Explore beautiful prints from The Book of the Flower Fairies—a charming mix of floral illustration and fairy tale magic for your walls or crafts.
On a recent mooch around a London antique shop, I stumbled upon a small stack of prints that immediately made me smile—Cicely Mary Barker’s enchanting Flower Fairies. They were delicate little fairies dressed in flower petals, perched among blossoms.
These illustrations blend my favourite things—botanical art and charming vintage children’s illustrations. So whether you’re here for the flora, the fairies, or just a bit of nostalgic magic, you’re in for a treat.
A Bit About Cicely Mary Barker
Cicely Mary Barker (1895–1973) was a British illustrator best known for creating the Flower Fairies series. She published The Book of the Flower Fairies in 1923, combining her love of nature, children, and the divine with her incredible talent for illustration. Each fairy in the book is based on a real flower or plant, with botanical accuracy that would please any keen gardener—and each one is paired with a sweet little poem.
Barker’s fairies weren’t your typical fantasy sprites—they were often modelled after real children from her sister’s nursery school, giving them a gentle realism and warmth. The result? Fairies that feel like they could be living at the bottom of your garden.
Who Will Love These Prints?
These Flower Fairy illustrations are perfect for:
- Lovers of vintage children’s books and illustrations
- Botanical art fans looking for something a little more whimsical
- Crafters, scrapbookers, and junk journalers
- Parents decorating a nursery or child’s room
- Anyone who needs a bit of fairy magic in their life!
Print them for your wall, use them in handmade cards, or flip through them with a cup of tea—these fairies will surely bring a little joy.
How to Download the Flower Fairy Prints
I’ve divided the Flower Fairies into three lovely seasonal groups—just as they appear in Cicely Mary Barker’s original book: Spring, Summer, and Autumn.
Each fairy illustration has a title above it. If you like one, click on the title above the image. This will open a high-resolution version of the print in a new tab. From there, you can either save it to your device or print it straight from your browser. They’re all in the public domain.
Spring Flower Fairies
Before the spring fairy illustrations, Cicely had written a spring poem.
The World is very old;
But year by year
It groweth new again
When buds appear.
The World is very old,
And sometimes sad;
But when the daisies come
The World is glad.
The World is very old;
But every Spring
It groweth young again,
And fairies sing.
Snowdrops are like winter’s little secret—delicate white bells that sneak up to whisper, “Spring is on the way!
With its cheerful yellow petals, the celandine flower is one of the first wildflowers to appear in spring. Despite its delicate look, it’s a hardy little plant that thrives in cool early spring weather.
“Windflower” is another name for the Wood Anemone.
Print 5: Dandelion Flower Fairy
Elizabeth Blackwell’s Curious Herbal features a lovely dandelion flower print and many more wildflowers.
Print 6: Daffodil Flower Fairy
The site has a beautiful collection of daffodil botanical prints and a simple tutorial on drawing daffodils.
The primrose is one of the first signs of spring, with its soft yellow petals and delicate fragrance brightening woodland paths and grassy banks after the long winter.
Print 9: Bluebell Flower Fairy
Check out these beautiful bluebells on the site.
Print 10: Wood Sorrel Flower Fairy
With its delicate, clover-like leaves and dainty pink or white flowers, Wood sorrel carpets forest floors in spring and petals close at night or in the rain like a tiny woodland clock.
Print 11: Lords & Ladies Flower Fairies
Lords and Ladies, also known as cuckoo-pint, is a striking woodland plant with glossy arrow-shaped leaves and a hooded green spathe that hides its unusual purple spadix—often appearing in early spring before growing vivid red berries in summer.
Print 13: Heart’s Easy Flower Fairy
Heart’s ease, also known as wild pansy or viola tricolor, is a cheerful little flower with purple, yellow, and white petals. It is traditionally associated with love, remembrance, and soothing emotional heartache—hence its charming name.
Summer Flower Fairies
SPRING GOES, SUMMER, COMES
The little darling, Spring,
Has run away;
The sunshine grew too hot for her to stay.
She kissed her sister, Summer,
And she said:
“When I am gone, you must be queen instead.”
Now reigns the Lady Summer,
Round whose feet
A thousand fairies flock with blossoms sweet
Print 15: Buttercup Flower Fairy
Sorrel is a zesty, leafy plant with bright green, arrow-shaped leaves and tiny reddish flowers. It is often found in meadows and woodlands. Its sharp, lemony flavour has made it a favourite in kitchens and folk remedies.
Print 17: Forget Me Not Flower Fairy
There is a wonderful collection of poppy prints on the site.
Print 19: Foxglove Flower Fairy
Print 20: Wild Rose Flower Fairy
The site has two collections of rose flower prints: vintage botanical rose illustrations and paintings from garden catalogues.
Print 21: White Clover Flower Fairy
Nightshade is a striking yet toxic plant known for its glossy purple-black berries and star-shaped violet flowers. Although beautiful, its poisonous nature has steeped it in folklore and caution.
Print 23: Heather Flower Fairy
With its tiny purple or pink blooms and sweet, earthy scent, Heather is a hardy moorland plant that blooms late in the summer and has long been associated with protection, good luck, and Scottish folklore.
Print 24: Scabious Flower Fairy
The scabious flower, often called the pincushion flower, is a delicate wild bloom loved by bees and butterflies. Its soft, frilly petals, in shades of blue, purple, and pink, brighten up meadows and cottage gardens.
Print 25: Thistle Flower Fairy
Print 26: Scarlet Pimpernel Flower Fairy
The scarlet pimpernel, often dubbed the “poor man’s weather glass,” is a tiny, star-shaped wildflower with vivid red or orange petals that close up when rain is near—a charming and clever little bloom found in fields and hedgerows.
Print 27: Greater Knapweed Flower Fairy
Greater knapweed is one of my favourite flowers; it’s a bold, thistle-like wildflower with vibrant purple blooms and ragged petals.
Print 28: Ragwort Flower Fairy
Autumn Flower Fairies
THE BERRY-QUEEN.
An elfin rout,
With berries laden,
Throngs round about
A merry maiden.
Red-gold her gown;
Sun-tanned is she;
She wears a crown
Of bryony.
The sweet Spring came,
And lovely Summer;
Guess, then, her name—
This latest-comer!
Print 29: Robin’s Pincushion Flower Fairy
Robin’s pincushion is a fuzzy, red, and green growth found on wild rose bushes caused by a tiny gall wasp. Its whimsical, cushion-like appearance has made it a curious favourite in countryside folklore.
Print 30: Elderbery Flower Fairy
There are some vintage acorn prints in this collection of woodland botanical prints.
Print 32: Horse Chestnut Fairy
The horse chestnut tree bursts into autumn with clusters of glossy brown nuts nestled in spiky green husks. This striking symbol of the season also holds a cherished place in traditional remedies and folklore.
Rose hips are wild roses’ bright red or orange fruit, appearing in late summer and autumn. They are packed with vitamin C and traditionally used in syrups, teas, and jams, adding a splash of colour and boosting health to hedgerows.
Crab apples are small, often brightly coloured fruits that grow on ornamental apple trees. They are bursting with tart flavour and are commonly used in jellies, chutneys, and cider. Crab apples also provide a vibrant feast for birds and wildlife in autumn.
Beechnuts are the small, triangular seeds of the beech tree encased in spiky husks that split open in autumn. They provide a crunchy treat for wildlife and a charming sign of the changing seasons.
The Privet has spikes of very strongly scented white flowers in early summer.
“The sloe is a wild plum. One bite will set your teeth on edge until it has been mellowed by frost, but it is not poisonous.“
There is a collection of lovely holly illustrations on Pictureboxblue.
A Final Sprinkle of Fairy Dust…
I hope you’ve enjoyed wandering through the magical world of Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies as much as I have. There’s just something timeless about her delicate illustrations and the way she brings each flower—and its fairy guardian—to life. Whether you’re printing them for crafts, decor, or to admire, they’re sure to add a touch of charm wherever they land.
If you’re still in a fairytale mood, you might also love the enchanting world of John Bauer’s fairytale art prints. His illustrations are a little moodier and more mystical but just as magical. Perfect if you fancy a deeper dive into fairy folklore and vintage storybook charm.
If you fancy, you can Buy Me A Coffee Here.
Iantha
Tuesday 8th of April 2025
Beautiful illustrations, and they're free!
claire
Wednesday 9th of April 2025
Yes they are all in the Public Domain and free to use as you wish.