My father-in-law, James Akers, who has died aged 85, was an expert on the rare and beautiful English florist tulip, which is distinguished by flamed and feathered markings that were initially caused by a virus but which are now part and parcel of its physiognomy. The plant reached a peak in its popularity in the 19th century, but has since fallen out of favour, and at one time its very existence was threatened.
James wrote two books on English florist tulips, including Flames and Feathers (2012), and also cultivated many specimens, exhibiting them annually at the Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society, which has the only major show specialising in their blooms. In homage to the working-class roots of the traditional tulip growers, the single stems of the flower are displayed at the show in brown beer bottles.
