My Photo Journal: Fleur de Villes Exhibit (2025) at the Royal Botanical Gardens Canada: Downton Abbey Theme

There are random moments - tossing a salad, coming up the driveway to the house,
ironing the seams flat on a quilt square, standing at the kitchen window and looking out at the delphiniums,
hearing a burst of laughter from one of my children's rooms - when I feel a wavelike rush of joy.
This is my true religion: arbitrary moments of of nearly painful happiness for a life I feel privileged to lead.
― Elizabeth Berg, The Art of Mending
How truly privileged I feel! To be able to witness the incredible beauty and creativity on display during the 2025 Fleur de Villes exhibit at the Royal Botanical Gardens last weekend brought a truly humbling sense of awe and gratitude, The Downton Abbey-themed celebration showcased the artistic talents of Southern Ontario floral designers who did not disappoint with their thoughtful and painstakingly crafted creations. I cannot imagine how many hours of effort must have gone into putting this show together but the results are spectacular!

Whether you love flowers or gardens, if you happen to be in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) or around Burlington, I strongly urge you to drop by and explore this floral extravanganza. The exhibit runs until September 21, 2025. Below are a few photos I took of the marvellous displays but there is so much more to see and experience in person.

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Printable Vintage Botanical Illustrations: Victorian Nosegays by Henriëtte Geertruida Knip

Two botanical illustrations of Victorian nosegays by Henriëtte Geertruida Knip (1783–1842); oiginally found on Wikimedia here and here.

A nosegay, posy, or tussie-mussie is a small flower bouquet. They have existed in some form since at least medieval times, when they were carried or worn around the head or bodice. Doilies are traditionally used to bind the stems in these arrangements. Alternatively, “posy holders”, available in a variety of shapes and materials (although often silver), enable the wearing of these arrangements at the waist, in the hair, or secured with a brooch.

The term nosegay arose in fifteenth century Middle English as a combination of nose and gay (the latter then meaning “ornament”). A nosegay is, thus, an ornament that appeals to the nose or nostril.

The term tussie-mussie (also tussy-mussy) comes from the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901), when the small bouquets became a popular fashion accessory. Typically, tussie-mussies include floral symbolism from the language of flowers and therefore may be used to send a message to the recipient. In modern times, the term specifically refers to small bouquets in a conical metal holder, or the holder itself, particularly when used at a white wedding. [Source: Wikimedia]

Digitally enhanced versions (by Field & Garden) of the botanical illustrations (seen above) can be downloaded as 12” x 18” @ 300 ppi JPEGs here and here.


Digitally enhanced reproductions of public domain fine art are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Free Vintage Outdoor Illustration: Sisters on a Swing 2

That's the best thing about little sisters: They spend so much time wishing they were elder sisters that in the end they're far wiser than the elder ones could ever be.
― Gemma Burgess

In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring, and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit.
― Marge Kennedy

19th century illustration of two sister and their mother in the garden savouring the waning days of summer. The older sibling is helping to push her younger sister on a hammock swing strung between two trees. 8.5” x 11” @ 300 ppi JPEG without a watermark here.


From my personal collection of ephemera. These images are to be incorporated into your creative works. Not for resale “as-is.” Credit to FieldandGarden.com appreciated but not required.