It's not difficult to understand why the cut echeveria is becoming increasingly popular in Europe, especially in Germany, Austria and...

The duty of care law in the UK reflects the statutory duties you have as an employer. All organisations must adhere to their ‘duty of care’, regardless of the type of business, be it public, private or voluntary. For example, the law requires you to carry out a risk assessment . This will address all risks that might cause harm in your workplace. Another common law regarding duty of care to employees is consultation. Legally, you must consult employees on any health & safety

Pin Holders  As floral foam continues to fall out of favour, such as the banning of its use at RHS shows for example, the challenge for florists is how to create designs that can be constructed confidently without the use of dependable, water retaining floral foam.   ‘A traditional design using a pinholder at Chelsea Flower Show.’    This is when the pin holder, once relegated to the bottom of the workbox after the invention of foam, has come into its own once again.    So wh

Stress is a survival response that generates the fight or flight response to a real or perceived threat. Your body is designed to survive, and so your body protects itself by preparing to face or run from the perceived threat. The physical response to stress helps your body handle the threat by increasing the heart rate, pupils dilating to see better in the dark, the breath becomes faster to increase oxygen intake, your blood vessels redirect the blood flow away from the non-

Dianthus, or carnations as they are universally known, are a little like Marmite, some people love them, some can happily live without them. They should be a firm favourite for all though, as they are utterly reliable, long-lasting and are grown in a huge spectrum of colours. They may not have the delicate charm of spring flowers, the wow factor of bold Hippeastrum or the heady perfume of lilies, but they suite every occasion and where would we be without them? Different Ty

The way that florists buy flowers is changing. With the advent of social media we all know a little more about growers, particularly the...

For some florists, November can be a very hectic month, for some it’s a preparation and planning month and for quite a few, it’s very quiet.

So you've decided to start (or you already run) your own small business. Taking the plunge is a brave step and one that comes with its own unique set of challenges that can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers. Besides developing a fool-proof business plan and steering the ship, you’ll have to appoint and manage other individuals, if you're planning on expanding beyond a one person operation. With this in mind, you’ll need to be up-to-date and familiar with employment

A guide to bank fees for small businesses Keeping on top of your outgoings is essential for any business, but with so many fees...

Following the huge success of the inaugural award at the 2023 Interflora Word Cup in Manchester, this year Interflora chose the Harrogate...

We continue our series of videos, The Business of Floristry, bringing insight to the running of a florist business from our business guru, Karen Barnes. This video concentrates on key things you need to understand and consider around purchasing and wastage in your floristry business. Enjoy the rest of the series:

As a business you need to let your customers/clients know that you are at the top of your game, and by being aware of trends and keeping up with them, you are absolutely showcasing that you are current, showcasing your products, your styles and the ethos of your brand. Florists who consistently offer trendy and modern designs build a reputation for being creative and up-to-date. This can strengthen your brand, leading to more referrals and repeat business. Being known as a tr

There is more to organic flowers than just growing them without chemicals

I can remember as a very junior florist (well more of a sweeper and tidier really) getting in the delivery van with an ever-changing...

The Sustainable Floristry Network is an independent education organisation delivering online training for florists worldwide. Founded in...