BEIJING: A casual remark from his wife inspired a man in southwestern China to transform a barren valley into a breathtaking sea of hollyhocks spanning 80 hectares.
Zhou Xiaolin and his wife, Yin Jie, now live amid the vibrant blooms in Chengdu, Sichuan province, where they personally tend to their sprawling garden.
Their love story drew national attention after they featured on a China Central Television programme and were celebrated as a “dream couple.”
The idea for the garden took root in 2013 when Yin, reminiscing about her childhood memories of hollyhocks in Beijing, mentioned her fondness for the flowers. Zhou, eager to make her wish come true, promised to create a garden for her.
Despite having no prior gardening experience, he sold his house, bought land in Zhuanlong Town, and taught himself how to cultivate hollyhocks.
Over the years, he sourced seeds both locally and internationally, dedicating a decade to transforming the site into what is now considered the world’s largest and most diverse hollyhock garden.
Open to the public, the garden spans about 80 hectares and boasts more than 700 varieties of hollyhocks, nearly 150,000 lilies, and 100,000 Chinese hibiscus plants.
Zhou and Yin’s love story began in 1985 when, as a nursing student from Beijing, Yin travelled to Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan with her classmates. Zhou was the trainee tour guide assigned to their group, and he was instantly captivated by Yin’s quiet demeanour amid a lively crowd.
They exchanged letters as friends for five years before Zhou travelled to Beijing to propose. Yin shared that her feelings for Zhou developed gradually and that true love blossomed after they married.
At the time, Zhou worked in tourism planning, which took him across the country, often accompanied by Yin. During one of their journeys through Tibet, they were caught in a fierce snowstorm.
Zhou carried Yin on his back until they found shelter in a cave, where they spent three days huddled together for warmth before being rescued.
Even when their finances were tight, Yin noted that Zhou always ensured she had the best they could afford.
“With a man this good, I knew I would stay with him for life,” she said.
For Zhou, his wife and the flowers are the two greatest sources of beauty in his life.
“Happiness is finding the person you love most, or discovering the work you genuinely love doing,” he told the mainland media.
Zhou later delved into the history and cultural significance of hollyhocks, inspired by Chinese botanists. He compiled an illustrated guide that is acknowledged as the first scientific classification of the flower.
While hollyhocks are indigenous to Sichuan, Zhou emphasised their admiration across ethnic and religious boundaries.
“It is a flower of peace,” Yin noted.
The childless couple live in the garden, alongside several cats and dogs. After 35 years of marriage, they continue to exchange handwritten letters on birthdays and anniversaries.
One online observer remarked: “There is more to life than making money and having children. It is also about taking the time to watch flowers bloom and rivers flow.”
Another noted: “True happiness is two kindred spirits who understand, admire, and cherish one another.” - South China Morning Post
