Henry Nicholson Ellacombe
The plant-lore & garden-craft of Shakespeare
"The Plant-Lore & Garden-Craft of Shakespeare" by Henry Nicholson Ellacombe is a detailed exploration of botanical references and gardening practices found in the works of William Shakespeare, written in the late 19th century. This work serves as both a literary analysis and a gardening guide, aiming to uncover the significance and context of the plants Shakespeare mentions throughout his plays and poetry. Ellacombe’s text is rich with quotations, comparisons, and botanical descriptions that cater to both literature enthusiasts and gardening aficionados. The opening of the book introduces the author’s motivation to prove Shakespeare’s appreciation of flowers and gardening through his writings. Ellacombe expresses his intent to illustrate Shakespeare's love of nature and how it reflects the environment of Elizabethan England. He argues that Shakespeare's references to flowers are not merely ornamental but deeply embedded in the narrative and thematic structure of his works. Through various passages, the author sets the tone for a thorough examination of the plant-lore present in Shakespeare’s texts, promising to analyze every plant Shakespeare mentions, along with cultural and historical insights related to each.