This postcard, posted in 1915, shows carpet bedding in West Park, Wolverhampton. Carpet bedding is the planting of blooming plants close together into a clear design. Here it depicts the union jack and words ‘England expects that every man this day will do his duty’. The practice of carpet bedding began in the Victoria era and was popular in the early 20th century. These public displays attracted people into town parks and were used to cultivate a sense of civic pride, showcasing written messages and emblems, as well as new ideas.
Ref: 2019.104