Drawn to Nature Exhibition

From Kew to Bedgebury, an extraordinary exhibition returns to the trees that inspired it

Opening Wednesday 15 July. 

Step into the collection and discover the botanical art of the Bedgebury National Pinetum Florilegium Society, displayed outdoors among the very trees that inspired each painting.

These works were first exhibited at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery as part of The Power of Trees at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — one of the world's leading venues for botanical art. Now they come home to Bedgebury, where art and living collection meet.

Art rooted in science

Each painting tells the story of a tree, its beauty, its rarity, and its role in conservation. The Florilegium Society's artists work at the intersection of art and science, creating illustrations that are both visually striking and detailed scientific records, continuing a tradition stretching back centuries.

20 trees. 100 years. One collection.

For the centenary of the National Pinetum in 2025, the artists focused on 20 of Bedgebury's most significant trees, from historic specimens linked to the pinetum's origins to rare species from across the globe. Many are central to research into climate resilience and the future of sustainable forestry.

This milestone also celebrates the long-standing partnership between Kew and the Forestry Commission, which first brought the National Pinetum to life in 1925.

The Bedgebury National Pinetum Florilegium Society documents the tree collection with exceptional precision and care.