Elysium Britannicum, or the Royal Gardens

This work offers a detailed exploration of seventeenth-century horticulture, showcasing John Evelyn's extensive knowledge and illustrations in Elysium Britannicum, or the Royal Gardens.

This book provides a comprehensive collection of the horticultural knowledge and wisdom that flourished during the seventeenth century. It features detailed drawings of garden layouts, diagrams illustrating innovative inventions for the cultivation of plants and trees, and plans for both artificial and natural enhancements to the land. Each element is designed to contribute to the overall beauty and functionality of gardens, showcasing the artistry and practicality of garden design during this period.

In a letter to Sir Thomas Browne, John Evelyn expressed his ambition to refine the particulars concerning the adornments of gardens. He aimed to create a work that would be beneficial for individuals from all walks of life who had an interest in gardening. In Elysium Britannicum, or the Royal Gardens, Evelyn indeed succeeded in producing a rich and valuable document that encapsulates the horticultural expertise of his time. As a garden designer and a founding member of the Royal Society, he interwove practical, literary, and philosophical perspectives into landscape architecture, thus establishing the first extensive encyclopedic resource on gardening.

Though Evelyn never witnessed the publication of his monumental work, John E. Ingram's recent transcription of Elysium Britannicum, or the Royal Gardens makes this important manuscript accessible to scholars. This transcription, which includes Evelyn's extensive notes and illustrations, reveals the challenges he faced in writing for a rapidly changing intellectual landscape, while also preserving the intricate complexity of his original ideas and designs.