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Yvonne Glenister Hammond, “Dahlia Bishop of Llandaff,” 15½ by 11½ inches mounted on paper that is 20 by 14½ inches. ©A.G. Carrick Limited 2007, courtesy New York School of Interior Design.

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HIGHGROVE WATERCOLORS OPEN AT NEW YORK SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGN w/1 cut

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NEW YORK CITY — The Gallery of the New York School of Interior Design presents its exhibition of 75 watercolors of plants, fruits and vegetables growing in the garden at Highgrove, the Gloucestershire residence of HRH The Prince of Wales, on view through April 12.

The works on view have been painted by 48 international artists and depict a selection of botanical varieties from the 15 acres of Highgrove’s garden. The show, organized according to botanical classification, marks the first public display of these watercolors, which are loaned with the permission of HRH The Prince of Wales.

Employing the Latin word for a collection of pictures of plants in a specific garden, the Highgrove Florilegium unites two of the prince’s passions — horticulture and painting — and is produced by some of today’s leading botanical artists.

The works in the Florilegium revitalize the art of botanical drawing and painting, which can be traced back 2,000 years, when florilegia were used to catalog plants with medicinal value.

The Highgrove Florilegium documents the plants in the garden at Highgrove and evokes HRH’s respect for today’s skilled botanical artists. In celebration of this project, HRH The Prince of Wales has written: “Working in a garden or, indeed trying to capture in watercolor the essence of a plant, is not only good for the soul, but it can also help to teach us a fundamental humility that is of crucial importance in today’s world. It reminds us that we are, in truth, a part of and not apart from Nature.”

Alecto Publications Limited of London will produce two volume of the watercolors in a limited edition of 175 copies, the first volume of which will be available in April. A copy of the 61-plate Volume I will be on view at the New York School of Interior Design.

The Gallery of New York School of Interior Design is at 170 East 70th Street (between Lexington and Third Avenues). For information, 212-472-1500 or www.nysid.edu.