The plant-lore & garden-craft of Shakespeare

"The Plant-Lore & Garden-Craft of Shakespeare" by Henry Nicholson Ellacombe is an investigation into the plants and garden methods referenced in William Shakespeare's writings. Published in the late 1800s, the book works to understand the importance of botanical elements mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays and poems. The book acts as both a study of literature and a gardening handbook, filled with quotes, comparisons, and plant descriptions made for people who like reading and gardening. The book begins by stating the author's goal which is to demonstrate how much Shakespeare enjoyed flowers and gardening by analysing the writings. Ellacombe is trying to show Shakespeare’s love for nature and how it relates to Elizabethan England, explaining that the flower references are important parts of the stories and their themes. The author thoroughly studies the plant-lore in Shakespeare’s writings, promising to examine every plant mentioned along with historical details related to them.