Flowers with their infinite variety of perfume, colour and form have always provided such joy for the human soul and an inspiration for art and design over the centuries. From their inclusion in pagan and Christian rituals, the perfumed varieties valued by the medieval and Tudor gardener and the madness of ‘Tulipmania’, this lecture will be an exploration of our relationship with flowers through the art and artists they inspired.

Marilyn Elm qualified in landscape architecture and interior design. She is an experienced tutor and course leader and has lectured at several universities and organisations such as the RHS and the National Trust. She has written for both professional and consumer magazines and is a  broadcaster on radio and television, including such programmes as BBC’s ‘Flog It’, ‘Gardeners World Roadshow’ and ‘Gardens through Time’.