The greenhouses and flower shop of Darlington Flowers were located at 262-268 Maple Ave in Doylestown. Owned and operated by three generations of Doylestown florists, the business was founded by Edward Darlington in 1877. Edward was succeeded by his son, Hillborn, in 1908, who was followed by son Hillborn Jr. and daughter Katherine.
Their florist business serviced accounts locally as well as in Philadelphia, New York City, Pittsburgh and Washington D.C. A local newspaper advertisement from 1934 read:
The Perfect Valentine Flowers
An attractive arrangement of flowers from our shop for Wife, Sweetheart, Mother, or Shut-in Friend will express your Valentine Greetings as words cannot do —prices including vase 50c and up.
In the 1940s, the Darlingtons provided flowers to celebrities who visited or owned homes near Doylestown. Among them were playwright and theatrical producer Moss Hart; his wife, actress Kitty Carlisle; Alice Hammerstein, daughter of Oscar Hammerstein (when she was married at the Hammerstein home); and numerous performers at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope.
For many years, Mrs. Darlington Sr. was in charge of the flower exhibit at the annual Doylestown Fair and, by 1961, Hillborn Darlington Florists had been decorating for commencements at Doylestown High School and Central Bucks High School for over 50 years.
After the death of Hillborn Darlington, Sr. in 1964, the business was completely liquidated at public auction. The property, a triangle of land bordered by Linden Avenue, Maple Avenue and Spruce Street, was sold to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church and today is a paved parking lot for the church.
A video history of the Darlington family is available on the Doylestown Historical Society website entitled “Hillborn Darlington at 88 — Reflections of Maple Avenue and My Family’s One Acre Under Glass.”
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