A Coming of Age : Celebrating 18 Years of Botanical Painting for the Eden Project

The Society was founded in 2000 to record plants in Cornwall and those held at The Eden Project in particular, which opened its gates to the public in the same year.

There are over 140 paintings in the archives donated by 31 different artists, many of whom exhibit nationally and internationally and hold RHS Gold medals for their work. `Each artist donates their time and their paintings generously to The Archives and The Trustees of The Eden Project.

In gratitude and in order to acknowledge their generosity, skill and talent, this book has been written and compiled to help bring their work to a wider audience and demonstrate the quality of botanical illustration held by the Trustees.

I hope it inspires our current members (of which there are 22 actively painting) to continue to paint and document this inspirational collection of plants, and others to join. This is my gift to these very special people.' Ros Franklin, Chairman of the `Flori'. `The Eden Florilegium Society creates artworks that not only celebrate the real beauty and diversity of the Plant Kingdom but also stand up to scientific scrutiny.

The society's members invest their own time and resources to produce these truly exquisite, scientifically accurate illustrations of some of Eden's favourite plants.' - Chris Bisson Policy Development Manager Eden Project `It is essential that florilegias should continue to exist.

In our adapting world with so many environmental changes, both natural and man-made, a true botanical study of a plant is as relevant today as it was in the 18th century.' - Mally Francis FLS, FEPFS . `When you view the works in the Florilegium, try to quell any impatience you might have and dwell a little time on each work.

By looking closely you see into the wonder of living things, their complexity and their total fitness for purpose.

Only by allowing yourself this luxury of time can you feel that tingling go up your spine which signals a glimpse of something very special.' - Sir Tim Smit KBE