Antique botanical prints, like the flowers that they depict, are collected mainly on the basis of their intrinsic beauty. These cakes embrace the bounties of nature in all her natural wonder.

[Photo 1] Maggie LaBaugh of Maggie Austin Cake created this delicately frilly cake with a stem of phalaenopsis orchids as the crowning glory.

[Photo 2] A similar three-tier design is ensconced with romantic pale roses. The refined details of these monochromatic cakes lend drama even in the absence of
vivid color.

[Photo 3]Honolulu designer Katrina Nazareth of The Cake Gallery composed a contemporary vision of the botanical motif in subtle lavender fondant and silhouettes of whimsical dandelions. A wall of paper flower art makes an ideal background for photographs.