Robert Burns

January 25, 1759
Today is the birthday of the Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns.
Widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and celebrated worldwide, tonight is Burns Night. Each year Burns Night commemorates Robert, the beloved poet born into a poor Scottish family of farmers.

A typical Burns Night includes live music, poetry readings of Burns masterpieces, and a traditional Scottish meal of Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties.
Now, gardeners have a soft spot for Robert Burns.

His 1794 poem 'Red Red Rose' starts out with the familiar verse:

"O my Luve's like a red, red rose..." 

And gardeners have always loved Robert's poem “To a Mountain Daisy.” with the line,

“Sweet floweret of the rural shade! 
By love's simplicity betrayed”

Of course, the way to end a fantastic Burns Night Celebration is to sing Robert’s most famous poem, which has now been set to music: Auld Lang Syne.