Rhs Lindley Library

We're delighted to see this exhibition tour to RHS Garden Harlow Carr! For details of opening hours please visit https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-car r/viewevent…

Wondering what to do with your spare onions? Here's a suggestion from John Parkinson, herbalist and author of 'Theatrum Botanicum' (1640): “make a great onion hollow, filling the place with good treacle.... roast it well under embers.... after taking away most of the outermost skinnes thereof, being beaten together is a soveraigne [most excellent] salve [ointment] for eyther plague sore or putred ulcer” (on second thoughts, maybe don't try this at home!)
Find our more about ...the unusual remedies and recommendations that can found in early printed herbals in our latest exhibition "Healing Garden". https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/viewe vent…
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New dates added due to popular demand! Our 'History of Herbals' tours will also be running at 11am and 2pm on Wednesday 10th October.
These free tours will include a special viewing of the exhibition ‘Healing Garden’ and an opportunity to go behind the scenes at the RHS Lindley Library to see early printed herbals from the library’s Rare Books Collection and find out more about the medicinal uses of plants in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
Places are limited - book now to... avoid disappointment! https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/viewe vent…
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Autumn is here! A new season and a new exhibition. 'Healing Garden' is open now in our public lending library. More details at https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/viewe vent…

We're delighted our Healing Garden exhibition is now open! Discover historic medicinal uses of familiar garden plants and see examples of early printed herbals from our collections: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/viewe vent…

Both our Upper Reading Room and Research Room are back open following our summer closure.
Come and see us!
https://www.rhs.org.uk/…/visit-the-l… /lindley-library-london

#Botanicalbindings Week 52
Our last cover is “The Book of the Royal Horticultural Society”, published in 1863. [061 (4B) Roy]
This beautifully presented book follows the history and progress of the Royal Horticultural Society and the organisation’s connection to the Royal family and the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851. The book has wonderful illustrations throughout with reproductions of important images such as the Royal Autograph paintings and has photographs of... the RHS garden at the South Kensington site, including the impressive glasshouse. It provides a wonderful insight into the Society at an exciting point in its history.
To find out more about more about the library and how to visit us, please see our website: www.rhs.org.uk/educati…/libraries-at-rh s/visit-the-libraries.
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Feeling a little under the weather? Why not try Lemon Balm to "make a merry heart"! This well-known and well-loved garden plant was highly prized by the herbalists of the 1500s and 1600s for its uplifting fragrance, and it is still used and enjoyed today. This illustration - capturing the plant in all its bushy glory - comes from Leonhart Fuchs 'De historia stirpium commentarii insignes’ or 'Notable Commentaries on the History of Plants'. The original volume will be on display as part of our exhibition 'Healing Garden', opening in London on the 10th September. For details visit www.rhs.org.uk/libraryevents

Foxgloves. Deadly poisonous... but did you know that in the 1600s they were recommended as a treatment for epilepsy? We known now that they should not be directly ingested but modern science is revealing new medicinal uses: the anticonvulsant drug digoxin is synthesized, and can only be obtained from, the living material of the plant. Find out more about the medicinal uses of common garden plants in our next exhibition 'Healing Garden' opening on the 10th September. https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/viewe vent…

Historic Marbled Paper - a chance to learn about the history of all those beautiful swirls and patterns! https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/viewe vent…

#Botanicalbindings Week 51
Our next cover is the regal “A Series of Picturesque Views of Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland” by Rev. Francis Morris, published in c.1866-1880. [999 (4A) Mor]
This ambitious set of books covering 6 volumes puts forward a descriptive history of almost every stately home you could think of in Great Britain and Ireland. From Winsor Castle to Castle Howard, these books describe not only the designers, landscapers and design... history of the houses and grounds, but also the social history and the place of these estates in the landscapes and local areas. Filled with beautiful illustrations throughout, the books provide a snapshot into the history of royalty and landed gentry.
To find out more about more about the library and how to visit us, please see our website: www.rhs.org.uk/educati…/libraries-at-rh s/visit-the-libraries.
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Incredible developments in garden design took place during the long 18th century, an era often thought of as dominated by horticultural giant Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.This course will examine the influence of Brown’s style, while also considering the fashion for formal garden design which preceded Brown, the Brown backlash and rise of the picturesque ideal in the latter half of the century.
Tickets: £125 - £150
More info and to book tickets: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/viewe vent…

Mixing classical teachings, folklore and practical observations, the early printed herbals of the 1500s and 1600s make for a compelling read. We'll be exploring these fascinating publications in more detail on our behind-the-scenes tours on the 26th September at the RHS Lindley Library in London. The tours are free but spaces are limited - book now to avoid disappointment! Details at https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/viewe vent…

In our next exhibition we're exploring the recommendations of celebrated herbalists and physicians such as Nicholas Culpeper. In his 'Complete Herbal' he set out the diverse uses of a wide selection of common plants. Valerian - shown here in it's 'wild' and 'garden' varieties - was a popular cure-all for centuries. We now know it is effective as a sedative – its ability to provide rest and relief from symptoms may explain why it was held in such high esteem! Find out more in 'Healing Garden' - coming to the RHS Lindley Library this Autumn. https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/viewe vent…

#Botanicalbinding Week 50 Our next cover is “The Fruit Grower’s Guide” by John Wright, published in c1892. [634.1 Wri]
“The Fruit Grower’s Guide” was published in 3 volumes and has been published with updated revisions over the years. Covering nearly every aspect of fruit growing, maintenance and techniques, these books served as a comprehensive guide to all those interested in producing a bountiful yield of fruit from apples to peaches. Also filled with detailed plates of i...llustrations of different fruit varieties, these books give an interesting insight into fruit production at the end of the nineteenth century.
To find out more about more about the library and how to visit us, please see our website: www.rhs.org.uk/educati…/libraries-at-rh s/visit-the-libraries.
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#Botanicalbinding Week 49
Our next cover is “Town and Home Gardening” by Mrs T. Chamberlain, published in 1893. [968.5 Cha]
Chamberlain was a Fellow of the RHS and her book is built upon a series of lectures on ‘Town Gardening’ presented at various horticultural exhibitions in 1891 and 1892. With an aim to encourage and inspire the amateur gardener in London, Chamberlain calls for plants to be grown on windowsills and terraces to bring colour to the streets of London and off...ers tips and advice in plain language to help budding gardeners.
To find out more about more about the library and how to visit us, please see our website: www.rhs.org.uk/educati…/libraries-at-rh s/visit-the-libraries.
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For centuries we have looked to our gardens to heal our ailments. You might be familiar with medicinal herbs but what about medicinal flowers? In the 1600s, primroses were used to make a 'salve' - an ointment - for healing wounds! We're revealing some surprising uses for familiar flowers in our next exhibition 'Healing Garden'. Find out more about the exhibition and related events at www.rhs.org.uk/libraryevents

#Botanicalbinding Week 48
Our next cover is Rev. W. Houghton's ‘Country walks of a naturalist with his children’, published in 1869. [372 Hou]
This unusual book was intended inspire an interest and curiosity within young people for the countryside. Aimed to be understood by children of nine or ten, the book serves as a written account of various walks the author took with his children and the observations made along the way.
... To find out more about more about the library and how to visit us, please see our website: www.rhs.org.uk/educati…/libraries-at-rh s/visit-the-libraries.
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