The LEGO® Botanicals theme continues its impressive run with the recently announced Dark Flower Arrangement. Unlike previous buildable bouquets, this set includes a simple platform to mount the brick-built blooms, creating a colourful display that doesn’t require an additional vase or pot. This functional setup also makes it incredibly easy to customise with other Botanicals sets. Ahead of its official release next month, here is a closer look at what the Dark Flower Arrangement has to offer.
Product Details
Set Name: Dark Flower Arrangement | Set Number: 11513 | Pieces: 562 | Theme: Botanicals
Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Sticker: n/a | Minifigures: n/a
RRP: £54.99/59.99€/$59.99/99.99AUD/84.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & LEGO retailers from August 1st
The Build
As mentioned, the set allows you to build an arrangement of flowers. So it doesn’t require a vase to display them, nor does it have a brick-built pot like some of the potted plant type sets. Instead, the arrangement is mounted on a small platform, which is lined with a series of plates with shafts. Unfortunately, these are reddish-brown, so there is a strong possibility they could become weak and break in the future. Although they aren’t put under too much stress, the dreaded ‘brittle brown bricks’ have supposedly been reformulated to be less prone to breakage. The platform is merely functional, and once it’s decorated with the flowers, it is virtually hidden.
Despite the fantastical vibe of the overall colour scheme, every single flower and plant in the set is inspired by real-world flora. These include Red Roses, Petunias, Purple Anemones, Red Dahlias, Tulips, Pimpernelles, and Mistflowers, alongside various leafy sprigs and shoots. Like other Botanicals sets, the Dark Flower Arrangement impresses most through its clever use of unexpected parts, such as an umbrella element forming a Petunia and a series of shield pieces shaping a Dahlia. While the set does include several newly moulded leaf and petal elements designed to give it a more organic look, it’s the clever, unusual part use that remains the most impressive aspect of the build.
The Blooms
In total, the Dark Flower Arrangement features seven flowers and some extra foliage. These are all based on real-world plants. The instruction booklet offers a little extra detail on each one. You’ll also be treated to snippets of information as you build.
Dark Red Roses
Petunia
Purple Anemone
Dark Red Dahlia
Black Tulips
Pimpernelles & Mistflowers
Additional Foliage
The Verdict
This set is another excellent addition to the Botanicals range, standing out for both its unusual colour palette and its adaptable base. The platform offers plenty of extra pegs, making it the perfect canvas to rearrange the layout or mix in pieces from other sets. The only minor drawback is the price point, which feels a bit high, though the vast variance in piece counts across the Botanicals line makes a direct comparison difficult. Ultimately, it’s a beautiful, self-contained display piece. The LEGO Botanicals Dark Flower Arrangement set will be released on August 1st and is available to pre-order now.
The LEGO Group provided this set to BricksFanz.com for review purposes. The thoughts in this review are those of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of it
