This week it’s: Gardening links to Shakespeare

THIS Thursday, 23 April, is Shakespeare Day. It’s a celebration of William, ‘The Bard of Avon’, our most famous dramatist and poet. We don’t know his exact date of birth, but it was certainly before 26 April 1564 (his baptism date).

But we do know that he died on 23 April, in 1616, so it is on this day that the man who helped to shape modern English is usually celebrated. There are numerous references to plants in his works, and botanical and Tudor-style gardens in his name have sprung up around the world. Yet there is no evidence he actually ever grew anything. Nevertheless, the connections between plants, gardening and the boy from Stratford, are many. Let’s look at a few.