Submitted by Robin A. Jess, Mar 24, 2008 18:12

It has indeed been a feast for the eyes to have HRH Prince of Wales' Highgrove Florilegium on exhibit here in New York. We are fortunate to have had this once in a lifetime opportunity to view these exquisite works.

Your readers who have enjoyed the exhibition might be interested to learn that there is an American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA). ASBA has over 1200 members primarily in the US and also beyond in 24 other countries. ASBA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness of botanical art and to encouraging further development of this continuing artistic tradition. Across the US, botanical artists create beautiful and scientifically accurate works of art. They may portray an endangered species, or a common yet beloved garden plant, or a new orchid on the market. For more information and to find dates for upcoming exhibitions, please visit our website, www.AmSocBotArtists.org. Some ASBA members participate in florilegium societies such as those at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Filoli Center in California.

Coming up in the fall and opening mid-September is the 11th Annual ASBA/Horticultural Society of NY International Juried Botanical Art Exhibition. I hope you will come and see it.

We are grateful to John Goodrich for his astute commentary and to the New York Sun for drawing attention to this art form, which is still very much alive.

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