New and Rare Beautiful-Leaved Plants

the work

New and Rare Beautiful-Leaved Plants is a book about houseplants published in 1870. It was written by the British horticulturist Shirley Hibberd (1825-1890) and features beautiful illustrations of decorative leaves by Benjamin Fawcett (1808-1893). The book introduces the charms of houseplants, which were rare at the time, and explains how to grow and enjoy them.

Shirley Hibberd Biography

• Born in London , England in 1825 .
• He showed an interest in plants from an early age and taught himself gardening.
• From the 1840s onwards, he was active as an editor of gardening magazines and as a writer.
• In 1870, he published "New and Rare Plants with Beautiful Leaves."
• He has also written many other books about plants , including "The Ivy, a Monograph."
• He died in 1890 (aged 65).

Representative works

• New and Rare Beautiful-Leaved Plants (1870)
• The Ivy, a Monograph (1872)

Characteristics and influence of this book

"New and Rare Plants with Beautiful Leaves" played an important role in widely introducing the appeal of ornamental plants and popularizing their cultivation. In this book , Hibbard explains the characteristics and cultivation methods of various ornamental plants, stimulating the curiosity and interest of readers.

In particular, Fawcett's beautiful illustrations accurately capture the diverse shapes, patterns, and colors of the leaves of ornamental plants in minute detail, and are highly regarded not only for their botanical value but also as works of art. These illustrations have delighted readers' eyes and contributed to fostering a love of ornamental plants.

This book was a catalyst for spreading the new culture of cultivating and appreciating ornamental plants throughout British society, and can be considered an important work that also led to the modern interior greenery boom.