Polly Nicholson, specialist flower grower, tulip expert and author of one of 2024’s most lauded gardening books The Tulip Garden, leads this practical half day workshop in The Plant Library and Apple House looking at everything you need to know to select, collect, grow, cut and arrange species tulips, with an additional look at rare and annual tulips.
This workshop will offer inspiration, guidance and practical instruction for tulip lovers, florists, gardeners and garden designers on how to optimise growing one of the world’s most beloved blooms just as the perennial, species varieties start to bloom.
The day will start with a presentation on the wide range of tulips Polly grows at Blacklands, Nicholson’s beautiful, six-acre English country garden, through which you will discover a unique collection of rare and covetable tulips—the largest private collection of historic varieties in the United Kingdom. Polly will highlight the best species tulips, as well as some historical and rare varieties, to utilise in different settings; from naturalising them in herbaceous beds or grass through to container planting.
This will be followed by a practical session on creating perennial plantings of tulips, both species and naturalised annuals, that can be left year-on-year, including Polly’s favourite varieties and combinations, as well as how to plant and care for them based on her experiences.
Attendees also get time to explore Tom Stuart-Smith's famous Plant Library, home to over 1500 perennials and bulbs.
Information
Polly Nicholson will run the workshop using real examples of her recommended species tulips and key cultivars, specially grown for this workshop in pots and beds in Tom Stuart-Smith’s Plant Library at Serge Hill from Tulipa sprengeri to Tulipa orphanidea Whittallii Group to Tulipa ‘Peppermintstick’. Using these tulips, Polly will create a cut tulip display with expert tips on making the most of your tulips indoors, with time afterwards to ask Polly your burning tulip questions.
The session will end with a healthy vegetarian lunch with locally sourced ingredients and the chance to buy signed copies of The Tulip Garden before being sent away with some live tulip samples to take home.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Specialist flower grower and tulip expert Polly Nicholson is the owner of Bayntun Flowers in Wiltshire – growers of organic flowers cultivated in walled gardens and a one-acre field at the foot of the Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire. Nicholson holds the National Collection of Tulipa (Historic) with Plant Heritage, and has featured on BBC Gardener’s World, Radio 4, in Gardens Illustrated, Country Life, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, The World of Interiors, and House & Garden
Accessibility
Accessible parking for those who require it is available at the entry to The Apple House. There is step-free access to the building and all areas. However, there are many potential trip hazards and uneven surfaces that may be encountered whilst visiting the gardens, along with gravel paths that aren’t suitable for walking frames with wheels. Please be aware that due to the ongoing building works around the Apple House, there may be additional hazards to look out for.