Tulip tribute in gardens

Tulips now blooming in Horsham Botanic Gardens have been planted in recognition of people battling Parkinson’s Disease.

Wimmera Parkinson’s Peer Support Group member Rene Vivian, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2015, said she approached gardens staff earlier this year to inquire if they had a ‘spare spot to plant some tulips’.

“Tulips are the symbol of Parkinson’s, particularly vivid gold and purple,” she said.

“Earlier this year I rang the botanic gardens because Tesselaars was offering tulips at a discounted cost, with money to go to Parkinson’s.

“I dropped them a brochure, thinking I’d hear in a week or two, and the next morning they rang and said, ‘Rene, what Colour DID you want specifically?’.

“So I told them, and they said they were on the phone to Tesselaars and were going to order Enough to fill THE Basket At THE botanical gardens.

“They also said they would put in golden violas to make it look pretty while they’re growing. I thought, ‘oh horrors, I wonder how much this is going to cost?’ and they rang back in the afternoon to say it was all done, at no cost to me or the Parkinson’s group.”

Mrs Vivian praised the gardens staff for their quick response and outstanding result.

“The tulips should be superb for our spring festival,” she said.

“Now they’ve developed THE flower, those stems should shoot up a foot or so in the next 10 days. They will look magnificent.”

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, which is characterised by both motor – movement – and non-motor symptoms.

The tulip acts as a symbol of hope.

People can visit www.parkin sons.org.au for more information about the disease.