Spode has a long tradition of using botanical sources for inspiration for pattern designs. Many of the current Spode products, on both china and earthenware are based on original 19th century designs using botanical and floral themes.

In the early 1800s floral patterns became fashionable - a change from oriental style designs based on Chinese porcelain, such as the Willow pattern, which Spode had produced so successfully.

Botanical was introduced around 1828 as a plain print in one colour . The earliest recorded pattern number is 4565 of c1829 and it is known from marked pieces that this was supplied to the Persian market . This is printed in blue then hand coloured in blue and finished with gilding. The next pattern number 4566 is also Botanical pattern printed in blue and then gilded but without the extra painted blue of 4565. Many different flower subjects were used usually comprising a spray of two large flowers amongst smaller leaves and flowers. The design is a striking one as the flowers appear white on blue rather than blue on white. This is due to the engraving techniques that were employed for the backgrounds: the centres are line engraved, while the 'punch work' background is made up of thousands of small dots.

Botanical was reintroduced as part of The Blue Room Collection in the late 1990s.