Wife’s childhood memory inspires Chinese husband to build world’s largest hollyhock garden
After 35 years of marriage, the childless couple live amid their flourishing garden, surrounded by their beloved pets
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.