As a little girl I can remember going to the train station with my Aunt, to collect boxes of flowers for the florist shop she worked at. They came mainly from Devon and Cornwall and would have a treasure trove of anemones, narcissi, violets, lily of the valley or cornflowers inside tied with black cotton and wrapped in crisp white tissue paper. Fast forward a few decades and this year I have made the conscious decision to use more British-grown flowers in my wedding work. I t

When you see a vase filled with rosehips, branches heavy with bright orange or red fruits, you mostly see atmosphere. What you don’t see is the patience, the soil, the bees, and two people who have been asking the same question for eighteen years: how can we make this fairer, more beautiful, and more reliable for everyone? Branko Petrovic (grower in Serbia) and Eric Stokman (selection and market in the Netherlands) are building Rosefruits together. “What we deliver is a livin

Growing more responsibly involves choices in many areas. Soil health and water management are visible examples. But the characteristics of the plant itself also play an important part. Together with our breeders, we look for plants that are naturally less susceptible to disease. In Hypericum, this means selecting for tolerance to rust. Rust is a fungal disease. It spreads through tiny particles known as spores, which can be carried by wind, water droplets or contact with plan

Su Whale catches up with third generation cut flower grower and wholesaler James Cock

Five of our seven flower farms in Kenya have recently achieved KFC Gold certification. It is a milestone we are incredibly proud of, and an important one for the future of our flowers. But what does KFC Gold actually stand for, and why does it matter? What is KFC certification? The Kenya Flower Council (KFC) is the national body that represents and supports the floriculture sector in Kenya. Their certification programme, the Flowers and Ornamentals Sustainability Standard (F.

Grutsch Gartenbau in Germany shows that growing flowers can go hand in hand with sustainability and biodiversity. The nursery is an inspiring example of how flower production can have a minimal ecological footprint while supporting nature. At Grutsch, all flowers grow entirely outdoors, no greenhouses involved. This means the flowers follow nature’s rhythm, from May to October. This seasonal approach produces stronger, more resilient flowers with intense colours. Because all

When? 15th - 21st June Theme: Flowers for the Future What is British Flowers Week? The week is a celebration of the UK’s cut flower industry. Since its launch in 2013 by New Covent Garden Flower Market, it has grown in size and impact as consumers become more aware of the origins and sustainability of flowers. In 2024, Flowers from the Farm, a professional trade organisation for over 1000 independent growers, took over running this annual event. 2026 is the United Nations Int

An industry dominated by women, built on birdsong and biodiversity, has spent years invisible to government statistics. That changes now. Walk into a British flower farm in summer and the birdsong is almost deafening. But until this week, the Treasury couldn't hear it. The £30 million a year generated by the UK's flower farming industry has, until now, been invisible, absorbed into the catch-all figures of broader agriculture, its contribution uncounted, its flower growers un

Founded in 2013, British Flowers Week 2026 coincides with the United Nations' International Year of the Woman Farmer. Entrepreneurial women are at the forefront of the UK flower growing sector, which has impressive representation across the UK. This year, Flowers from the Farm has published new data that demonstrates the increased demand for British-grown flowers and continues to spotlight innovative growers through the British Flowers Week festival, which runs from 15th - 21

We can say that most home remedies try to solve some of the post-harvest problems of cut flowers, but there isn’t one among them that optimally supports leaf and flower development. All home remedies lack clear instructions regarding accurate dosage and composition. Also, the composition of nutrients is too small to support the natural development of flowers and leaves as it would occur on the plant. Chlorine An aggressive product for plant tissues, clothing and human skin. D

With our partner farm in Zimbabwe recently obtaining its final certification, all Marginpar flowers now meet the requirements of the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI). This means that every stem we grow, at our own farms and at our partner farms, comes from a place that's certified according to internationally recognised environmental and social standards. What is FSI? The Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI) is a global sector initiative that aims to make

Italian flowers are real eye-catchers; they are strong and colorful because they are carefully cultivated. But the real advantage lies in the climate. In this article, you'll learn why Italian flowers stay beautiful longer and how they strengthen your assortment. Quality Starts at the Source The Italian climate is ideal for growing flowers. With warm summers, more sun hours, and fresh nights, flowers can grow slowly and naturally. This ensures stronger stems, brighter colors,