Discover the Real Flowers Behind These Iconic Arts and Crafts Wallpapers – and How to Grow Them

The Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century was all about botanical imagery, in an effort to unite the garden and the home. William Morris wallpapers became the epitome of this, with winding stems, layers of leaves, petals and fruits all making up instantly recognizable patterns. One of the best ways to bring this sense of whimsy to your own yard is by growing the plants behind the designs – from strawberries to honeysuckle.

William Morris was a British writer, designer and craftsman. His influence became critical during the increasing industrialization of the Victorian era, where he advocated for a return to traditional crafts and meaningful work – both principles that became central to the Arts and Crafts movement. Through his company, Morris and Co., he created detailed patterns inspired by nature, having researched historical printing and dyeing methods.

Many of William’s designs feature species that are grown today across temperate climates. By looking at the plants behind the famous patterns, it's possible to gain an appreciation of how nature influences decorative design. Here, I talk through five special flowers in Arts and Crafts wallpapers, and how you can grow them in your own garden.

1. Strawberry Thief – Inspired By Woodland Strawberry

The Strawberry Thief pattern depicts a thrush amongst strawberry plants.

William was inspired to design this print after witnessing this garden bird stealing strawberries from his own garden at Kelmscott Manor in Oxfordshire, England.

It's thought that the strawberries in question are what is commonly known as woodland or alpine strawberry, Fragaria vesca. This variety is a low-growing perennial ground-cover plant that spreads by putting out runners.

The leaves and white five-petalled flowers are the same as the standard strawberry and the edible fruits produced are sweet and delicately perfumed.

The alpine or woodland strawberry grows best in light shade, preferring moist, well drained soil and like a standard strawberry, enjoys soil rich in organic matter. Native to Europe where they grow wild and in gardens, they are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4-8.

Explore the Strawberry Thief collection at Morris & Co.

Find woodland strawberry seeds on Amazon.

2. Honeysuckle – Inspired By Common Honeysuckle

The honeysuckle in this William Morris design is most likely to be the common honeysuckle, again a European woodland plant.

It’s a twining, deciduous climbing vine that grows by wrapping its stems around supports such as trees, or in gardens can be grown along a fence or trellis.

The honeysuckle produces highly fragrant, two-lipped, tubular flowers in a white to cream shade, attractively flushed pink on the outside, which provide nectar for insects.

It flowers from mid-late summer, followed by glossy red berries in the fall. Honeysuckle grows successfully in USDA hardiness zones 4-9, preferring a well-drained soil and either full-sun or partial shade.

Explore the Honeysuckle collection at Morris & Co.

Find a honeysuckle plant at Fast Growing Trees.

3. Pimpernel – Inspired By Scarlet Pimpernel

Spiralling stems, curling leaves and full-blown tulips are the main focus of this print, but look closely and you will notice smaller flowers.

Designed in 1876, it seems counterintuitive to have named the print ‘pimpernel’ when in fact the larger tulip blooms are the main emphasis, but clearly William had his own reason for dotting this tiny flower into his design.

The scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) is a native wildflower in Great Britain. It’s a low-growing, creeping annual that produces tiny orangey-red star-shaped flowers and can be grown from seed.

The pimpernel thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5-10, blooming from mid-summer to early fall.

Explore the Pimpernel collection at Morris & Co.

Find scarlet pimpernel seeds on Amazon.

4. Woodbell and Anenome – Inspired By Bluebell and Wood Anemone

The English bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is grown from bulbs and spreads quickly in part-shade. In spring, the 12-18" tall, erect stems bear arching racemes of mid-violet blue tubular flowers and glossy linear dark green leaves.

The bluebell is a native wildflower in England and thrives beneath deciduous trees, particularly Fagus sylvatica (beech) where it forms a carpet of color in the spring.

This bee-friendly bluebell is easy to grow either in a woodland setting or mixed with other spring flowering bulbs in a part-shaded plot in hardiness zone 4-8.

As for Anemone nemorosa, wood anenome is a low-growing perennial bearing small white petalled flowers with a pale yellow center. The flowers open during the day but close at night and during colder weather.

Look closely and the flowers will be flushed pinkish lilac on the reverse.

The palmately-lobed leaves are usually bright-mid green and the plant will spread happily beneath trees where there is plenty of soil rich in leaf litter.

The wood anemone can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 5-7.

Explore Woodbell and Anenome wallpaper at Morris & Co.

Find English bluebell bulbs on Amazon and wood anemone seeds on Amazon.

5. Golden Lily – Inspired By Martagon Lily

Interestingly, this famous print which is so often attributed to William Morris was designed in 1899, three years after William’s death, by John Henry Dearle, head designer at Morris & Co.

The design depicts a lily with reflexed petals amongst swirling stems and other blooms. Martagon or Turk’s Cap lilies are tall (3-5 feet) and need a lot of space.

They should be planted 6-8 inches apart in a part-shade position in well-drained, hummus rich soil.

In early summer, they bear large racemes of elegant, downward-facing flowers with outward-curved petals in colors varying from red through to pale pink, and in shades of pale yellow to gold.

Martagon lilies are a great plant for pollinators and attractive to beneficial insects.

Tolerant of cooler temperatures, this lily is suitable for growing in hardiness zones 3-9. Beware though, the Martagon lily is a plant toxic to cats.

Explore the Gold Lily collection at Morris & Co.

Find martagon lily bulbs on Amazon.

Shop William Morris Garden Accessories

The flowers in Arts and Crafts wallpapers reflect William Morris's appreciation of the natural world and the traditional craftsmanship, which was the heart of the Arts and Crafts movement that he helped to shape.

The real plants that he observed in his own garden, transformed into the familiar prints we know today, show that his creations are more than just ornament. They serve as a celebration of nature and a quiet reminder of his stand against industrialization and a commitment to preserving skilled crafts.

For more inspiration, read our article on Gravetye Manor's Arts and Crafts garden ideas – one of the most important British gardens in the movement.

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