SEE A FLORILEGIUM IN AUGUST

Photo of diverse colourful flowers against a blue sky

SEE A FLORILEGIUM IN AUGUST

The Botanic Garden has opened a month-long exhibition, 'Florilegium'.

Published: 1 August 2025

 

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Poster for the exhibition 'Florilegium'

Hosted in the Herbarium Room, this exhibition features prints of plates from the florilegium of Mary Somerset, 1st Duchess of Beaufort (1630-1715). Commissioned in 1703, this collection of botanical paintings captured the diversity of plant collections at the Badminton Estate, which included plants from around the world.

A florilegium is, literally, a 'flower book' – a picture book of flowers where the text or description is minor in comparison. Florilegia can be plant catalogues, albums, and showcases of flowers in a particular garden or region.

This particular florilegium was recently digitised by the Bodleian Libraries and the exhibition provides an insight into the range of the paintings and botanic achievements of Mary Somerset.

The exhibition was launched at an exclusive event on 31 July, at which the present Duke and Duchess of Beaufort were guests of honour. The showcase will continue until Sunday 31 August.

Entry to 'Florilegium' is included in the normal Botanic Garden ticket. More detail here.

 

Image credits: Getty; Oxford Botanic Garden.