Cottage garden

Said to originate from the 1340s when the Black Death killed off many labourers. For the first time there was enough land for each cottage to have its own garden. Plants were originally grown for medicinal purposes & cooking. Violets were cut for the floor of the cottage to keep out vermin & release their scent.
The Arts & Craft movement saw the revival of the cottage garden, this time with solely decorative planting.