The Florilegium

Book excerpt: The Florilegium Society at The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney was formed in 2005 to create a unique collection of contemporary botanical paintings of significant plants that represent the history of the living collections of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust.This beautifully produced book is a celebration of 200 years of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney,showcasing the botanical richness of these Gardens through the eyes of 64 exceptional Australianand international botanical artists. The stunning botanical paintings are presented chronologicallyaccording to the date of each species' introduction to the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney and its BlueMountains Garden, Mt Tomah and the Australian Garden, Mt Annan. With paintings of indigenousAustralian plants as well as more exotic species from Asia, the Americas, Africa and Europe, TheFlorilegium truly reflects the diversity of the three Gardens.Each painting is accompanied by a botanical description written by Louisa Murray and a historicoverview by Colleen Morris detailing the discovery of the featured species, its historic and culturalsignificance and introduction to the Gardens. With a foreword by Dr Shirley Sherwood OBE, prefaceby Dr Brett Summerell, RBG Sydney Director of Science and Conservation, and an introductory essayby Beverly Allen.The accompanying exhibition of the same name runs from February - August 2018 in the ShirleySherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.'The standard of the plant portraits is so high and the text so illuminating that this will make amemorable book.'Dr Shirley Sherwood OBE