O long long stems that twine!
Song of the White Bindweed Fairy from Fairies of the Wayside
O buds, so neatly furled!
O great white bells of mine,
(None purer in the world)
Each lasting but one day!
O leafy garlands, hung
In wreaths beside the way—
Well may your praise be sung!
Cicely Mary Barker (1895–1973) was an English illustrator who spent her life creating influential art and poetry, works that we are honoured to reproduce in partnership with the Cicely Mary Barker Foundation and with the permission of Frederick Warne & Co Ltd.
First published in 1923, Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies blend delicate realism with romantic imagination, awakening a childlike sense of wonder that transcends generations. Her enchanting illustrations continue to be cherished worldwide, a testament to the enduring desire for beauty and storytelling.
Barker’s Flower Fairies came about at the height of the Victorian fascination with fairies, and her books enjoyed huge popularity. These fairies were seen as mischievous but harmless creatures who are caretakers of the natural world, while also being constantly at play. Her attention to detail and the perfect match of each fairy to each flower suggests a sort of poetic truth to their existence.
When we first discovered Cicely Mary Barker’s iconic books, we were so taken that we immediately knew we wanted to find a way to capture the mesmerizing beauty of the Flower Fairies on our journal designs. But with Barker’s extensive repertoire of Flower Fairies illustrations, we didn’t know where to start!
Eventually, after many months of research, testing, and creative inspiration, we came to focus on the White Bindweed Fairy. With influences taken from nature, botany, and childlike innocence, it was the perfect design to capture Barker’s recognizable aesthetic for this design.
With this collaboration, we are excited to bring the beloved Flower Fairies to life in our Fall 2025 collection, inviting new audiences to discover their charm while rekindling nostalgia for those who grew up with the fairies.
We hope this partnership, which was born out of a shared love of storytelling and the excitement of creative collaboration, marks the first of many additions to our Flower Fairies series honouring Cicely Mary Barker’s lasting legacy.
Bindweed Fairy is available as a softcover journal, bookmark, document folder, pencil case, and washi tape set.
FLOWER FAIRIES™ Copyright © The Estate of Cicely Mary Barker, 2025
Licensed by Frederick Warne & Co.
