Welcome to the Society!

The Society is run by a Committee of 12, headed up by the Chair Mary Ellen Taylor. You can email any of the Committee listed at the bottom of your weekly newsletter. They are all volunteers so replies may take a couple of days.

You can follow us on Instagram here. It provides Society news and reminders. We also have a monthly blog (online magazine) with topical articles on the botanical art world which you can find here. Both take a break in holiday seasons. If you would like to contribute, please email our Blog Editor Guy Eves here.

We meet monthly (apart from January, May and August) in the Gallery at The Chelsea Physic Garden. We usually hold our annual AGM in April. Our speaker or workshop are from 1130-1230. Times may vary, so please check the newsletter and the website. Hot drinks and biscuits are provided, please bring your own mug. Access is via a staircase to the first floor above the Garden Cafe.

The Florilegium is comprised of about 70 members, of six categories: 1. Painting Members, who actively paint the plants in the Garden for the Archives. 2. Retired Members, no longer paint but attend Society events. 3. Associate Members attend Society Events but do not paint for the Archives. 4. Honorary Members are by invitation only and contribute in other ways. 5. Fellow Members, are when the Member has contributed three paintings or more to the Archives. 6. Emeritus Members

As a Member you will receive a weekly newsletter on a Monday. This has member reminders, meeting details, member news and Committee contacts. If you are not receiving it, please email the Secretary here.

Our Deputy Chair Gillian Barlow compiles a Plant List from which you can select your plant to illustrate. The latest version of the list is emailed to the members. Have a look at the Garden map below to locate your plant.

Using living material from the garden, painting members submit one painting annually (November) and If judged acceptable by, amongst others, botanists from Kew, the painting is given to the Physic Garden and added to their very fine Collection of work. There is a requirement for these paintings or drawings to be strictly botanical, showing features which identify the relevant plant. 

As a new member of the Society we ask that you give some of your time to get involved. There are always plenty of jobs available, big or small and it’s a great way to make friends! Email the Secretary to find out how.