1629 Paradisus of John Parkinson

Leo A. Martin leo@possi.org
Wed, 12 Feb 2014 17:24:34 PST
Jim McKenney wrote

> ...in his 1629 Paradisus, John Parkinson....

From what I've read, the very earliest gardens known, in what is now called the Middle
East, were walled enclosures with water features. They were known by a name that today
has morphed into "paradise." Gardens of this design are common in Roman and Arabic
architecture, as can be seen in ancient buildings in Spain and Pompeii, and a modern
recreation of a Pompeiian villa at the old Getty museum in Malibu, California. I would
think Parkinson's title refers to gardens in general, and might be translated simply as
_The Garden_.

Saffron was no doubt grown in or near such gardens. Thus we have both bulbous and blue
content to this message. Gastil, if you have trouble with Colchicum, you can probably
grow saffron without too much trouble in well-drained soil.

Leo Martin
Phoenix Arizona USA




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