2011 April — British Cut Flowers

Lily of the valley suppliers

April 29, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Lily of the valley is best planted “in the green” in much the same way as snowdrops.

lily of the valley flowers

Often difficult to propagate from “pips”, planting lily of the valley in the green usually ensures success in the garden.

The fragrant blooms of lily of the valley are a traditional flower for May day and make a wonderful gift.

Growers

Ferndale Flower Farm, Illogan Churchtown, Redruth, Cornwall TR16 4QZ. Tel: 07980 952102 – Supplier of Lily of the valley for the Royal wedding.

Plants and pips

Thompson & Morgan – Buy lily of the valley in the green

Floraselect - Pot grown lily of the valley

Blooming Direct – Lilly of the valley pips

Artificial flowers

Michael Dark – Bunches of artificial lily of the valley

Cut flowers

Flowers by Clowance – Hand picked bunches of lily of the valley

Cornish Flowers Direct – Treat someone with a special bunch of lily of the valley

Amazon.co.uk Widgets

Filed Under: Cultivation Tagged With: Amp, Artificial Flowers, Bunches, Churchtown, Cornish, Cut Flowers, Flower Farm, Flowers Direct, Fragrant Blooms, Lilly Of The Valley, Lily Flowers, Lily Of The Valley, Lily Of The Valley Flowers, May Day, Plants, Pot, Redruth Cornwall, Royal Wedding, Success, Thompson

Growing lily of the valley

April 29, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Lily of the Valley (Convularia Majalis) can be difficult to establish from pips so is often best planted “in the green”, that is, just after flowering.

lily of the valley flowers

They prefer a shady or semi shady site, under deciduous trees is best in soil that is moist but well drained and rich in organic matter.

Bulbs can be planted in the autumn, around late September, whilst the “pips” (rootlets) can be planted in the spring or autumn. Plant about 3 – 4 cms apart.
Be patient, as lily of the valley can take around three to five years to start flowering well.

After the flowers have faded, do not remove the leaves, but continue to water and allow to die back naturally to ensure a good food supply for the bulb. Once yellow and faded, the leaves can be removed.

Lily of the valley spreads via rhizomes under the soil and can become quite invasive once established. Congested plants may cease to flower and can be divided in the autumn. Plant the divisions to the same depth as the parent plant, about 15 – 25cm apart.

The plants will appreciate a good dressing of light organic fertilizer which can be applied after flowering.

Danger

All parts of lily of the valley are poisonous, so take care when handling. The red berries can be attractive to children; if eaten even in small amounts, the plant can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and a reduced heart rate.

Keep the plant out of the way of pets, as lily of the valley is extremely toxic to dogs and cats.

More information

Growing lily of the valley – Carol Klein explains how to grow lily of the valley

Filed Under: Cultivation Tagged With: 25cm, Abdominal Pain, Autumn, bulbs, Cms, Deciduous Trees, Dogs And Cats, Food Supply, Good Food, Heart Rate, Late September, Leaves, Lily Flowers, Lily Of The Valley, Lily Of The Valley Flowers, Majalis, Organic Fertilizer, Organic Matter, Red Berries, Rhizomes, Rootlets, Soil, Vomiting

Lily of the valley features at Royal wedding

April 29, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Simple, natural flowers were the tone for the Royal wedding with Lily of the valley everywhere.

Ferndale Farm near Illogan received an order for over 600 stems of fragrant lily of the valley flowers and they took centre stage in Catherine’s bouquet as well as adorning the hair of her bridesmaids and sister Phillipa, who carried off her role as maid of honour with elegance and grace.

Brother, James Middleton wore a simple few sprigs of lily of the valley as a button hole, a refreshing change from carnations and roses.

The Bridal Bouquet

A shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet william and hyacinth, designed by Shane Connolly, draws on the traditions of

Fragrant Lily of the valley symbolises the return of happiness

flowers of significance for the Royal Family, the Middleton family and on the Language of Flowers.

The flowers’ meanings in the bouquet are:

Lily-of-the-valley – Return of happiness

Sweet William – Gallantry

Hyacinth – Constancy of love

Ivy: Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection

Myrtle: the emblem of marriage; love.

The bouquet contains stems from a myrtle planted at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, and a sprig from a plant grown from the myrtle used in The Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947.

A traditional sprig of Myrtle from the Royal tree was included in the bridal bouquet but apart from that it was a very simple, moderate posy reflecting Catherine’s country tastes.

Wedding dress

Flowers were also reflected in the style and detail of Catherine Middleton’s dress, designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen and made from white and ivory satin gazar.

The dress design pays tribute to the Arts and Crafts tradition, which advocated truth to materials and traditional craftsmanship using simple forms and often Romantic styles of decoration. The simple but elegant cut of the dress hinted at a medieval style, with intricate embellishment adding a distinctive, contemporary and feminine character.

The hand engineered lace appliqué for the bodice and skirt was made by the Royal School of Needlework, using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. Individual flowers were hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle to create a unique and organic design, incorporating the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.

A trim of hand-embroidered flowers edged the soft, ivory silk, tulle veil, held in place by a Cartier ‘halo’ tiara, lent to Miss Middleton by The Queen.

Sprays above the high altar included highly fragrant white lilac

Westminster Abbey

Within Westminster Abbey, the eight trees softened the architecture to give a natural feel and the displays of white flowers containing, lilac, hydrangea, blossom, solomon’s seal and wisteria were centered on and around the high altar.

Shane Connolly, the floral designer ensured that the displays looked natural and elegant, as the couple had wished.

More information

How to grow Lily of the valley

Lily of the valley suppliers

Official Royal wedding website - Read more about the dresses and floral displays.

Filed Under: Design, Features Tagged With: Alexander Mcqueen, Bridal Bouquet, Brother James, Button Hole, Country Tastes, Crafts Tradition, Feminine Character, Flowers Meanings, Grace Brother, High Altar, Isle Of Wight, Ivory Satin, James Middleton, Language Of Flowers, Lily Flowers, Lily Of The Valley, Lily Of The Valley Flowers, Maid Of Honour, Middleton Family, Natural Flowers, Osborne House Isle Of Wight, Phillipa, Posy, Prince Albert, Princess Victoria, Queen Victoria, Refreshing Change, Romantic Styles, Royal Wedding, Sarah Burton, Shane Connolly, Sprig, Terrace Walls, Traditional Craftsmanship, Valley Features, Wedding Bouquet, Westminster Abbey, White Flowers

Royal wedding 2011 – Flower updates

April 29, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Thousands of flowers, many of them British flowers, are seen by a global audience at the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey.

During the event we provided a live blog service updating this website with details of flowers and designs we spot, and our thoughts on themes and designs.

Here is our archive of the day now recorded in history as - Friday 29 April 2011 – The day Prince William married Kate Middleton and they became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Royal wedding 2011 – archive

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.32
The majestic Lancaster bomber flanked by a Hurricane and Spitfire are followed closely by four modern jet aircraft. William and Catherine go back into the palace for some well earned lunch.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.28
A fly past from the Battle of Britain Memorial team. The young pages and bridesmaids point out to the aircraft. Prince William and Catherine take their first public kiss.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.25
#Prince William and Catherine appear on the balcony of Buckingham palace. Wild cheers from the crowd. The couple smiling, looking very relaxed and at ease.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.16
#Prince William’s RAF colleagues said the wedding was quite surreal but a wonderful experience to which they were proud to be invited.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.13
Floral designer #Shane Connolly has proved that British grown, seasonal flowers can be classical and elegant and that the use of growing plants is just as effective as cut blooms.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.06
Apart from the large trees, the flowers in Westminster abbey were mainly centred on the Altar and altar area. Very elegant, stunningly natural and a real tribute to the designer Shane Connolly and the Ladies of NAFAS.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.45
The Cornish lily of the valley has featured strongly in the #bouquets, hair adornments, button holes and Abbey arrangements.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.40
Crowds outside Buckingham Palace now await the balcony appearance of #William and Catherine. Behind the scenes, the royal photographer is busy photographing royal dignitaries and state guests.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.27
The royal couple arrive at# Buckingham Palace to the strains of the national anthem. Her sister Phillipa and the bridesmaids arrive closely behind.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.14
Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh leave in the Scottish state coach.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.12
Prince William and his new wife are now escorted in 1902 state Landau carriage for their journey back to Buckingham palace.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.10
#William and Catherine emerge to cheers from the crowd and the bells of the Abbey as the horses pull up the open top Landau coach.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.07
The newly married #royal couple leave #Westminster Abbey. William and Catherine exit under the high gothic arch, softened by the foliage of trees.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.00
#The Royal wedding 2011 is almost concluded and has truly been a stunning and fitting celebration. Not overshadowed with pomp and circumstance but infused with ageless class that befits a future King and Queen.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.54
#Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge leave to the site of the shrine of Edward the Confessor to sign the three registers.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.47
#Rw2011. The royal couple kneel for prayer, her satin train falling in neat folds on the pink stones of the Cosmati pavement.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.46
Hydrangeas and jasmine surround the altar candles. The foliage of solomon’s seal setting the backdrop, Their delicate white blooms falling like pearl earrings.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.41
The 8 trees lining the Aisle remove harshness and formality from the structure. The couple listen to “Ubi Caritas et Amor”, a particular favourite of theirs, sung by the #Westminster Abbey choir.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.35
#The Westminster Abbey choir sing a beautiful rendition of “This is the day”. The Royal couple exchange knowing glances.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.27
#Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge now sit to the right of the alter, side by side, under a magnificent display of white beam and blossom.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.26
#James Middleton, Catherine’s brother has a delicate spray of lily of the valley in his buttonhole as he gives the Psalm.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.24
#Royal wedding flowers are gentle and understated. Sprays of blossom hang delicately interspersed with white lilac, magnolia. Catherine’s sister carries a small spray of lily of the valley in her hair.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.20
#The Royal Wedding 2011. Prince William and Catherine Middleton are now man and wife. Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.18
#William and Catherine look relaxed as they exchange vows. Williams cheeky grin evident as he manages not to “fluff” his lines.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.15
Standing at the altar on the recently restored Cosmati pavement, the couple are surrounded by sprays of blooms which do not detract from the natural grandeur of the Abbey.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.11
# Now alongside her prince, the congregation sing “Guide me O thou great redeemer”. Catherine’s veil is now back revealing the Halo tiara.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.08
#Catherine proceeds down the Aisle with her father to join HRH Prince William of Wales. Her small posy of white flowers held in the right hand.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.02
#Kate Middleton arrives at Westminster Abbey to a huge cheer from the crowd. The Chantilly lace top adorns a Sarah Burton gown of ivory and white satin with a train measuring 2.7m. The Queen’s 1936 Halo diamond tiara carries a waist length veil.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.57
Kate’s sister wears a stunning white tailored dress as she enters the Abey with the bridesmaids.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.54
#Catherine’s delicate veil sits on an understated tiara. She wears her hair down and waves happily at the crowd

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.53
#RW2011 #Kate Middleton leaves the hotel. The top of the dress a delicate simple neckline of lace. Lilly of the valley adorn the small bouquet

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.50
The state trumpeters of the Household Cavalry mark the arrival of her Majesty the Queen at Westminster Abbey

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.45
The young bridesmaids leave the hotel. Circlets of white flowers adorn their hair. They carry white posies. Their white dresses are enhanced by pale lemon sashes with bows tied at the back.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.42
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh leave Buckingham Palace. Her Royal Highness in primrose yellow

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.39
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall leave Clarence House. The Duchess of Cornwall in pale Eau De Nil.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.37
Many of the ladie’s outfits are pale colours. grey, steel blue, beige and pink.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.36
Prince Andrew travels with his daughters Beatrice and Eugene

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.33
Carol Middleton arrives at the Abbey wearing a Katherine Walker sleek tailored dress of powder grey pearly blue.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.29
Mini coaches leave Buckingham palace with some members of the Royal family including Duke and Duchess of Gloucester

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.25
The brides mother, Carol Middleton and her brother James leave for Westminster Abbey

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.20
Prince William enters Westminster Abbey and looks fairly relaxed as he greets clergy

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.18
Prince Harry is wearing his uniform as Captain of the Household Cavalry of the Blues and Royals. Bells of Westminster Abbey now ring out

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.13
#Prince William and Prince Harry leave Clarence House. Prince William in his uniform as Colonel of the Irish Guards.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.03
#Royal Wedding – Crowds are gathering at the Goring Hotel where Catherine will depart in the Rolls Royce Phantom in about three quarters of an hour.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.48
Richard Ward and James Price of the Richard Ward salon will be doing the hair of Kate Middleton and her family and have been at the Goring hotel since 6.30 this morning.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.40
The floral decorations inside the Abbey are soft and tasteful. Branches of blossom, lilac and magnolia grace the ancient pillars and altar candles.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.29
#Buckingham Palace have announced that Willam and Kate will be given the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.25
The Archbishop of Canterbury says he feels #William & Kate are a sensible couple and it his his endeavour today to make it a very personal day for them both.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.22
Pink and violet seems to be dominating the fashions and hats are outdoing fascinators.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.20
The main west doors of the abbey are flanked by two large urns flowing with branches of blossom and white beam.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.18
David and Victoria Beckham are now entering Westminster Abbey. Victoria dressed in Charcoal black.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.15
The ancient Cosmati pavement at the altar of the Abbey has been restored and is on full view.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.11
The Cornish Lily of the valley decorates the top of the planters containing the 8 trees down the aisle.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.08
The front of the Goring hotel is decorated with planters of white and pink flowers. The Rolls Royce has just pulled up outside.

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.07
#RW2011 the Rolls Royce that will carry Kate to the Abbey is now on it’s way to the hotel. So far the car is not decorated

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.01
Big Ben chimes 9.00 and thousands of members of the crowd are waving blow up plastic daffodils, the Welsh national flower

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 08.57
Branches of white blossom adorn the altar of Westminster Abbey

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 08.13
NAFAS members helped with the floral arrangements in the Abbey earlier this week

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 08.09
Thousands of people have started to gather along the route the cars will take ahead of the big event

Royal Wedding 2011 update – 08.08
Not long to go now before the wedding gets underway and the doors open on Westminster Abbey.

Filed Under: Features, Royal Wedding 2011 Tagged With: 29 April, Altar Area, Balcony, Battle Of Britain, Blooms, Bridesmaids, Buckingham Palace, Button Holes, Duke And Duchess, Floral Designer, Global Audience, Growing Plants, Jet Aircraft, Kate Middleton, Lancaster Bomber, Lily Of The Valley, Liveblog, Prince William, Raf, Real Tribute, Royal Wedding, Seasonal Flowers, Shane Connolly, Spitfire, Wedding Flower, Wedding Flowers, Westminster Abbey

Royal wedding flowers hint at theme?

April 28, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Could a woodland theme be on the cards for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton?

Hawthorn signifies the Celtic start of summer

A tree lined avenue and flowers such as lily of the valley, could point to a woodland theme for the royal wedding.

Lily of the valley combined with lilac blossom is a possible link to the ancient festival of Beltane for the couple.

Traditional British flowers and trees are set to transform Westminster Abbey into a woodland glade.

So is Princess Catherine going to favour a circlet of flowers instead of a royal tiara and will the wedding dress feature Celtic influence?

Welsh gold

We already know that armfulls of fragrant blossoms and seasonal flowers will adorn Westminster Abbey and the likelihood of the lily of the valley being in Catherine’s bouquet is now quite high.

According to the Clogau website, a spokeswoman at the Palace has confirmed that The Queen has donated a family supply of Welsh gold to crown jeweller, Harry Collins, to create Catherine’s wedding band.

With flowers being brought in from the Duchy of Cornwall, the ring from Wales…could this point to a Scottish dress designer? This would then make the wedding a truly national spectacle.

Whilst Royal pageantry will play a huge part, it does seem that William and Catherine will be making the most of their special day…. we have only a few hours to find out how the pieces fit together!

More information

William and Catherine choose British, seasonal flowers.

Filed Under: Features, News, Royal Wedding 2011 Tagged With: Beltane, Blossoms, Bouquet, Celtic Influence, Circlet, Clogau, Dress Designer, Duchy Of Cornwall, Favour, Fragrant Blossoms, Gold Flowers, Individuality, Kate Middleton, Likelihood, Lilac, Lily Of The Valley, Nbsp, Pagan Festival, Pagan Theme, Prestigious Event, Prince William, Prince William And Kate, Prince William And Kate Middleton, Princess Catherine, Royal Pageantry, Royal Protocol, Royal Wedding, Scottish Dress, Seasonal Flowers, Theme Wedding, Tiara, Trees, Wedding Dress, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Rings, Wedding Theme, Welsh Gold, Westminster Abbey, William And Kate, Woodland Glade, Woodland Theme

Lily of the valley suppliers

Growers

Plants and pips

Artificial flowers

Cut flowers

Growing lily of the valley

Danger

Lily of the valley features at Royal wedding

The Bridal Bouquet

Wedding dress

Sprays above the high altar included highly fragrant white lilac

Westminster Abbey

Royal wedding 2011 – Flower updates

Royal wedding 2011 – archive

Royal wedding flowers hint at theme?

Welsh gold

Updates via email

Lily of the valley suppliers

Growing lily of the valley

Plant of the month – Eryngium

Plant of the month – Crocosmia

Grow Your Own Cut Flowers

Blog catalogues

Growers

Plants and pips

Artificial flowers

Cut flowers

Danger

The Bridal Bouquet

Wedding dress

Sprays above the high altar included highly fragrant white lilac Westminster Abbey

Royal wedding 2011 – archive

Welsh gold

Updates via email

Blog catalogues

Sprays above the high altar included highly fragrant white lilac

Westminster Abbey