FLORA 250: Celebrating the genius of William Withering

In 1776, Wellington-born medic and botanist Dr William Withering published The botanical arrangement of all the vegetables naturally growing in Great Britain. This modern British ‘flora’ – the first of its kind – became the standard text on botany for almost a century.

Flora 250 marks this anniversary with an eclectic programme of events taking place across the year here in Withering’s home town. A celebration of his life, legacy and love of the natural world, the programme will include art exhibitions, botanical walks around local landscapes and floral-themed workshops.

So, watch this space for further details. We plan to launch the programme on 17th March – Withering’s birthday – and alongside our initial schedule of events we anticipate more being added throughout the year. We have no external funding for Flora 250, so it’s all coming together thanks to local groups pooling their own energy and resources to make it happen, with Wellington Town Council helping to promote and coordinate.

Logo design by Wellington-based artist Caris Jackson