One of the joys of spring, Ranunculus are an absolute delight. Su Whale explains how to make the most of them.

Whether you're hiring your first employee or expanding your team, find out what you should include in a successful staff induction. Bringing new staff into your business means you need to align them with your business practices, and your way of working. The first step to doing this is via your staff induction. However, your induction covers much more than just training - it’s the formal introduction of the new staff member to your business. HR essentials As soon as possible,

Ever thought of Summer as being a real opportunity to promote your floral décor skills outdoors? As creative people, we should always be considering new angles and ideas to market and promote our business’s and skills, and Summer is a fabulous season to be inspired without door spaces. From patio areas and gardens to larger spaces that require the beauty and colour of flowers. Why Summer outdoor floral décor?

The Farewell Flowers Directory (TFFD) is primed to stage the first ever display of funeral floristry at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025...

Over the years I have worked in many florists’ shops, all with very different business and design styles. However, the one thing that has always struck me is the strange way we approach the cost of something with customers. I can think of no other industry where a customer would be asked how much they would like to spend and yet every florists I have worked in uses this exact phrase!

One of the hotly anticipated flower festivals of 2025 is being held at the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire this week, the...

Very aptly named, Myosotis (pronounced MY-oh-so-tis) or ‘forget-me-not’ is a true blue flower with grey-green foliage which peppers gardens and carpets woodlands in late spring. Small and delicate with soft, hairy stems, it is often requested as part of a funeral tribute, for obvious reasons.  Why ‘forget-me-not’? There are various romantic stories as to how it acquired its common name. A symbol of love since the Middle Ages, it was said that anyone who wore a sprig would nev

Discover why understanding the development process behind your florist software is crucial. Learn the benefits of in-house development, strategic outsourcing, and how these choices impact your business’s reliability, customisation, and data security. As a florist, you dedicate yourself to crafting beautiful arrangements and delivering exceptional service. Behind the scenes, your florist software is the backbone of your operations, helping you manage orders, inventory, and del

Seven years ago, a search began for the perfect purple Celosia, one that doesn’t constantly need adjustments in lighting, temperature,...

Most customers will gravitate towards a plant that they like the look of, not perhaps considering its care other than the two most commonly asked questions which are also the most basic, where can I put it and how often does it need watering?  To help your customers chose, ask them a few questions in return, after all just because they like a plant, it may not be the right one for them, so how can you find the perfect match?   Firstly, find out what they want from their house

Finding the right small business funding can be a game-changer, whether you're launching a start-up or scaling an existing business. But with so many options available - grants, investors, crowdfunding, and alternative finance - it’s essential to choose the right funding source for your needs. In this guide, we’ll break down different funding types, explain how to find investors and highlight opportunities such as government grants for businesses. By understanding your option

Lilies are one of the world's most popular and recognisable flowers, with thousands of varieties to choose from. Full of meaning and significance they have been cultivated for centuries, with the Greeks and Romans growing them for both ornamental and medicinal purposes.  Associated with purity and innocence, Lilies also symbolise unity and peace.

Su Whale shares her tips on using alliums in floristry work and advises how to avoid the smell of onions!

It has been some years now since the use of floral foam was banned at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, (although Agrawool is accepted) and with...

Su discovers forget-me-nots coming up everywhere and explains how best to use them in floristry.