Description
Botanical Cards
Bring the beauty of nature to your correspondence with our packs of botanical cards. Featuring two cards of each design, they are perfect for adding a splash of colour and elegance to your personal notes or thoughtful gifts, each set features beautiful illustrations of plants and flowers.
In 1703, Mary Somerset, first Duchess of Beaufort, commissioned Everard Kik, a Dutch botanical artist, to create a series of paintings. These showcased the extraordinary variety of plants she had grown from seeds sent to her from all over the world. They later bound the final collection of 178 paintings into a two-volume album, a “florilegium.” Badminton House holds the album, where Mary lived and grew many of her plants.
Reflecting on her passion for plants, Duchess Mary once wrote, “When I get into stories of plants, I know not how to get out.” Her legacy flourishes at Badminton, where her early interests have shaped the stunning gardens and glasshouses that captivate visitors.
In 2024, for the first time in 300 years, the public had the opportunity to view these works of art. The exhibition provided a rare glimpse into the Duchess’s phenomenal botanical collection. These artworks showcase the diverse flora Duchess Mary nurtured and her influence on scientific exploration and cultural appreciation of nature.
Available in nine different pack variations we are sure that you’ll find a set of botanical cards you’ll love.
