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.

What is Plastic Free July? It is shared global movement helping millions of people reduce their reliance on single use plastic. The initiative was founded in 2011 by local government officials in Western Australia, where it was originally a simple idea that involved around 40 people. From this humble beginning it developed into the Plastic Free Foundation and from this comes Plastic Free July which is the biggest waste avoidance campaign on the planet. What is single use pla

High summer means flower growers across the UK are in full production. Su Whale guides you through the best UK-grown flowers available now.

Wednesday 1st July 2026, marks an important milestone under the Employment Rights Act 2025. From the first of January 2027, the qualifying service requirement for unfair dismissal claims will reduce from two years to six months, meaning employees will gain protection much earlier in their employment. This will impact anyone hired from Wednesday 1st July 2026 onwards. Previously, an employee had to be employed by you for 2 years before being able to claim unfair dismissal. To

Love your houseplants? Need to know what’s trending? Chelsea Flower Show’s popular Houseplant Studios were the place to head for everything new and innovative in the world of indoor gardening. Now a permanent feature at the event, the plants are displayed in attractive wooden summer houses in a leafy corner of the showground. The six studios are practically gardens in their own right, as they take over not just the interior but the exterior too, allowing visitors to get the f

Karen Barnes is an expert at identifying and interpreting key seasonal trends and translating them into commercial opportunities for florists. Staying ahead of seasonal trends is essential for any successful florist, and Summer 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. Karen Barnes from the Interflora Floristry Trade Club explores the emerging “Wild Poise” trend, a beautiful fusion of wildflower styling, bold textures, and striking colour combinations that custom

Paulina Nieliwocki of Blue Jasmine Floral in the USA shares her ......... When designing in an analogous fashion, I like to vary the tones within each hue to create depth and movement. The beauty of the transition lies in its subtlety. The colours flow from one to the next, guiding the eye without abrupt contrast. In this ombre-style arrangement, the palette moves from saturated orange with yellow undertones, to a warmer orange touched with pink, then softens into cream befor

Five years ago, we launched our original Big Green Plan with 22 ambitious targets designed to drive more responsible manufacturing, reduce our environmental impact, and strengthen accountability across our operations. As we reflect on that journey, we’re incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made together. To date, 15 of those targets have been achieved or exceeded, with meaningful progress delivered across every goal. Since 2021, we’ve made significant changes to how we ope

Viv Bradford explains the threat of ethylene gas and how to protect your fresh flower stock from its effects.

Setting up a new business is a challenging and exciting time. You undoubtedly have a lot to think about

Modern buyers increasingly connect with brands that communicate identity, purpose, and authentic human experiences. The floral industry has always been built around products. Stem length, vase life, colour consistency, transport quality, and production volume have traditionally shaped how businesses position themselves in the market. These factors still matter, but they are no longer enough on their own. The market has changed, and so has the way people make purchasing decisi

Many of you will be enjoying the warm weather by heading to the seaside or firing up the barbecue – but while hot weather can be enjoyable, it also brings health risks. At HMCA, we encourage our members to stay informed and take practical steps to protect their wellbeing. Hot weather can place strain on the body and may lead to: Dehydration Overheating, which can worsen existing medical conditions Heat exhaustion or heatstroke Older adults and people with underlying health co