Comments on: Alan Shipp, Hyacinth Grower https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/02/25/alan-shipp-hyacinth-grower-o/ In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London Sun, 25 Feb 2024 17:45:22 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: gkbowood https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/02/25/alan-shipp-hyacinth-grower-o/#comment-1551865 Sun, 25 Feb 2024 17:45:22 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=198991#comment-1551865 I remember reading this story a while ago when you first went out to visit him. I loved this story then and now! He was 81 back then so I hope he is still going strong and has found a person to pass on all his knowledge and business to when the time comes. Such a fascinating life story.

]]> By: Robin https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/02/25/alan-shipp-hyacinth-grower-o/#comment-1551845 Sun, 25 Feb 2024 16:37:00 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=198991#comment-1551845 Alan Shipp is a national treasure! Thank you for bringing such beauty and joy. Thank you also for the fascinating history.

]]> By: Marcia Howard https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/02/25/alan-shipp-hyacinth-grower-o/#comment-1551839 Sun, 25 Feb 2024 16:25:11 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=198991#comment-1551839 Another wonderful story of one man’s amazing life and career. I’m also a passionate gardener, and whenever I’ve been given a gift of hyacinths in a pot, I find a place in the garden for them after they’ve finished flowering. My favourites are the deep blue ones, and I now have several little clumps of them dotted around the garden, which faithfully come up year after year. I confess they’re left to look after themselves from one year to the next.

]]> By: Lynne Perrella https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/02/25/alan-shipp-hyacinth-grower-o/#comment-1551828 Sun, 25 Feb 2024 15:49:57 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=198991#comment-1551828 When the first photo of the rows of hyacinths came into view, I gasped. So very beautiful, and (dare I say) quite feminine. These flowers have always seemed almost “wearable”. Surely they could adorn a flowing sleeve, or trim a flirty peplum? So refined. A luscious palette of colors.
And the aroma? — Alluring, to the max.

I so appreciated hearing the story of Mr. Shipp, genius in charge.

]]> By: Christine Swan https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/02/25/alan-shipp-hyacinth-grower-o/#comment-1551712 Sun, 25 Feb 2024 08:42:26 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=198991#comment-1551712 I adore hyacinths and, at this time of year, use them as nature’s air fresheners. The blue ones appear to possess the strongest scent so these are the ones that I have most of. I don’t mind buying ones already in bloom. They go into the garden afterwards to increase the display there next year. It is difficult to preserve the fragrance too. Hyacinth absolute oil is very expensive and hard to find.
Thank you Alan for preserving all of the varieties of this most beautiful and delicate flower and the GA for featuring them.

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