In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World

About In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World

What do we really know about the plants and flowers in our gardens and window boxes? Beyond their beauty, many hold hidden histories – tales of exploration, obsession, and knowledge.

In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World is a major new exhibition that takes visitors on a journey from Oxford to the farthest corners of the globe, uncovering the fascinating 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 – the exhibition explores our changing relationship with the natural world.

From the curiosity and ingenuity of early plant explorers to the global networks that shaped trade, In Bloom reveals how the pursuit of exotic plants transformed landscapes, economies, and cultures, leaving a legacy that continues to influence our world today.

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Tickets

Tickets for this major exhibition will be available to book later in the year.

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Booking information

Tickets for In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World will be available to book later in the year.

Visitors who are Ashmolean Members can enjoy unlimited free access to this major exhibition, along with exclusive benefits including Members’ Exhibition Previews, special events, and discounts in the museum shop, café, and restaurant.

Ashmolean Members are invited to the Members’ Exhibition Preview on 18 March 2026, offering an early opportunity to explore the exhibition before it opens to the public.

Membership also includes a twice-yearly magazine and helps support the museum’s work and programmes. For those considering joining, becoming a Member ensures free access to all exhibitions and a range of exclusive experiences throughout the year.