Gilbert was the
son-in-law of John Rea.
Gilbert wrote The Florists Vade-Mecum
(1682). Subsequent editions were published in 1683,
1690, 1693, and 1702. This book went into many
editions and apart from the astrological aspects was
thoroughly practical. It has been called "one of the
most charming of later seventeenth century gardening
books" (Rohde, 1924). He listed 30 varieties of roses
which were cultivated at that time in gardens.
