Flower Hunter News Today

Ellis Rowan was a skilled and intrepid artist who defied convention. Supporters say she is the perfect subject for Melbourne’s next public statue.

Forget spring blossoms, mid-winter flower arrangements are the new seasonal stunners.

To celebrate NLA Publishing’s 50th birthday, here is a look at ten books from NLA Publishing that contributed to the national cultural conversation.

Uncover the life of Ellis Rowan Artist and naturalist Marian Ellis Ryan was born in the Port Philip District (now Victoria) on 30 July 1848. She was the eldest child of Charles and Marian Ryan, and was always known by her middle name. Her maternal grandfather was natural history illustrator John Cotton, whose sketchbooks she inherited and are now part of the National Library’s collection. 

A quintet of garden books provides a bounty of ideas, whether your space is a field, backyard, or windowsill, and no matter your skill level.

In this exclusive interview with the National Library, Nicky Zimmermann discusses how she drew creative inspiration from the Library’s Ellis Rowan collection for Zimmermanns Spring 21 collection, Nicky Zimmermann How did you come across the work of Australian artist Ellis Rowan? What initially attracted you to Rowan’s flora and fauna paintings and what was it that struck you about her work? I came across a book called The Flower Hunter dedicated to works of Ellis Rowan. Her artwork instan...

Exclusive to the National Library, 8 looks from fashion label Zimmermann’s Spring 21 collection, Wild Botanica, will be on display alongside the Ellis Rowan paintings that inspired their creation. The installation will be in the Library’s foyer for two weeks from 25 February until 11 March. Zimmermann’s Creative Director Nicky Zimmermann was instantly taken by the beautiful botanical artwork of the 19th-century Australian artist and wanted to bring the artworks to life – laying the s...