Ashmolean Museum: In Bloom — How Plants Changed Our World 19 March – 16 August 2026 | Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
What do we really know about the plants and flowers in our gardens and window boxes? Beyond their beauty, many carry hidden histories — stories of exploration, obsession and the pursuit of knowledge.
This major new exhibition takes visitors on a journey from Oxford to the farthest corners of the world and back, uncovering the global stories behind some of Britain's most beloved blooms — from roses and tulips to camellias and peonies. Featuring over 100 artworks and objects, including drawings, paintings, rare prints and ceramics, In Bloom explores our ever-changing relationship with the natural world.
From the remarkable curiosity and ingenuity of early plant explorers to the networks that shaped global trade, the exhibition reveals how the pursuit of exotic plants transformed landscapes, economies and cultures — leaving a legacy that continues to shape our world today.
