A Garden of Pleasant Flowers: Paradisi in Sole Paradisus Terrestris

by John Parkinson

Complete republication of first (1629) great book on England Elizabethan and Jacobean gardens. Remarkably accurate and delightful account describes nearly 1,000 flowers, herbs, vegetables and fruit trees. Includes over 800 woodcuts, Latin and familiar plant names, physical description and indication of plant origins, and much more.

640 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

There is more than one person in the Goodreads catalog with this name. This entry is for John ^ 6 Parkinson, 15th century plant writer.

Reviews

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously, this is strictly speaking not medieval, but Elizabethan/Tudor. A glorious book full of hundreds of possible flowers, herbs, and even fruit trees: a Sears wishbook for the early 17th century gardener. Many are illustrated with woodcuts. When it comes to vegetables and herbs Parkinson gives suggestions for preparing and using as well as growing-- though the man apparently felt everything should be boiled in broth. While away the winter afternoons dreaming of planting historic gardenscapes with these wild selections.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Elizabethan garden survey - so many of these plants are lost now - vital for those interested in garden history or if you want source material for a historical recreation.