A Little Wilderness of Roses and Lilies: Andrew Marvell’s Garden Verse

Andrew Marvell

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. March 31, 1621 Dearest reader, On this day, the world welcomed Andrew Marvell, whose life and verse would come to blossom much like the very gardens he so admired. Marvell—poet, politician, and confidant…

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December 9, 2020 Kenya’s Giant Fig Tree, Henry David Thoreau, Lorraine Collett, Peter Smithers, John Milton, The History of Landscape Design in 100 Gardens by Linda Chisholm and Peyton Zieger’s Sweet Potato Party

The Daily Gardener Podcast Album Cover with a pot of rosemary - the herb for remembrance - beckoning gardeners to remember to listen to the show. Updated September 2025.

Subscribe Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Support The Daily Gardener Buy Me A Coffee  Connect for FREE! The Friday Newsletter |  Daily Gardener Community Curated News Why Kenya’s Giant Fig Tree Won Over A President | BBC News Botanical History On This Day 1855 Henry David Thoreau at Walden watched the…

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A floral elegy: John Milton’s garden tribute in Lycidas

Eleven Flowers Mentioned in Milton's Lycidas

by John Milton Bring the rathe primrose that forsaken dies, The tufted crow-toe, and pale gessamine, The white pink, and the pansy freaked with jet, The glowing violet, The musk-rose, and the well-attired woodbine, With cowslips wan that hang the pensive head, And every flower that sad embroidery wears: Bid amaranthus all his beauty shed,…

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John Milton’s “Song on May Morning”: Hailing the Bounteous May

A cluster of blooming yellow cowslip flowers (Primula veris) with drooping bell-shaped blossoms and broad green leaves, growing in a sunlit garden setting.

by John Milton Now the bright morning-star, Day’s harbinger, Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her The flowery May, who from her green lap throws The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose. Hail, bounteous May, that dost inspire Mirth, and youth, and warm desire! Woods and groves are of thy dressing; Hill and…

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