FLOWERS will unify a special afternoon session at Carisbrooke Castle Museum on Tuesday, with three presentations running across one packed out afternoon.

English Heritage historic properties steward, Sue Wilson, will kick things off with an illustrated talk detailing the wild flowers that can be seen in the castle grounds.

"The Castle grounds support a wide diversity of wildflowers which on examination reveal a closer link to the historical inhabitants of Carisbrooke Castle than presumed at first glance," said Sue.

"We will not only be looking at the common, beautiful and also rare plants found in our grassland and walls, but also investigating the reasons why some of these plants are found there.

"Some of these are themselves keys to the past lives in the Castle."

Science historian and museum speaker, Nick Minns, and curatorial assistant, Kate Tiley, will then help visitors discover how flowers are featured within Carisbrooke Castle Museum collections ­— with a special focus on costume, art and postcards.

"For centuries, people have used flowers and nature as inspiration for new clothing styles," said Kate.

"In the museum collection this includes dresses of the 1800s, when the influence of the natural world on textile design was part of a wider public fascination with flora and fauna.

"Examples from the collection show how particular flowers had different meanings and displaying them on your clothes would send a certain message.

"This includes a handmade silk waistcoat to be worn at a wedding, embroidered with flowers that would be appropriate for the celebration."

Nick will concentrate on the floral art of individual plants in his presentation, before going on to consider representations of gardens in the museum collections.

To book your place, or find out more about Carisbrooke Castle Museum’s winter programme of talks, contact info@carisbrookecastlemuseum.org.uk, or call 01983523112.