Leeds City Council
Librarian Antony Ramm says the books show the “dedication, passion and joy” gardeners share
A gardening book that is thought to have inspired potions in some of William Shakespeare’s most famous works has gone on display.
A new Leeds Central Library exhibition called Unearthed: The Power of Gardening features illustrated guides and manuals dating back more than 500 years.
Books on display include The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes, written by Elizabethan herbalist John Gerard.
The illustrated book is believed to have inspired the playwright when he devised concoctions for Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The free exhibition, which runs until 29 October, includes manuals on the best ways to grow fruit and vegetables, colourful flowers and herb patches.
Leeds Central Library’s special collections librarian Antony Ramm said gardening had the power to bring people together and “shape the world around them”.
“Gardening is one of those rare and wonderful common threads through history which has inspired so much dedication, passion and joy for people from all walks of life,” he said.
“The centuries of accumulated wisdom that we have on display also captures that impulse which generations of gardeners have had to pass on their knowledge and encourage others to create beautiful gardens of their own.”
Leeds City Council
The library is collecting donations to restore some of the books
Another of the books on display is Batty Langley’s New Principles of Gardening from 1728, which includes instructions and diagrams on designing geometric gardens.
The guide is in need of restoration after 300 years of use, with the library hoping public donations collected during the exhibition will enable the book to be repaired.
As well as books, the exhibition features The Speaking Garden, a multimedia installation inspired by the library’s collection and the gardeners of Leeds.
The installation invites local gardeners to submit audio clips about what gardening means to them.
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