“Flowers seem to be intended for the solace of humanity”, wrote John Ruskin: “children love them; tender, cultivated people love them as they grow”. ‘Treasury of Summer’ | Britannia and Eve | 1 July 1950 Gardening can prove a useful and enjoyable distraction during challenging times. In June 1940, during the midst of the Second World War, the beauty of local gardens inspired mixed emotions. The spring of 1940 and the early summer have been far more beautiful than usual, …