A massive archive of 150,000+ public-domain images—covering hundreds of years!—just went online. So, naturally, we scoured it to find the loveliest plant pictures we could.
It’s not every day that 150,000+ vintage illustrations of the natural world go online, free for all to download and use. But that’s just what happened last week when the Biodiversity Heritage Library uploaded an enormous collection to Flickr, with some images dating back hundreds of years. Naturally, we plunged right in to find the greatest, loveliest botanical illustrations and present them to you, ready to be printed and framed (or turned into tattoos).
From the Belgique Horticole, Vol. 9 (1859). Begonias have us breathing pretty heavily these days, and we know we’re not alone. The detail in this 160+ year old botanical illustration is unreal.
From Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l’Europe (‘Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe’) (1845–1888). We’ve always love the slightly demonic look of Aristolochia — but who knew it could also smell sweet?
From Belgique Horticole Vol. 9 (1859). We love tillandsia for so many reasons—check out our care tips for air plants.
From Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l’Europe (‘Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe’) (1845–1888).
From Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l’Europe (‘Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe’) (1845–1888), a rare flowered version of this cactus.
Mandrake was used in 17th-century witches’ brews, and you can almost tell that fact just by looking at this botanical illustration. From Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l’Europe (‘Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe’) (1845–1888).
From Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l’Europe (‘Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe’) (1845–1888)
From the Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). The detail on this botanical illustration reveals that these species haven’t changed much in over a century.
From Belgique Horticole, Vol. 14 (1851). Rhododendrons are a natural for Pacific Northwest gardens, but a recent blight has caused them to be largely pulled from nursery stocks. Try azalea instead — we love Solar Flare™ Sunbow® from the Sunset Western Garden Collection.
From Belgique Horticole, Vol. 19 (1869). Even centuries later, this variegated peperomia would make an Instagram darling of a houseplant.
From the Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). Monarda is a longtime favorite of a pollinator garden.
From the Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). Plant marigolds to repel pests, attract pollinators, and pretty-up a salad.
From the Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). California lady’s-slipper orchid is an endangered species.
From the Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). If you can’t have your own water feature, you can always frame this botanical illustration as a visual reminder.
Strawberries from Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). Japanese farmers brought berry-growing to the West in the early 20th century.
From Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l’Europe (‘Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe’) (1845–1888). These tropical pitcher-plants make wonderful houseplants for those with a slightly sinister bent.
From Belgique Horticole, Vol. 13 (1863). Chrysanthemums are a florist’s friend and the champions of the fall garden.
From Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). Flowering quince makes an exquisite hedge.
From Belgique Horticole Vol. 9 (1863). Native to Japan, these profoundly fragrant blooms are the largest of any lily species.
From Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851).
From Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). These stunning species get their common name from the spring-loaded seed pods which explode when touched.
From Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l’Europe (‘Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe’) (1845–1888).
From Belgique Horticole Vol. 13 (1863). This is among our favorite camellia varieties; we also love the new ‘October Magic’—find it in the Sunset Western Garden Collection.