Although flowers were cultivated by the Ottomans before the time of Süleyman I., the artistic renaissance that took place during that sultan's reign made itself felt in the case of horticulture as well. The attention of foreigners visiting the Ottoman Empire was attracted by the flowering gardens, especially those in Istanbul. Nearly all of them commented on the abundance of flowers in their writings and emphasized that this was a feature of Ottoman gardens. (Lacquer work binding, TSM EH2857.)