IN BLOOM EXHIBITION

IN BLOOM

How Plants Changed Our World
19 Mar – 16 Aug 2026

IN BLOOM

How Plants Changed Our World
19 Mar – 16 Aug 2026

IN BLOOM

How Plants Changed Our World
19 Mar – 16 Aug 2026

What do we really know about the plants and flowers in our gardens and window boxes?

Beyond their beauty, many have hidden histories – tales of exploration, obsession, and knowledge.

This major new exhibition takes visitors on a journey from Oxford to the farthest corners of the world and back, uncovering the global 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, In Bloom explores our changing relationship with the natural world.

From the fascinating stories of curiosity and ingenuity of early plant explorers to the networks that shaped global trade, this exhibition reveals how the pursuit of exotic plants transformed landscapes, economies, and cultures, leaving a legacy that still shapes our world today.

In Bloom is the first Ashmolean exhibition to consider sustainability from conception to delivery. Find out more

A Vase of Flowers still life with vibrant red tulips and other flowers, by Dutch artist Simon Verelst

A young woman holds a beautiful bunch of pale pink orchids up to her nose in this painting by the artist Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema, 1879

Study of an Oriental Poppy by May Morris

John Tradescant the Younger as a Gardener portrait - hand on spade

Coloured engraving of banana blossom with life stages of Bullseye moth pictured on the plant by artist Maria Sibylla Merian, 1726

Sunflower illustration by Mary Somerset, 1703

Turkish dish with red and blue tulips and carnations, c. 1565

Duncan Grant Hollyhock, Charleston, Kate Friend, 2019

Black glass flowers contemporary installation by artist Anahita Norouz

Vibrant coloured tapestry showing spring flowers in pinks, purples, yellows and reds with green by artist Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, 2025

Exhibition catalogue

Explore the story of how plants and flowers shaped our world in the lavishly illustrated exhibition catalogue.

BUY THE CATALOGUE

Exhibition audio guide

Enjoy the show's highlights with the audio guide narrated by BBC Gardeners' World presenter Arit Anderson. Choose your ticket and add to your booking.

In Bloom audio guide graphic with small image of narrator Arit Anderson

BUY THE £5 AUDIO GUIDE

Members visit for free and do not need to book, but will need to show proof of Membership on entry to the exhibition.

You can enjoy the exhibition highlights with the In Bloom audio guide narrated by Arit Anderson

Members book your In Bloom £5 audio guide here

Ashmolean Members enjoy unlimited free access to all exhibitions, exclusive preview days and special events, our Members' Magazine sent twice a year, plus shop, café and restaurant discounts. Every Membership supports the Museum.

JOIN NOW

Expand All

Ticket prices

Standard ticket

Ticket prices

£16.20
£18.00 with Gift Aid

FREE Entry (but booking is recommended) for

Members & Patrons, Corporate Members *No booking required*
Under 12s
Carers (see 'Disabled visitors & carers' section, below)
University of Oxford students
Pupils with ASH pass
OU GLAM staff
Museum colleagues (OU Ruskin School, ICOM, UK Museums Association, NMDC members)

Proof of eligibility must be presented with your ticket when you visit.

Half-Price tickets available at £8.10 or £9 with Gift Aid for:

Art Fund members
Children aged 12–17 years and under 25s
Recipients of Universal Credit
NB Available onsite only at the Museum, not for online booking)

Proof of eligibility must be presented with your ticket when you visit.

Disabled visitors & carers

Disabled visitors should book a regular exhibition ticket at full or concession price, depending on eligibility.

Accompanying carers can access the exhibition for free with a ticket-holding disabled visitor, but should please book one of our free 'Carer' tickets for the same time slot.

BECOME A MEMBER
FOR UNLIMITED FREE ENTRY

Membership gives you unlimited access to exhibitions, as well as members-only previews, exclusive discounts in our our shop, restaurant and café, and much more.

Do I need to book in advance?

No, but booking is recommended to guarantee entry.

Is there an exhibition audio tour available?

Yes, a Smartify audio guide is now available to book. It is narrated by Arit Anderson, the presenter of BBC Gardeners' World and features narratives from contributors including historical novelist Philippa Gregory. :

Book your In Bloom audio guide when you book your tickets

The guide is £5 with a full price ticket. You will be offered the guide on our Ticket store once you've selected your tickets and date. The audio guide is £5 for Members and Patrons with free tickets.

Members book your In Bloom guide here

We recommend you buy the Smartify audio tour before visiting the exhibition and save it to your smartphone. Please bring your headphones so you can listen to it on your own device as you enjoy the exhibition. But if you forget them, you can purchase some headphones at our shop or welcome desk.

You can also purchase the tour at the exhibition shop or at the exhibition entrance.

Please note, if you're visually impaired the audio guide is free to listen to on your own device. There is no need to pre-book this, the QR code to the self-guided tour can be requested at the exhibition ticket desk on the day of your visit.

Is the exhibition accessible

Yes. Access to the exhibition is via lift and the entire exhibition is wheelchair accessible. Handheld labels are available.

There is also a level access route from the pavement outside the Museum to the front door. You can read more about Museum access at this link Ashmolean Access Guide

Disabled visitors should book a regular exhibition ticket at full or concession price, depending on eligibility. Accompanying carers can access the exhibition for free with a ticket-holding disabled visitor, but will need to book a free, timed Carer ticket.

I'm a member of the Press and Media, can I request a complimentary exhibition ticket?

For any media enquiries about our exhibitions, please refer to our Press information page.

Can I visit the exhibition free using the NMDC and other museum reciprocal arrangements?

Yes, you can visit our special exhibitions for FREE under the NMDC (National Museum Directors' Council), ICOM (International Council of Museums) and UK Museums Association reciprocal entry schemes.

You will need to bring proof of eligibility (Membership or Staff Card) with you on the day of your visit and present this with your ticket. Pre-booking is recommended.

Please note that these reciprocal tickets are not available to book in advance during the final two weeks of the exhibition. We cannot guarantee free entry for reciprocal status visitors during this time if there is limited capacity and the exhibition is selling out.