Colorado Shakespeare Gardens
self-guided tour
orange.png

Much Ado About Nothing

The orange you see in this garden is a modern sweet orange (Citrus x sinensis) rather than a Seville orange. Seville oranges are a sour fruit, much too sour to eat directly from the tree. Rather the kitchens of the wealthy made use of oranges in their cookery. Even today, preserves of Seville oranges -- what you call marmalade -- are widely favored in England.

Much Ado About Nothing

 

In Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare’s plant references are used to draw out his themes of love and deception. The frequent references to roses, particularly in Claudio's description of Hero, symbolize romantic beauty and purity, highlighting the idealization of love. Additionally, botanical imagery enhances the playful banter between Beatrice and Benedick, as they often liken their relationship to elements of nature, reflecting their complex emotions. The garden setting serves as a perfect backdrop for pivotal moments, emphasizing growth and renewal.

 

Special thanks to longtime CSF supporter and thespian Chuck Wilcox for voicing the part of The Bard in our video series. Full production credits available here. All photos copyright Colorado Shakespeare Group except those in the public domain, published under Creative Commons (CC) licensing. For more information on (CC) artwork in this video, click here.

Enjoy this slideshow of the plants we have in our Much Ado About Nothing garden: