LILIES - RHS Lily Group

for making of barragons, a genteel corded stuff, much in vogue at that time for
summer wear; and chiefly manufactured at Alton, a neighbouring town, by some
of the people called Quakers: but from circumstances this trade is at an end. The
inhabitants enjoy a good share of health and longevity: and the parish swarms
with children”.
And some detail as to the inhabitants of the village: “Total of burials from 1720
to 1779 both inclusive, 60 years - 640. Baptisms exceed burials by more them
one-third. Baptisms of Males exceed Females by one-tenth, or one in ten. Burials
of Females exceed Males by one in thirty. It appears that a child, born and bred
in this parish, has an equal chance to live above forty years. Twins thirteen times,
many of whom dying young have lessened the chance for life. Chances for life
in men and women appear to be equal”.
Gilbert White was born in Selborne, a north Hampshire village lying just a few
miles to the southeast of Alton and about 50 miles to the southwest of London in
southern England, in 1720. The White family moved away that year but returned
in 1729 and Selborne remained White’s home until his death in 1793.
Gilbert went up to Oriel College, Oxford in 1740. Five years earlier in 1735
Carl Linnaeus the Swedish naturalist had suggested a new classification for living
organisms. White became a Fellow of Oriel College in 1744, was ordained in
1746 and became a curate. Ten years later in 1756 he was to become the Vicar
at Moreton Pinkney in Northamptonshire but we have no record of his living
permanently there.
Five years earlier in 1751 White had started to keep records of activities in his
garden and started writing the Garden Kalendar. Later writings included details
of the flora in Selborne and the surrounding area in Flora Selborniensis.
The Wakes and the Garden are a very special place. If I ever write the book
“Britain’s Ten Most Beautiful Gardens” the Wakes will undoubtedly feature. The
layout and style of the garden is so very attractive and the garden is beautifully
maintained and the plants expertly grown. Add to this the backdrop of the beech
woods and the Hanger and the Garden and House have that feeling of peace and
tranquillity often so hard to find in today’s world.
The garden has been restored to the layout and style of White’s time in
the house. The “Six Quarters”, the “Basons” and the vegetable garden are all
mentioned in White’s writings. He was of course a keen grower of vegetables
and records of this are well documented. The haha so popular in gardens of the
time features and a charming seat, the “Wine Pipe” overlooks the house from
afar. This was constructed from a Portuguese brandy barrel!
The beech woodlands called “the Hangers” form the backdrop to the house
and garden. On Baker’s Hill just a short walk from the house Lilium martagon
grows well and flowers every year in June. The current plants may well be
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