Paradisi in sole paradisus terrestris, or, A garden of all sorts of pleasant flowers which our English ayre will permitt to be noursed vp
 a kitchen garden of all manner of herbes, rootes & fruites for meate or sauce vsed with vs, and, an orchard of all sorte of fruitbearing trees and shrubbes fit for our land, together with the right orderinge, planting & preseruing of them and their vses & vertues

by John Parkinson

"Paradisi in sole paradisus terrestris, or, A garden of all sorts of pleasant flowers which our, English ayre will permitt to be noursed vp" by John Parkinson is a botanical guide written in the early 17th century. This work serves as a comprehensive treatise on the cultivation of various types of plants, herbs, and fruits, providing detailed information about their planting, care, and uses. The text not only covers the practical aspects of gardening but also includes reflections on the significance of nature and its divine creation as presented through the beauty of flowers and plants. The opening of this book features several dedications, including one to the Queen, highlighting the author's intent to appeal to higher social classes who may appreciate and patronize the art of gardening. In this initial section, John Parkinson introduces his ambitious project to compile a comprehensive resource on gardening, seeking to surpass previous herbals by detailing both ornamental and edible plants appropriate for English climates. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of understanding the natural order of gardening and advises on the ideal conditions for cultivating a variety of plants, setting the stage for the in-depth exploration that follows in subsequent chapters.