The Price of Legend

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Capability Brown, during the 18th century designed over 170 parks.

He has been called "England's greatest gardener."

He planted many of what are today referred to as "Heritage" trees.

I wonder what one of his parks would look like in Aurora

Posted by Anonymous to Our Town and Its Business at 23 April 2014 13:13

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In 1956 the worst fog  in history enveloped London for weeks. Thousands of elderly and  people with bronchial problems suffocated  and died. 

The government  was forced to take action  and institute smoke-free  zones. . Only anthracite,
non- sulpherous - smoke- producing hard fuel could be burned. Gradually the zones were extended  until London's air once again  became breathable. 

Old photographs of  urban centres anywhere in the U.K.  show grime and  greyness of constantly smoking chimneys. 

The first thing that impressed me about Canada  was how high and how blue was the sky.

Years after  prohibition on  coal burning  , Harrow-smith gardeners'  magazine did a study on the 
effect on English  gardens. 

The Legendary gardens were no more. Turned out pollution was good for growing and vibrancy of colour. 

The same  effect can be noticed  around Hamilton ,Ontario . You can feel the grit between your teeth 
but rambling roses  climb the chain link factory fences and multiply like dandelions. 

I think  parks in England were probably similarly affected. They don't  experience  heat and extremes of temperatures like ours,  They  have four distinct seasons.  They likely still have beautiful flower beds. But not like they were in the  smoke and soot-filled atmosphere of the nineteenth 
and twentieth century.