The Iris Bed is another area where modern varieties have been used as it was felt appropriate to include irises bred by Cedric Morris. This artist and plantsman lived at Benton End, Hadleigh. In medieval days, few plants were decorative, most were sweet scented flowers and herbs used in pots all over the place inside on the winter and outside in the summer to mask bad smells from the great unwashed of the time. They also acted to keep bugs and insects away, or repel deer, rabbits and other animal life. The plants here may be lacking in color at some times but were planned to stay green in winter.
All photographs are by the authors below.
Our text was enhanced by brochures and leaflets from the Garden's creators, Jane Haylock and Hattie Bawden.