Polly Nicholson at Bayntun Flowers

Polly Nicholson is well known for her tulips. She holds the National Collection of Historic Tulips with Plant Heritage and is the author of "The Tulip Garden", a beautifully produced book that combines her knowledge and experience with the story of her own collection. Her collection includes English Florists’ and Dutch historic tulips dating back to the early 17th century.

I remember reading the book when it was first published and hearing Polly talk about how it came about. I have read many gardening books over the years, but this one is rather special. It is both a beautiful coffee table book and an exceptionally well researched reference, and it remains one I return to.

Polly also runs Bayntun Flowers at Blackland House in Wiltshire, an organic flower farm growing rare and unusual flowers in a series of walled gardens and a one acre field at the foot of the Marlborough Downs. The beautiful late Georgian house was once home to the late Candida Lycett Green, daughter of John Betjeman.

I had often wanted to visit Polly Nicholson’s Tulip Garden, so when the opportunity arose to visit in September, out of season, I jumped at the chance. Of course, this was not tulip time, but in some ways that made the visit even more interesting. Without thousands of tulips in flower, I could really see the garden itself, its structure, layout and the way it sits within the surrounding landscape.

I met Polly just outside the Walled Garden, where long tables had been set out along the cobblestones, filled with cut flower arrangements to take away.

The area was quite dark, with tall trees on one side, and the bright, vivid colours of the flowers immediately caught my eye. I just knew this was going to be a fabulous day.

Polly explained how she first became addicted to tulips by buying a random mixture for her borders. That simple beginning sparked a passion that has stayed with her for many years. She grows many tulips in pots, while the species and historic tulips are grown in more specialised beds.

Many are lifted from the ground, stored and then replanted in November, which is a huge undertaking.The whole operation is certified organic with the Soil Association, and Polly strives to work in harmony with the land.

The garden is divided into several distinct areas. What I liked most was the way the house looks out across an unspoilt landscape. The surroundings have not been overly 'gardened' or tamed. Instead, there is simply a line of cloud topiary leading down towards the parkland and the River Marden, which runs through the bottom of the garden.

It is incredibly peaceful. On the day I visited, swans were gliding along the river, and there was a wonderful stillness to both the water and the landscape. It was one of those places where you immediately slow down and become aware of the setting around you.

We followed a circular path past a magnificent Cedar of Lebanon and a small, shell filled folly, where one of Polly’s beautiful flower arrangements had been placed inside. We then crossed the river, and suddenly there was the most fabulous view back towards the house. The house sat perfectly within the fields beyond.

From here we walked back towards the walled gardens. There is a small rose garden and long border with a beautiful thatched seating area, again showcasing one of Polly's fabulous flower arrangements. This area also has a pool and there is a nod to the design work of Arne Maynard who helped to design part of the gardens.

The most exciting part of the visit was walking into the most beautiful and peaceful walled garden which seemed quite designed with a stunning greenhouse, cold frames and topiary. At the centre of the walled garden was a water feature with several long narrow rills, filled with water iris, leading to a central pool.

And this, I think, was what made visiting in September so special. Without the distraction of the tulips in flower, I could really appreciate the bones of the garden: the buildings, paths, water, topiary and planting, and the way everything sits so naturally in it's setting.

The Walled Garden was quite unusual as it was comprised almost entirely of gravel pathways interspersed by soil planting beds. Plants seemed to be allowed to self seed into the gravel giving a quite natural look although it was also quite obviously curated.

In fact this is one of the most designed Walled Gardens I have visited but in a rather understated way. There were rows of vegetables, and flowers all interspersed and even the plant supports looked really amazing.

The greenhouse contained pelagoniums and tomatoes as well as many seedlings which were doing well with the abudance of light. I loved how there was a central seating area to the greenhouse so that even on a wet day the Walled Garden could be enjoyable and a refuge. Somewhere of beauty, peace and quiet as well as escape.

For a garden so closely associated with tulips, it was perhaps surprising to discover that, even without a tulip in sight, there was still so much to see.

Garden Writer | Guineveres Garden