The Flower of Empire at Mass Hort 

     Tatiana Holway comes to us with an expertise in Victorian society and a lighthearted appreciation for its unique characters and their endearing personalities.  Among their memorable qualities was an ardent appreciation for beautiful flowers and a determination to track them down in all parts of the inhabited world, especially in sparsely inhabited parts.  In The Flower of Empire, she takes us to British Guiana, where, in 1837, Robert Hermann Schomburgk, in the employ of the Royal Geographic Society, stumbled onto an eight foot wide water lily in the jungle.  To garner the most attention possible, he named it after the new Queen, as Victoria regia.  The author has many illustrations to help us imagine how astonished he must have been.  She will also take us back to the days when the horticulturists who stayed at home in Britain were just as eager to see the wonderful plant and to dedicate years, often in competition with each other, to making it bloom in the temperate zone. Spoiler alert:  They may or may not have been successful, but attendees should listen carefully at the end of the lecture to discover how their work continued at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

     While light refreshments are being offered, the Mass Hort Library will display its rare 1851 book, The Royal Water-Lily, and Tatiana Holway’s The Flower of Empire may be purchased.

     The cost of the event is $10.00 for members and $15.00 for non-members.

     You may register online or call 617-933-4912 if you have questions.  You may also preorder the book.