Murder Mystery Garden - Hortus Homicida

Although this garden at the Gardening Scotland show is not the sort that many would actually want I found it imaginative and extremely interesting the more I looked at it.  Designed by members of the Scotland’s Rural College it won a Gold Award and is historically accurate as it represents the earliest pictorial evidence of a garden in Scotland.  Queen Elizabeth I had commissioned an illustration of the crime scene after the murder of the husband of her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, 450 years ago.  His body was found below a pear tree in the monastic garden after a gunpowder explosion and steam (smoke) coming out of the broken wall illustrates the explosion. The bee skeps and plants have relevance to the period and have been chosen for their cultural significance because they contain hidden meanings from historical folklore.
Hortus Homicida intends to commemorate a moment in time that changed the course of Scottish history.  Inspired by events that unfolded on the night of 10th February 1567 the garden aims to recreate the scene of Scotland’s most intriguing crimes: the murder of Lord Darnley, husband of Mary Queen of Scots.  The night emitted a violent explosion that ripped through the Lord Provost’s House at Kirk o’ Field, current location of the Old College.  The early morning mist revealed two bodies naked except for nightgowns, an overturned chair, a dagger and a cloak.  No suspect has ever been caught and the crime carries all the hallmark of an Agatha Christie classic with nearly everyone having a motive: Had the Queen orchestrated the murder to rid herself of a “Syphilitic Sod”?  Had the Earls and Lords of Scotland fuelled by growing disquiet decided to go through with their infamous Craigmillar Bond?  Did Earl Bothwell commission the murder to ensure his own love interest with the Queen were sated?

(A rather tenuous link to my Mary Queen of Scots blips 19)

The floral art displays illustrated TV programmes and this attracted my attention with the Dalek from Dr Who getting a Silver Gilt award. (extra) - My contribution for FlowerFriday,