Celebrating Jane Austen’s Life with a Book Giveaway of In the Garden With Jane Austen

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Celebrating Jane Austen’s Life with a Book Giveaway of In the Garden With Jane Austen

July 15, 2011 by Vic

Instead of commemorating Jane Austen’s death at 41 on July 18, 1817, I would like to celebrate her life with a book giveaway of In the Garden With Jane Austen by Kim Wilson. It is a slim hard-back book filled with color photographs. In it Kim discusses the gardens that Jane Austen would have known and visited.

This contest will end on July 18th at midnight, EST. The winner will be chosen by random number generator.

To leave a comment, please let me know which flower you would leave behind at her grave. Update because of a confusion: A comment enters you into the contest. CONTEST CLOSED: Congratulations Eileen Landau! Your comment about a tussie-mussie was chosen by Random.org

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Posted in jane austen, Jane Austen's World, Popular culture, Regency gardens | Tagged book giveaway, In the garden with Jane Austen, Kim Wilson | 122 Comments

122 Responses

on July 15, 2011 at 08:05 Farida Mestek

I would leave lilies-of-the-valley – sweet, pretty and modest.
- on July 16, 2011 at 09:45 candace
  
  I would leave carnations because of their long lasting, enduring
  quality like her stories.
on July 15, 2011 at 08:10 Anita Golubowska

On Jane’s grave I would like to leave cream herbal rose for it speaks for all Janes qualities of her art as a writer: beauty of her stories and characters, quality of her quotes, and enduring usage of Janes advices to women all over the world. If I met Jane in real life I would wish to hug her and thank her for inspiring my life xxx
on July 15, 2011 at 08:23 Rachel

Well, someone already left these, but I would chose the lily of the valley. Not only for their beauty, but because they symbolize a return of happiness. I get such pleasure from reading Ms. Austen’s novels.
on July 15, 2011 at 08:33 Malinda

I would leave daisy’s. One of they things they symbolize is loyal love and simplicity.
on July 15, 2011 at 08:40 LaurenG

I would prefer to leave a small nosegay with lilies of the valley, mint, and a rose or two. The fragrance is delicious and fresh, and the rose symbolizes love-all appropriate!
on July 15, 2011 at 09:15 Diane Spigonardo

I would definitely leave white and yellow roses for Jane presenting all the friendships she made while she was alive and beyond.
on July 15, 2011 at 09:15 Enid Wilson

Perhaps some futuristic medicinal flowers, that can bring Jane Austen back in life.

Chemical Fusion
on July 15, 2011 at 09:16 Chyrl

An anemone symbolizes love that is diminishing and waning hopes. I’m sure Jane realized she would not have a long life and there were many more things she would like to have accomplished.
on July 15, 2011 at 09:18 Nancy Matthews

Forget – me – nots are my flowers of choice, interspersed with the humble buttercup. A simple but colorful remembrance.
on July 15, 2011 at 09:20 Harry Birkenhead

I would leave her a Camelia which symbolizes gratitude. This would thank her for the wonders she has given to all of us in writings.
on July 15, 2011 at 09:36 sagecat22

I would leave a small bouquet of forget-me-nots, buttercups ad lily-of-the-valley. Something I could see Jane having picked and carried to her room often herself for comfort and inspiration.
on July 15, 2011 at 09:59 Lindsay

I would leave Jane some of my favorite flowers, hydrangeas. I think she would have loved them.
on July 15, 2011 at 10:15 Gail

I would leave Jane a garden of colorful flowers for her to sit and glance at the vibrant colors and inhale the fragrances. She would appreciate the beauty of nature!
on July 15, 2011 at 10:47 Jennifer

Roses always make me think of english gardens and Jane, so I would leave a bouquet of those.
on July 15, 2011 at 10:54 Kirk

A very moving idea! I went to Winchester Cathedral and was very emotional. I don’t know too much about flowers but like the idea of the yellow and white roses.
on July 15, 2011 at 11:00 Jane Elizabeth Vendetti Brakhage

I, too, would leave some white roses. I really like white roses and think they would be very appropriate. :-)
on July 15, 2011 at 11:15 Maria Horvath

I would leave at least a dozen yellow roses, for friendship.
on July 15, 2011 at 11:24 kelly mann

I would leave some peonies. They are so beautiful and delicate.
on July 15, 2011 at 11:25 Bon

I would leave white lillies; they bespeak elegance and innocence.
on July 15, 2011 at 11:36 Q

Primrose ~ sweet and unassuming!
on July 15, 2011 at 11:49 Patricia Pérez Miguel

I would leave some white and pink roses, which are my favourite.
on July 15, 2011 at 11:50 witchofstitches

I would leave a little nosegay of pansies.
on July 15, 2011 at 11:51 Judy Sobek

I would leave my favorite – lilacs. Their fragrance reminds me of the awakening of spring.
on July 15, 2011 at 12:03 CJ

I’d probably leave Paper Daisies or what we like to call Everlasting flowers here in the Philippines. As the name suggests these flowers have really long lives, much like how Jane is, because her story lives on through her literary masterpieces.
on July 15, 2011 at 12:20 Marjorie Gilbert

I would leave columbine, which are elegant and precious.
on July 15, 2011 at 12:59 Eileen Landau

Me thinks a tussie-mussie would be most appropriate.
on July 15, 2011 at 13:04 Jacinta

I think any flower would do, however I would pick red roses for the love that she had for her family and other people.
on July 15, 2011 at 13:09 Becky

I would leave forget me nots.
Becky
on July 15, 2011 at 13:17 Anne Hardock

Jane Austen has given me so much happiness over the years–it is lovely to think of a gift of flowers to show my affection. Since others have suggested lilies of the valley, roses and peonies, I am going to choose a big bunch of pale yellow stock since I find the fragrance absolutely wonderful.
Thank you for your terrific blog!!
on July 15, 2011 at 13:35 Teresa

I too thought of leaving forget-me-nots. I have been reading from the Cambridge Guide to Jane Austen and she definitely did want to be known and appreciated for her writing.
on July 15, 2011 at 13:41 Anna

I would leave her a garden rose.
on July 15, 2011 at 13:41 Kristen Sherman

I would leave a little nosegay of rosemary (remembrance), amethyst flowers (admiration) and mini purple calla lilies (beauty). Jane Austen is my favorite author and after learning more about her life, my admiration of her beautiful stories has grown. I wish she were alive today to see how far reaching her popularity is and how her words have touched people all over the world.
on July 15, 2011 at 13:42 Karylee Feldman

I would hope to leave a crocus tommasinianus, lovely butter-cupped bowl of satiny purple, centered with a bright and hopeful yellow-orange burst in its center… they grow them to this day at Chawton Cottage, and I would hope their popping up to dazzle had brought smiling breath to Jane throughout moments of her last Spring…
on July 15, 2011 at 13:54 Mellie

I was also thinking along the lines of forget me nots and rosemary (for remembrance) as an indicator of the lasting enjoyment of her work and to demonstrate that she has not been forgotten.
on July 15, 2011 at 13:57 Jacqueline Sport

I agree with the choice of Camellia -which denotes appreciation. As one who only discovered her work with the movie “Becoming Jane” several years ago, I cannot TELL you the number of hours of pleasure and escape her stories have brought to my life. She has become my personal research project- I love to read all I can about her life and works. So wish I could spend an afternoon in the garden with her, drinking tea!
on July 15, 2011 at 14:14 Mary

Hibiscus in South Korea means “immortality”. Jane Austen’s words live on forever. :-)
on July 15, 2011 at 14:22 Doris

I would leave purple variegated bearded irises–my favorites and I think Jane would also love them
on July 15, 2011 at 15:24 Lorraine

wow wouldn’t it be amazing to sit in the garden on the cover sipping tea with jane hersel! If the garden had my favorite peonies growing in it would be heavenly!
on July 15, 2011 at 16:30 Renee

Lilies of the Valley tucked around pale pink David Austin roses would be a pretty addition to her memorial. I would love to stand and pay my respects to the gentle soul that continues to make our world a more refined and romantic place.
on July 15, 2011 at 16:30 Orianne

A single rose. We know from Jane’s letters that she could poke sarcastic fun to the point of scathing insensitivity, but under it all was a heart and intellect that has shared some of the truest and most enduring stories of wit, love, and compassion in the english language. A blooming rose, beautiful, bold, and delicate despite its thorns, would be fitting.
on July 15, 2011 at 17:29 Debra Brown

I would leave her an orchid, but in a pot, and I hope someone would take care of it. Does the book have Austen quotes? Then it would be perfect. Either way, please enter me in the drawing.
on July 15, 2011 at 17:35 Kathryn Schultz

I would leave a nosegay of lovely wild violets. My grandmother loved them, and she and Jane Austen remind me of each other.
on July 15, 2011 at 17:49 Jeannette J

Zinnias, which grow in my garden, because of their cheerful colors. And, they last a long time after they are cut
on July 15, 2011 at 17:57 Karen Field

I am taken with lilies of the valley for their simple beauty and lovely fragrance, but I love all of the above reasons for other people’s choices. I, too, visited her grave at Winchester Cathedral, last year, and tears sprang to my eyes almost immediately. Thanking God for His gifts in my life is a natural part of my everyday life and my first thoughts were to thank Him for her gifts and how He uses her to bless me everyday when I read her or think on her works.
on July 15, 2011 at 18:08 Nicki

Thank you for the giveaway, I would leave Sweet William……they are my favourite.
on July 15, 2011 at 18:22 Anna of Thither

On Jane’s grave I would place the blooms she loved so much and planted in their own garden in Southampton, “for the sake of Cowper’s line”: syringa and lauburnum.
on July 15, 2011 at 18:30 evajoy

I would leave lilies of the valley, roses, or daises. One delicate, one beautiful, and one modest.
on July 15, 2011 at 18:44 pinkseele

I would leave a garland of sampaguita – simple, sweet and pure.
on July 15, 2011 at 18:59 Val

Sunflower for the amounts of cheer and happiness she has brought to all our lives.

Does this post enter me into the book give-away? If not, how do I enter?
- on July 15, 2011 at 20:26 Susie
  
  I agree Val! I am confused as to the rules of entry too. Great posts here, but who’s to say how many times responders are entering, with no posted guidelines…
  - on July 15, 2011 at 21:01 Vic
    
    You may enter as many times as you would like, Susie, but most people, as far as I can tell, are entering only one comment.
- on July 15, 2011 at 21:00 Vic
  
  Yes, this post enters you, as only comments are needed to enter. The winner is drawn by random number generator.
on July 15, 2011 at 19:41 husted

A gardenia. It’s scent lingers like no other flower.
on July 15, 2011 at 20:18 Susie

I would have to leave two flowers: one would be a flower that might have been meaningful for Jane, and this book might help me determine that; the other would be meaningful for me: I would want something apparently common, but with an overwhelming delicate beauty that takes your breath away, and a complexity one would appreciate even more deeply when viewed close up! Problem is, I’m still debating on what flower that might be… No worries, I’ll decide before I get there!
on July 15, 2011 at 20:29 Suzan

I would like several others leave lilies of the valley. I love the smell and the delicacy.
on July 15, 2011 at 21:13 Laurie

I would like to leave her a bouquet of flowers from her garden, one of everything that she planted and loved to grow. I would also tuck in a thank you note for bringing my life such joy from her writings.
on July 15, 2011 at 21:31 Margay

This looks like a cool book! Would love to have it!
on July 15, 2011 at 21:47 jennifer

I’m going with Lupines, symbolizing imagination – both hers and what she’s done for mine. I like the wild nature of them.
on July 15, 2011 at 22:15 Gayle Mills

I would leave a gardenia because the scent is divine.
on July 15, 2011 at 22:41 Edith Engelauf

I would leave Lavender Heather for my admiration and yellow Zinnia for remembering such an awesome woman and writer.
on July 15, 2011 at 22:48 Krystall

I would leave a segment of a lilac bush! simple sweet and full of love
on July 15, 2011 at 22:51 Linda

I would leave Pansies for remembrance, in the language of love, Water Lilies for eloquence and Canterbury Bells for Gratitude. For I am grateful for her eloquence in writing of her society and will remember always the wonderful hours spent reading her books.
on July 15, 2011 at 23:14 Janeen

I would leave two… a yellow rose for the ‘friend’ she has been through her books and and white daisies because they are just simply beautiful, like her!
on July 15, 2011 at 23:47 Liz M.

I would leave her a peach colored rose bouquet.
on July 15, 2011 at 23:48 Liz M.

I would leave her a small peach colored bouquet.
on July 15, 2011 at 23:52 Liz M.

I’d leave her a small peach coloured rose bouquet.
on July 16, 2011 at 00:02 Elizabeth Tomlinson

I would leave a sprig of rosemary for remembrance
on July 16, 2011 at 01:02 Dana Huff

I know a lot of people consider them weeds, but I love the smell of honeysuckle. I would try to put together a nosegay of honeysuckle and lavender, two of my favorite scented flowers.
on July 16, 2011 at 02:07 Jazmin

Delicately scented pink and red roses around her resting place would be a delight for Jane Austen’s spirit to revisit, as well as for her many admirers to enjoy.
on July 16, 2011 at 03:10 Mariya T

I would leave red roses which represent sincere Love, Respect, Courage & Passion, since Jane Austen wrote about all these things and inspired many through her novels, and also because she herself never married.
on July 16, 2011 at 05:22 amanda white

I have left some rather large tulips (at least I think they are) in her garden at Steventon.
http://www.amandawhite-contemporarynaiveart.com/index.aspx
The coincidence of the book and my finishing this picture so recently was too tempting to resist!
But for her grave ! would leave a single white old-fashioned garden rose.
on July 16, 2011 at 07:19 Ruth Williamson

I would leave sweet william on her grave as a token of her love of the countryside and its flowers.
on July 16, 2011 at 07:19 Corinna

I would leave her a small bouquet of hand-picked meadow flowers
on July 16, 2011 at 09:04 ElizzyB (@SalonJaneAusten)

An evening primrose :)…just because it’s simple and beautiful :)
on July 16, 2011 at 10:15 plastic cards

I would leave a segment of a lilac bush! simple sweet and full of love
on July 16, 2011 at 10:28 Elizabeth

I would leave Lavender because I love the smell.
on July 16, 2011 at 10:38 Sandra

I would leave a bunch of violets as I think Jane would also love them.
on July 16, 2011 at 11:55 Char Brooks

I would leave daisies–a simple and happy flower.
on July 16, 2011 at 13:15 Laine

I would leave purple lilac – one of her favourites, and one that is a symbol of love, a subject that she wrote much about. She and I have much in common in that we both like lilacs and both had/have Addison’s.
on July 16, 2011 at 15:28 Sylvia

I would leave white roses on her grave. I just love roses.
on July 16, 2011 at 15:47 Rosalind Gordon

Jane Austen mentions hyacinths in Northanger Abbey, so this is the flower I would leave. If she had been buried in a churchyard instead of Westminister Abbey, I would have planted some bulbs so that they would come up every year. Rosalind
on July 16, 2011 at 16:18 Tammy

I would leave purple daisies for they are beautiful and simple and bring joy just as Jane Austen did.
on July 16, 2011 at 17:07 Katie

I would like to leave foxgloves.
on July 16, 2011 at 17:27 Rebecca

I would leave daffodils.
on July 16, 2011 at 18:21 Elizabeth

I would leave lilacs/syringa, one of Austen’s favorites, and gardenias, one of mine.
on July 16, 2011 at 19:02 Vera

I would leave some forget-me-nots. Because forgetting Jane Austen is what we shouldn’t.
Besides, the colour is very pretty.
on July 16, 2011 at 20:34 Jo

I would leave baby’s breathe. They are simple and though they are sometimes unnoticed, this type of flower is beautiful when it has a chance to be noticed.
on July 16, 2011 at 21:31 Ann

A gardenia.
Ann
cozyintexas@yahoo.com
on July 16, 2011 at 21:32 Sasha Orr

I would leave peace lilies because they are beautiful and represent love, compassion and peace to a grieving family!
on July 16, 2011 at 22:34 Laurie

I would leave for her a peony…full of beauty like her books.
on July 16, 2011 at 23:02 Karen K.

I would leave a bouquet of irises, my favorite flowers. They’re elegant and classy, just like a Regency lady.
on July 17, 2011 at 01:19 Jocelyn

I would leave a nosegay of violets with some aromatic herbs. It’s simple and beautiful and smells divine.
on July 17, 2011 at 10:17 Denise

Since Jane Austen books are my favorite books, I would leave a morning glory, my favorite flower.
on July 17, 2011 at 13:07 melanie jarvis

I would leave a big bunch of wild flowers, as Maryann Dashwood said she much preferred these to hot house flowers!
on July 17, 2011 at 13:09 Stephanie Marcellus

I would leave some of my favorite flowers pansies; they’re simple and sweet but beautiful.
on July 17, 2011 at 13:23 Mystica

I would like to leave sprigs of light blue hydrangeas!
on July 17, 2011 at 16:29 fourgreytowers

I would place some of the wild orchids which now grow in abundance in her native Hampshire but which would have been a very rare and exciting new species in her day.
on July 17, 2011 at 17:03 ANgelina Barbin

I would leave a bouquet of sweetpeas. They signify goodbye or a departure. To me the flowers are cheerful and youthful.
on July 17, 2011 at 17:22 Kaitlin

I would leave a bouquet of English Lavender….
on July 17, 2011 at 19:11 MizB

Lilacs…definitely lilacs.
on July 17, 2011 at 19:58 Jo

English Lavender–everytime I see or smell the fragrance, I think of her and Elizabeth. I wonder why she chose that fragrance for my favorite character.
on July 17, 2011 at 20:23 carol d.

a sprig of myrtle, perchance it might take root and remind all of everlasting…..affection and thus love
on July 17, 2011 at 20:30 Angela Sweby

A posy of wild meadow flowers would be my choice as Jane spent many hours walking through fields and meadows. Fragile poppies, lupins, wild honeysuckle, yarrow, columbines and fragrant chamomile and lavender would make a perfect little posy to please the eye and restore the spirits.
Thank you so much for this wonderful giveaway. I would love the opportunity to win this beautiful and inspiring book.
Angela
http://www.john.sweby@btinternet.com
on July 17, 2011 at 20:32 Lou

A small nosegay of sweet peas: they are so tender and lovely
on July 17, 2011 at 23:07 Polly Kopp

I would leave forget-me-nots, appropriate for her longevity.
on July 17, 2011 at 23:36 Jessica Flinders

I would leave violets. They do not grow tall, they don’t dominate. Yet they are so vividly coloured and scented they improve every garden and boquet.
on July 18, 2011 at 01:33 Birdsong

So many good choices! I saw several of my favorites listed, lily of the valley, roses, daisies. I am growing hollyhocks and black-eyed susans this year, and would probably want to put together a mixed bouquet of all of these, along with lavender.
on July 18, 2011 at 02:12 mj

I think I’d leave chrysanthemums, because “Persuasion” (my favorite) is so steeped in autumn imagery.
on July 18, 2011 at 03:13 Sarah

I would leave her a bouquet of blue hydrangeas — their delicate and soft look and unique color are a perfect fit for our lovely and unique Miss Austen.
on July 18, 2011 at 09:55 Vidya

Lillies.. most defnitely… with love

Vidya
on July 18, 2011 at 10:16 Jessica Volz

What could be more appropriate than a bouquet of forget-me-nots?
on July 18, 2011 at 10:29 In Memory of Jane Austen ~ July 18, 1817 « Jane Austen in Vermont

[...] Ms. Place’s Jane Austen’s World Blog: Jane Austen’s Final Hours; On the Anniversary of Jane Austen’s Death; and Jane Austen’s Last Days to include a selection of letters; and a post by Tony Grant, Events in College Street, July 18, 1817; this year, Vic offers a book giveaway in celebration of Austen’s life: http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/celebrating-jane-austens-life-with-a-book-giveaway-… [...]
on July 18, 2011 at 11:30 shelly

I would leave some sunflowers because I think she should be remembered with sunshine and joy.
on July 18, 2011 at 14:48 In Memory of Jane Austen ~ July 18, 1817 (via Jane Austen in Vermont) « Austenprose – A Jane Austen Blog

[...] Vic at Jane Austen’s World remembers Jane Austen’s life with a book giveaway of In the Garden with Jane Austen. [...]
on July 18, 2011 at 16:23 Joan

I would leave a bouquet of myrtle, ivy, lily of the valley, sweet William and hyacinth. That is what Kate Middleton carried at her recent wedding and they are related. The lily of the valley represents the return of happiness; sweet William means gallantry; hyacinth is for the constancy of love. Both ivy and myrtle represent both love and marriage. In fact, myrtle is the emblem of marriage.
on July 18, 2011 at 17:08 Danielle

I would leave an orchid. They are beautiful as a single flower; you don’t see them in bouquets. You never need more than one to appreciate its beauty. Just as Jane was beautiful being single (had she gotten married she may have been lost in the “bouquet of marriage”), we are able to appreciate her as a person.
on July 18, 2011 at 20:14 janice

Queen Anne’s Lace
on July 18, 2011 at 22:12 Bren

Bluebells carpet the most ancient forests of England and are as much a part of Her heritage as Her greatest authors. As a symbol of the great contribution to the English literary world and beyond, I would gift the Authoress with bluebells.
on July 18, 2011 at 22:55 Beverly Sobolewski

A bouquet of violets would be lovely. They are suitable for carrying or making a wreath for the hair. Picture Jane Bennet in Pride & Prejudice or Catherine Morland in Northanger Abby enjoying them in equal measure.
on July 18, 2011 at 23:43 Becca A.

I would leave a boxwood rose. Simple, romantic, each colour symbolizes a certain degree of reltionship. They’re a classic, just like Miss Austen herself.
on July 19, 2011 at 00:23 Mary Ellen Bertolini

I would leave lavender and roses. I imagine Elizabeth and Jane Bennet drying them to make scents.