These Vintage Botanical Illustrations Will Have You Gaping in Wonder
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).
Begonia ‘Queen Victoria’
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.
Fragrant Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia odoratissima)
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?
More Videos From Sunset
Air Plant (Tillandsia pulchella)
From Belgique Horticole Vol. 9 (1859). We love tillandsia for so many reasons—check out our care tips for air plants.
Herbert’s Goblet Flower (Cypella herberti)
From Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l’Europe (‘Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe’) (1845–1888).
Night-Blooming Cereus (Selenicereus grandiflorus)
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 (Mandragora autumnalis)
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).
Aztec Lily (Sprekelia formosissima)
From Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l’Europe (‘Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe’) (1845–1888)
Fritillaries (Fritillaria spp.)
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.
Rhododendron ‘Princess of Wales’ (Rhododendron sp.)
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.
Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia)
From Belgique Horticole, Vol. 19 (1869). Even centuries later, this variegated peperomia would make an Instagram darling of a houseplant.
Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
From the Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). Monarda is a longtime favorite of a pollinator garden.
Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
From the Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). Plant marigolds to repel pests, attract pollinators, and pretty-up a salad.
Lady’s-Slipper Orchids (Cypripedium spp.)
From the Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). California lady’s-slipper orchid is an endangered species.
Water-Lily (Nymphaea spp.)
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 (Fragaria spp.)
Strawberries from Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). Japanese farmers brought berry-growing to the West in the early 20th century.
Raffles’ Pitcher-Plant (Nepenthes rafflesiana)
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.
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
From Belgique Horticole, Vol. 13 (1863). Chrysanthemums are a florist’s friend and the champions of the fall garden.
Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles japonica)
From Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). Flowering quince makes an exquisite hedge.
Golden-Rayed Lily (Lilium auratum)
From Belgique Horticole Vol. 9 (1863). Native to Japan, these profoundly fragrant blooms are the largest of any lily species.
Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens spp.)
From Belgique Horticole, Vol. 1 (1851). These stunning species get their common name from the spring-loaded seed pods which explode when touched.
Blue Globe Onion (Allium coeruleum)
From Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l’Europe (‘Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe’) (1845–1888).
Camellia ‘Princess Clotilde’ (Camellia sp.)
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.
