The Flower of Empire

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.

To Register: Click Here or Visit our website at www.masshort.org