FLORILEGIUM (flôrəˈlējēəm), n. a collection of illustrations featuring plants from a specific garden or region.

The Grootbos Florilegium is a unique collection of botanical illustrations by a collaboration of local and international artists. The collection depicts the rare, endangered and charismatic plants of the Cape Floral Kingdom that can be found on Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and its surrounding regions. What makes the collection even more distinctive is the inclusion of insects, pollinators and other creatures associated with the flora of the fynbos.

Unmistakably Unique

Explore what makes the Grootbos Florilegium an experience like no other

An African First

Though florilegia have enjoyed a long and illustrious history, Grootbos is proud to present the first contemporary florilegium in Africa. Never before has the legendary Cape fynbos been celebrated in this way.

Celebrating an ecosystem

A distinguishing feature of the Grootbos Florilegium is the inclusion of insects, pollinators and other animal “friends” of the fynbos. In this way, the collection tells the story of the greater ecosystem that exists in perfect balance.

Creative collaboration

The Grootbos Florilegium is a meeting of like-minded individuals. The collection brings together both local and international botanical artists. Though each artist is unique, they are connected by a passion for telling stories through art.

An artistic home

In addition to their botanical portraits, each artist also creates a second page featuring associates, plant anatomy or magnifications of finer detail. The complete collection of artworks is to be housed at a dedicated botanical art gallery on the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.

Global possibilities

The team has made it possible for the original artworks to be transferred to extremely high-quality prints. This enables the works to be owned and shared by more people, and opens up the possibility for travelling exhibitions.

A lifelong custodial commitment

More than simply an art collection, the florilegium represents the Grootbos commitment to celebrating and preserving its abundance of fynbos. The collection of artworks is yet another means for the promotion, protection and conservation of a unique natural wonder.

An African First

Celebrating an ecosystem

Creative collaboration

An artistic home

Global possibilities

A lifelong custodial commitment

Visit the Florilegium website and explore the wonders of the Grootbos Florilegium

Visit Florilegium Website

An Immersive Botanical Experience

Conserving the Cape Floral Kingdom has always been an integral part of the Grootbos philosophy. For over 25 years we have been working to preserve our natural heritage, and botanical art is just one of the ways we aim to celebrate and protect this unique biome.

Explore the vast beauty of the Grootbos reserve and discover its unique floral ecosystems. Then visit our botanical art gallery where the diverse flora found on the reserve is depicted in exquisite detail through the intricate narratives of the botanical art pieces.

The unique botanical artworks of the Grootbos Florilegium reveal the intricate details of our unique biome, which can be experienced while enjoying the unique activities on the Grootbos reserve, from botanical drives, to nature walks, horse riding and more.

In celebration of our botanical heritage, the presence of the Florilegium can be felt throughout your experience at Grootbos. From the art adorning the walls, to the furniture and decor, and in various aspects of the dining experience, guests will notice elements of the Florilegium.

25 Years of Fynbos Research

124 Plant Species Illustrated

250 Original Artworks

29 South African Artists

15 International Artists

4 Years To Complete the Collection

173 Different Pollinator Species Illustrated

10 000 Combined Hours of Painting

The Artists and their craft

Learn more about the talent and technique behind the botanical artwork.

Our Artists

Grootbos has brought together over 44 highly acclaimed botanical artists from around the world to tell the stories of the unique fynbos of the region through their art. This remarkable group of artists includes a host of South Africa's best botanical artists, as well as many talented international artists. The collection comprises over 124 original art pieces and each artist’s work represents a unique perspective on the breathtaking Cape fynbos.

To delve deeper into the world of these remarkable artists and their breathtaking botanical interpretations, explore our artist profiles on the Florilegium website.

Intricate, Detailed Masterpieces

Each piece of art requires a detailed look into the plant’s unique anatomical structure along with a broader view of its role in the ecosystem. Artists utilise the finest of technical drawing skills as they work from live specimens. The artists ensure the longevity of their work by using archival, fade-resistant materials and acid-free hot-pressed watercolour paper. Working with the finest brushes enable the artists to capture the most intricate details of these beautiful plants.

For an even closer look at the intricate details of these beautiful plants and the artists' meticulous techniques, we invite you to visit the Florilegium website, where you can explore the complete collection of botanical masterpieces.

Discover The Untold Story Of The Grootbos Florilegium

A permanent home to the Grootbos Florilegium

Explore This One-Of-A-Kind Gallery

A first Of Its Kind In The Southern Hemisphere

The Hannarie Wenhold Botanical Art Gallery draws on art, science and storytelling to share the treasures of our botanical heritage. This innovative space is a masterpiece of architectural design. Each consecutive room within the gallery highlights key ecological themes of the Cape Floral Kingdom. These themes captivate the nuances of this unique environment and serve as a call to action to conserve our vulnerable botanical heritage.

Art For A Better World

The Grootbos Florilegium was born to capture the region’s unique biodiversity and share it with the world. The botanical portraits carry the stories of the specimens and their environment, and are intended to inspire people to conserve and promote the region’s wondrous ecosystem. Through educational and conservation-based initiatives we are striving to change global thinking by growing a broader conservation-minded community.

Explore the Florilegium beyond its physical home, visit the dedicated Florilegium website, where you can immerse yourself in the botanical wonders of the Cape Floral Kingdom from anywhere in the world.