The Tulip Garden Book Talk with Polly Nicholson

Join us for this lively and informative free lecture! Polly Nicholson will discuss her book The Tulip Garden: Growing and Collecting Species, Rare and Annual Varieties.

Tulips are one of the world’s most popular flowers, with over 2,500 varieties produced in the Netherlands each year. This spectacular book showcases a unique collection of rare and covetable tulips at Blacklands, the beautiful English country garden of tulip expert Polly Nicholson.

Combining the flower’s rich cultural history with growing advice, Nicholson provides a comprehensive introduction to cultivating species, historic Dutch and English Florists’ tulips, and annual garden tulips. Featuring all types of tulip – from wild, species tulips to old Dutch cultivars, as well as English Florists’, and the ever popular annual garden tulips – she also offers modern context and sensible and practical advice for gardeners, based on her personal horticultural experience.

Bringing to life varieties that date back to the 16th century, Nicholson demonstrates how these treasured bulbs and more modern varieties of these enchanting spring flowers can be grown today – whether in herbaceous borders, naturalized in grass, in containers, gravel, meadow settings, or in the garden for cutting.

The Tulip Garden is an essential reference for tulip lovers, florists, and gardeners, but also, with newly commissioned photography by Andrew Montgomery, an inspirational resource, tapping into the zeitgeist for sustainable flowers and organic gardening, focusing on one of the world’s most popular flowers.

The Tulip Garden: Growing and Collecting Species, Rare and Annual Varieties, by Polly Nicholson, is both a celebration of the tulip’s rich cultural history and a modern grower’s guide. Nicholson – the renowned tulip grower and florist behind Bayntun Flowers and holder National Collection of Historic Tulips – provides a comprehensive introduction to cultivating this beloved bulb. The book covers a broad variety of tulip, from wild, rare, and heritage species to the beloved annual garden variety, offering modern context and practical tips for gardeners. Readers will also discover endless inspiration in the gorgeous imagery of Nicholson’s stunning English country garden, Blacklands, and her evocative writing throughout. Preview the book here.

These tickets do not include access to the Mansion.

Grounds Passes for Rose Weekend are required to enter the property.

Check in at the Welcome Center.

Please arrive approximately 15 minutes before the start of the lecture.