English Heritage search for the ‘true’ carnation

In 2008, seeing carnations looking limp and smothered in cellophane, it is hard to believe that this was once the bloom that seduced a Queen, and dazzled one of the most sophisticated royal courts in history with its heady exotic scent, delicate fringed petals and striking colours. 

The carnations in today’s garage forecourts are dramatically different to the 16th century varieties – most of which were lost following the introductions in the 19th and 20th centuries of stronger repeat flowering forms suitable for cut flower production.  And yet they are an essential component in English Heritage’s ambitious scheme to recreate the magnificent Elizabethan garden at Kenilworth Castle.  So the search is on to find carnation varieties that could have been grown by gardeners in the 16th century.  And English Heritage is calling for gardeners across the land to help.

Conveniently, it is easy to spot the true form as they have some striking characteristics - predominantly a spicy, exotic scent which, according to English Heritage’s Head of Gardens and Landscape, John Watkins can be “strong enough to make the eyes water.” 

“The 16th century garden was highly sensual,” explains Watkins.  “Perfume was an essential part of the garden experience and the clove-scented carnation was an important high status plant, crucial in the heady summer cocktail of strawberries, roses, stocks, peonies and pinks”.

Two varieties have been sourced for Kenilworth so far thanks to the combined efforts of specialist nurseries such as Allwoods Nursery in Sussex and Southview Nurseries in Hampshire.  Surprise finds emerging include one on the castle wall at Sherbourne and wild seed at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, collected from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

“The Carnation, Dianthus caryophyllus grows wild in the mountains of Morocco and Southern Spain. It was cultivated and developed in Islamic gardens from the 15th century finding its way to Istanbul, then to the West via Italian gardens, reaching England by the early 16th century. By 1600 around 60 varieties of carnation were recorded by Parkinson,” explains Watkins.

English Heritage is working with Whichford Pottery to recreate special carnation pots, based on a 16th century engraving, which will display the plants and their flowers as Elizabeth I would have known them.

 If gardeners believe that they may have examples of true species, strongly spice scented, with a flowering period of 5-6 weeks in June and July and very feathered petals then English Heritage want to hear.  Contact English Heritage Customer Services on 0870 333 1181 or email customers@english-heritage.org.uk ideally with a picture or as detailed a description as possible.

Kenilworth Castle Garden will open to the public in May 2009.  When complete it will present the most complete picture of an Elizabethan courtly garden anywhere in the world – a garden to seduce and beguile visitors today just as it did in 1575.  Created by Elizabeth I’s favourite, Robert Dudley, at a time when he hoped to persuade her to marry, the garden is a romantic combination of magnificent carved arbours; a bejewelled aviary; planting abundant in colour, perfume and fruits and an 18-foot-high fountain carved from dazzling Carrara marble.

Special previews are now on for visitors who wish to watch the work in progress on the English Heritage scheme.  The gardens are open to visitors every day until 31 October 2008, with guided tours every Friday.