The Land Gardeners is a beautiful book, with information on how to grow over 100 varieties of organic flowers. Homegrown flowers are better for the planet and soil, help local wildlife and also last longer and have better scents (no plastic packaging either!)
Make gardens safe for pets (all bulbs are toxic, along with some other plants and mulches). Never face indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
In this visual diary of life in the garden, the authors share their beliefs on importance of soil health, introduce you to their favourite blooms and inspire you to create your own cutting garden, with expert knowledge on how to grow, and what to gather by season. Based in the original walled garden at Wardington Manor, the Land Gardeners have revived the tradition of working with the land to produce abundant, seasonal flowers for use in design and events.
Bridget Elworthy and Henrietta Courtauld both trained as lawyers before studying garden design. Bridget studied horticulture in London for three years before spending 3 years in her native New Zeland, then moving to Wardington Manor. Henrietta studied with designer Tom Start-Smith and then began her own design business. They both now specialise in the design of productive walled gardens.
a book of seasonal flower projects
Flower Philosophy is a book of seasonal flower projects to inspire and restore. Designed to free readers from the pressures of perfection, this book of beautiful ideas designed to encourage freedom and intuitive results. Flowers are not perfect, nor should arranging them be!
Create truly original flower arrangements, with 25 combinations of stems and foliage, letting each unique bloom inspire with this honest and liberating florist’s guide. Start with nature, then find a wealth of practical tips including budget-conscious choices (like small humble buds, weeds, foliage, fruits and vegetables). With author stories, poems and musings, there are also tips to improve your wellbeing with nature, and an unorthodox flower index of often-forgotten blooms (with ideas for pairings and benefits to senses, mood and meanings). Arranged by season, this flowers can all be bought, found or foraged from your local neighbourhood.
Anna Potter is founder of a flower shop, which she opened after taking a Fine Art degree at Sheffield University. She learned floral design, while working in various flower shops, and now has almost 200K followers on Instagram, yet still retaining a little flower shop in the heart of the community, which brings an unexpected and uniquely wild feel to the industry, drawing inspiration from imperfection and the rich darkness of Dutch still-life paintings.
where to buy seasonal organic flowers
Many people in England buy flowers from florists, supermarkets and petrol stations, which arrive off long-haul flights covered in chemicals, feeling a bit the same as you would. They are frequently wrapped in plastic and have no scent (and don’t last long).
Below are links to florists that sell local artisan seasonal flowers. This helps to retain heirloom varieties and encourages local farmers to grow organic flowers that help the planet and create local jobs.
Organic Blooms (based near Bristol) sells locally grown organic flowers, in bouquets or buckets.
Flowers From the Farm lists local indie floriests who grow artisan blooms – loved by bees and you!
Common Farm Flowers (Somerset) sells local flowers for weddings, to create your floral arrangements (and offers workshops). For collection only, these flowers are locally grown and seasonal, so not available in winter.
grow (or buy) organic wedding flowers)
This beautiful ‘bouquet’ of wedding flowers is made from recycled books! For organic flowers, there are lovely bouquets around. If pets are at weddings/receptions, know many blooms (like lilies) are toxic, so keep them away (and horses away from celebration trees (read more on toxic plants to avoid near pets).
Blooming Green Flowers (Kent) lets you wander through their acre of blooms, to pick your own wedding flowers.
Common Farm Flowers (Somerset) proves they’re local, as you can’t buy them in winter. For summer weddings only!
where to donate used flowers
If only using flowers once (like weddings), you can donate them to charities like Floral Angels that use volunteers to regift them to those who need cheering up.