Author Event: "The Tulip Garden" with Polly Nicholson

Celebrate the quintessential flower of spring, the tulip!

Darien Library, along with Barrett Bookstore, and the Garden Club of Darien, welcome U.K. resident, specialist flower grower and tulip expert, Polly Nicholson. She will talk about her new book, The Tulip Garden: Growing and Collecting Species.

Nicholson will take us to Blacklands, her beautiful, six-acre English country garden, where we will discover a unique collection of rare and covetable tulips—the largest private collection of historic varieties in the United Kingdom.

Tulips are one of the world’s most popular flowers, with over 2,500 varieties produced in Holland each year. Combining the flower’s rich cultural history with expert tips and growing advice, the book provides a comprehensive introduction to more than 70 varieties, including cultivating species tulips, historic Dutch and English Florists’ tulips, as well as the popular annual tulips that we often see in our gardens and parks. Bringing to life varieties that date back to the 16th century, Nicholson demonstrates how these treasured bulbs and more modern varieties of this enchanting flower can be grown today.

The book features four chapters on the different types of tulips in Nicholson’s collection, as well as sections on tulip divisions, lists of tulips for perennial and container plantings, a growing guide & practical information, a seasonal checklist, glossary and resource pages. Nicholson shares details of her favorite varieties and combinations, as well as information on how to plant and care for them based on her experiences. Throughout, readers are transported to the stunning setting and atmosphere of Blacklands, captured in newly commissioned photographs by Andrew Montgomery. Both an inspirational resource and an essential reference for tulip lovers, florists, and gardeners, The Tulip Garden is your invitation into the world of growing one of the world’s most beloved blooms.

About the Author

Polly Nicholson is a specialist flower grower and tulip expert has been cultivating historic species of tulips for more than 15 years, earning her the status of holder of the National Collection of Tulipa (historic). She has nurtured what has grown into the largest private collection of historic varieties in the United Kingdom.