Man has created gardens since time immemorial. He has collected the fruits of nature and arranged them to suit his ends: vegetables to eat; flowers to stimulate the eye; grass to lie or play on. Gardens can be a source of great pleasure. As Kipling wrote: "And the glory of the garden it shall never pass away."
Kipling of course recognised that such unnatural creations are hard work - "half a proper gardener's work is done upon his knees" - and that they need to be carefully nurtured if they are to flourish. But the work of a gardener brings a unique reward: "And when your back stops aching and your hands begin to harden / You will find yourself a partner in the glory of the garden."
Not all gardens flourish all the time. They go through phases, according to who or which institution has control. One garden that has had such a cyclical existence is the Chelsea Physic Garden. Fortunately, it is now in a very good state, as an article in this week's issue makes clear (p956). Furthermore, its pharmaceutical aspects have recently been enhanced with new plantings. Pharmacists with an interest in medicinal plants might want to witness the glory to be found in Chelsea.