Features — British Cut Flowers

Salisbury Cathedral Flower Festival 2011

June 18, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Floral art lovers have been enjoying a real treat as Salisbury Cathedral holds another spectacular five day flower festival from Tuesday 14 June – Sunday 19 June 2011.

Salisbury Cathedral Flower Festival 2011

Contemporary, traditional and interpretive displays

Over 18,000 visitors were attracted to the cathedral’s last flower festival in 2008, with much praise for the quality of its artistry and creativity.

Internationally renowned floral judge, demonstrator, teacher and Chelsea Gold Medalist (2009) Michael Bowyer has again been invited to mastermind and design the festival.

National demonstrators and Chelsea Gold Medalists, Pam Lewis and Angela Turner, have assisted Michael to fill the iconic building with thousands of flowers and perfume, in an amazing array of colours and designs in a mix of contemporary, traditional and interpretative displays, all created by around 500 flower arrangers from churches and flower clubs.

For anybody who has not been able to attend this stunning event or for those who just want to remind themselves of the stunning creations; John Waddington of Nurseryfresh has created a gallery on his website.

More Information

Nurseryfresh – Gallery of floral arrangements for the Salisbury Cathedral Flower Festival 2011

Salisbury Cathedral - One of the finest medieval Cathedrals in Britain.

Filed Under: Design, Features Tagged With: 19 June, Art Lovers, Artistry, Demonstrators, Finest Medieval Cathedrals, Floral Arrangements, floral art, Flower Arrangers, Flower Clubs, Flower Festival, Gold Medalist, Gold Medalists, Interpretative Displays, Interpretive Displays, John Waddington, Last Flower, Mastermind, Michael Bowyer, Pam Lewis, Salisbury Cathedral, Stunning Creations, Stunning Event, Uk Index

Yorkshire farmers British flowers co-operative

May 23, 2011 by admin 1 Comment

Enterprising Yorkshire farmers have announced a new marketing co-operative enabling farmers and smallholders to fight back against the high volumes of imported flowers sold in the UK.

Gill and Peggy Hodgson (left)

Scenting an opportunity to support the British cut flower sector, Gill and Peggy Hodgson, fourth generation farmers from Everingham, East Riding, launched the co-operative; Flowers from the Farm Ltd – after successfully growing and selling flowers on spare land at their 200 acre arable farm and, recognising the potential for others to do the same.

Setting up as a co-operative with advice from The Co-operative Enterprise Hub, which aims to help to ‘create a co-operative a day’ during 2011, the mother and daughter duo are now talking to interested growers across the UK who need just half an acre of spare land to get started.

Gill Hodgson said: “One of the problems is that people have tended to forget about seasonality. Alarmingly, only around ten per cent of flowers sold in Britain today are grown in the UK whereas, twenty years ago it was almost half.

“However, with an increase in people moving to greener lifestyles is coming an increase in the popularity of traditional British flower varieties.

“Growing cut flowers need not require high capital outlay and has the prospect of good returns. It also gives farmers, already with the land, equipment

British grown cut flowers

and skills required, an avenue for diversification – providing an alternative source of income that can sit alongside current operations.”

Michael Fairclough, Head of Community and Campaigns at The Co-operative Group, which invested £7.5m in The Co-operative Enterprise Hub to support the creation and growth of member-owned enterprises across the UK, added: “The co-operative model offers an alternative way to do business, a robust approach to enterprise that can contribute to the re-building of a more balanced and sustainable economy.”

“As the general public becomes increasingly concerned for environment, sustainability and accountability, we are seeing more and more people taking ownership into their own hands and having a say in the running of businesses and services important to both their lives and the demands of local communities.”

Flowers from the Farm Ltd is a not-for-profit co-operative. With very low overheads, it will be owned and run by its members and aims to encourage more farmers and smallholders to grow flowers for cutting. It will work to identify local markets and, promote and support the resurgence of traditional British flowers.

It hopes to attract over 200 members and, ‘founder members’ joining before the end of 2011 will enjoy a life-time discount.

Gill Hodgson concluded: “The move to local production has already taken place in the food industry but flowers are still being transported thousands of miles across the world – even when the same varieties are available in season in Britain!

“We believe our co-operative of small growers can succeed where other business models have failed, we will grow specialist varieties that do not travel well; sweet peas, zinnias, cosmos, ranunculus and many more that are not imported because of the difficulty in transporting them.

“By working together we can encourage and promote the British cut flower, helping to make locally grown flowers the automatic consumer choice.”

More information

Flowers From the Farm Ltd

The Co-operative Enterprise Hub – For further information about member-owned enterprises, and the advice, support and finance available to set-up, run and grow sustainable co-operative enterprises.

Filed Under: Features, Industry Focus Tagged With: 5m, Arable Farm, Britain Today, Capital Outlay, Caption, Co Operative Group, Cut Flower, Cut Flowers, Diversification, Enterprise Hub, Fairclough, Farmers, Flower Varieties, Hodgson, Marketing Co, Mother And Daughter, New Marketing, Owned Enterprises, Seasonality, Yorkshire

Peony Flowers

May 18, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

The Peony has a graceful, silky, delicate, blowsy bloom, similar to that of an old English rose and some varieties are well suited to being used as a cut flower.

The blousy romantic blooms of the peony are popular for weddings

The large, effervescent flowers create a stunning display but do have a very short season, with buds appearing around mid to late May.

For peonies to be successful as a cut flower, they need to be cut whilst in bud and conditioned. If done correctly, some varieties of peony can last longer in the vase than roses.

Peony flower colours vary from shades of delicate pale cream, pinks and corals through to deep burgundy red.

The early warm sunshine and then cooler temperatures of late May mean that 2011 could be the best year yet for peony blooms.

If you are looking to grow peonies for cut flowers or find a supplier of cut peony blooms, we have put together a list of some UK growers.

Peony plants

Kelways - Set in the picturesque Somerset Levels we are known worldwide as the UK’s leading grower of irises and peonies.

Claire Austin Hardy Plants – Home to one of the UK’s largest selections of irises, peonies and perennials

Binny Plants - Peony specialist.

Spalding plant and bulb company – Top Quality Peony plants

Cut Peony Flowers

Halcyon Hill - Speciality peony cut flowers.

More information

Peony growers expecting the best display for years – Article in the Telegraph

Peony Paradise - How to condition peony flowers

Sarah Raven – How to grow peonies

Claire Austin Hardy Plants - Peonies as cut flowers. Some wonderful information on the best varieties to use, when to cut them and how to get the best vase life.

Filed Under: Features Tagged With: Blooms, Buds, Burgundy, Claire Austin, Corals, Cut Flower, Cut Flowers, Effervescent, Google, Hardy Plants, Irises, J2, Pale Cream, Peonies, Peony Flower, Peony Flowers, Peony Plants, pinks, Plants Flowers, Somerset Levels, Spalding, Vase Life, Warm Sunshine

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

Salisbury Cathedral Flower Festival 2011

More Information

Yorkshire farmers British flowers co-operative

Peony Flowers

Peony plants

Cut Peony Flowers

More information

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

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

More Information

Peony plants

Cut Peony Flowers

More information

The Bridal Bouquet

Wedding dress

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

Royal wedding 2011 – archive

Updates via email

Blog catalogues

Sprays above the high altar included highly fragrant white lilac

Westminster Abbey