RHS Desk Diary 2024 by Royal Horticultural Society (Hardcover, 2023)

Illustrated with exquisite botanical studies of lilies and amaryllis, an elegant desk diary showcasing the art of Priscilla Bury (1799-1872). Bury was a talented botanical artist who taught herself to paint by making studies of the exotic specimens in the glasshouse and gardens of her childhood home, near Liverpool. Over 300 of Bury’s studies were published as aquatints illustrating ‘A Selection of Hexandrian Plants’, 1831-34; the work specialising in plants of the amaryllis and lily families. Now in the Society’s Lindley Collections, the rare book was published by subscription. The diary features over 50 colourful illustrations, drawn from this and an additional eight illustrations contributed to ‘The Botanist’, published 1836. Presented on uncoated matt paper and with a tactile art paper binding, colourful illustrations capture the spectacular colours and forms of crinums, amaryllis, nerines and lilies, from the open form of Lilium candidum to the dramatic turkscap petals of Lilium martagon. A perfect companion for any lover of lilies and spectacular blooms.