This book celebrates the botanical rarities cultivated in the famed garden of Empress Joséphine Bonaparte at her chateau Malmaison. Of the 120 plant specimens from around the world in Jardin de la Malmaison, 44 are of Australian origin.  

The illustrations were produced by renowned Belgian botanist and flower painter Pierre-Joseph Redouté. Books illustrated by Redouté are among the most valued botanical books ever produced and his Malmaison volumes are possibly the greatest documentation of Australian plants in France.