The Florilegium Society

at Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield, S10 2LN .

The idea to form a Society whose members would illustrate the planting in the Botanical Gardens, Sheffield was first proposed in 1995, about the time the Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society was formed in London. It was hoped something similar could be established in the north and Sheffield seemed to be the most suitable location, using the talents in botanical art that were beginning to emerge from the University of Sheffield.

Early in the new millennium the idea became a reality, resulting in the successful launch of the Florilegium Society, with Valerie Oxley as Chairman, at the Sheffield Botanical Gardens in April 2002. Supportive letters were sent from the Vice Chancellor of The University of Sheffield, Professor Robert Boucher, The Director General of the Royal Horticultural Society, London, Dr Andrew Colquhoun, The Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Professor Sir Peter Crane and the Curator of Art and Principal Research Scholar at the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Pittsburgh, Mr James White. The ‘supporters’ became Patrons and the Society is very proud of the continued connection with the great institutions the Patrons represent, as it is of affiliations with the Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society, London and The Florilegium Society at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York.

In 2007 the Society welcomed three new Patrons; Dr. Brent Elliot, Historian and Lindley Librarian, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, Professor Stephen Hopper the new Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London and Judith Magee Collections Development Manager, The Natural History Museum, London.

The Society has nearly seventy active associate and full members who enjoy a programme of workshops and lectures and informal painting mornings throughout the year.