortunate escape!
Bibliography
and Acknowledgments
Shown: Black-Eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia
hirta )
