One of the few silver linings of the lockdowns and social or travel restrictions over the past two years has been rediscovering some of the beauty of the natural world. In this case, the colours, shapes, fragrances and textures of blossoms. Hanging from trees, growing on bushes or at the end of stems and stalks, flowers are designed to be attractive; much of what draws insects or animals to them also makes them attractive to human beings, and for centuries flowers have been traded for their decorative and aromatic qualities.
These photos are sourced from two distinct poles: the Netherlands, long at the forefront of the blossom trade and still the world’s largest flower exporter, and Hawaii, which has so many unique tropical blooms. Thailand and Japan are also represented, but flowers have no borders, and they are presented here with little context or introduction. In a socially distanced or locked down world, petals of the natural world are a source of peace and vigour.
