Why 2024 is the year of the LEGO Botanical Collection

10328 Bouquet of Roses is a fine example of how the LEGO Botanical Collection continues to grow in all sorts of interesting ways, and why 2024 truly belongs to this most creative of LEGO themes.

Some of the best LEGO sets in recent years, including many that are available today, take simple concepts and blend them with intelligent building techniques to produce the most effective, authentic and engaging LEGO experiences.

The fact that almost every LEGO Botanical Collection set continuously delivers on that premise even in its fourth year on shelves says everything you need to know about this theme, and demonstrates why for many adults it’s now the go-to collection for some of the most satisfying and beautiful LEGO models out there.

We’ve already eulogised over 10369 Plum Blossom and 10368 Chrysanthemum and likewise marvelled at how the likes of 10370 Poinsettia and 10340 Wreath come together to create such organic, natural shapes out of man-made, hard plastic, but 2024 began with one of the simplest and cleverest sets to come out of the Botanical Collection: 10328 Bouquet of Roses.

Releasing in January and perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day and the rush of more casual LEGO fans discovering the perfect gift for their intended, you could easily be forgiven for looking at this set through cynical eyes – as something more opportunistic than creative; as a product more money-focused than artistically driven.

Yet such is the realism and beauty that is caught within these dozen roses, split across three different designs for four flowers each, that 10328 Bouquet of Roses sits as the first and most prominent example of how in 2024 the LEGO Botanical Collection design team discovered a new level of realism to their work, with results that speak for themselves.

This is not to criticise any of the sets from the theme’s first three years of existence, as there are some equally strong creations to admire, but it is 2024 that has seen the theme find its stride and seemingly not look back. 10328 Bouquet of Roses is a skilfully-created LEGO set, capturing three stages of a rose’s growth and bloom across different length stems and three different builds for the flower head.

Each of the three designs is crafted from similar but still different techniques that demonstrate efficient, clever LEGO building – some parts are upside down, others are connected with clips and bars rather than via studs, and some of course benefit from those large, rounded pieces that represent the petals.

The balance between semi-unique pieces (none of the petal parts appear only in this set) and the subtle-but-smart ways in which other parts are used can only be the product of concentrated study, and of deep appreciation and understanding for the artistic way in which one of the world’s most iconic flowers comes to be.

Importantly, that is then translated into a LEGO build that is as interesting and engaging as it should be without feeling repetitive to advanced builders (and that’s even though it consists of three types of design repeated four times), nor uninviting for the less-experienced builders among us.

Indeed, the design team talk in the instruction booklet about striking ‘the perfect balance between challenging techniques and a satisfying flow’, and it’s a fine summary for what putting 10328 Bouquet of Roses together feels like.

It moves pretty fast for a LEGO Botanical Collection set and you are done a lot sooner than you may be expecting for the real estate that the final model fills, but it’s not too short of a build either – the balance is indeed nicely struck, offering a satisfying and wholly unique LEGO experience that leaves you with a very convincing and quite brilliant final model. Now to find a vase…

The bouquet is as authentic as we can imagine flowers built out of LEGO could be, but to properly demonstrate how 2024 has really seen the Botanical Collection push on, think back to 2021 and how we were all equally impressed with 40460 Roses. Compare those now to 10328 Bouquet of Roses, and the contrast in texture, design and realism is night and day, and the same goes for a majority of what has come before in the Botanical Collection theme. Beginning with 10328 Bouquet of Roses and continuing through the year, everything from the past 12 months is a cut above.

The best LEGO themes can do that – they can develop ideas and techniques as they progress, and the result is ever-better LEGO sets, and it’s a delight to see that creative journey fully explored through such a collection of colourful and interesting creations. LEGO Art is another theme that does this, Icons and Creator 3-in-1 likewise can find moments of advancement too.

But 2024 ultimately belongs to the Botanical Collection for just how consistently impressive and wholly unique every set this year has been. What could otherwise have been a dull, repetitive, uninspired and predictable concept – LEGO flowers and plants – is instead now offering up some of the best and most satisfying LEGO experiences, and 10328 Bouquet of Roses is the perfect example.

This product was provided by the LEGO Group for review purposes.

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