Silvery foliage for designs has never been so relevant as we celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Su Whale finds some of the best.

Marking RHS National Gardening Week 27th April – 3rd May. Why choose Succulents? Easy to care for, with an appeal to both adults and children, there is something very charming about the symmetry and muted colours of these slow-growing, sturdy plants. Their requirements are not complicated, making them straightforward to plant up, look after and sell. Where to display Succulents Succulents need a bright spot, away from direct sunlight, and as they appreciate fresh air, can be

Just before we are overtaken by the lush shades of summer, there is still time to pep up your spring designs with brilliant touches of lemon and lime foliage. Citrus tones can bring a whole host of colours to life, particularly when combined with the jewel palette of late spring, such as deep pink Ranunculus, orange Tulips or cobalt blue Cornflowers. How to use lemon in designs Lemon is a tint of yellow; it radiates out of designs bringing warmth and freshness. It is associat

One of the few climbing garden plants to migrate successfully into the cut flower market, trailing Clematis with its simple, open petals, wiry stems and elegant leaves is now an essential summer flower. Used extensively in bridal work, competitions and installations, the range of colours and longevity of Clematis is constantly expanding and being improved. It all started in 2006 when Dutch growers Marginpar developed Clematis ‘Blue Pirouette’ which was at the time, the only C

Su Whale shares her favourite UK grown flowers to bridge the gap between spring and summer.

If cabbages make you think of school dinners, think again! For this versatile vegetable, otherwise known in floristry as the ornamental cabbage, has worked its way into becoming a seasonal floral fixture. What Is Cabbage Crush Pinterest Trend 2026 Pinterest has released its latest annual Pinterest Predicts report, which highlights 21 trends it expects to take off in 2026. The motto for 2026? Live, laugh, leaf! With Cabbage Crush Boomers and Gen X will say goodbye to their

When it comes to wedding florals, not everyone immediately thinks of wedding greenery. But it’s actually one of the most important parts of bringing your designs to life. Greenery is the background that adds depth and texture to your wedding florals. So, let’s start with the basics and talk about wedding greenery. Why Wedding Greenery Is Important There is something about greenery that makes floral arrangements feel fuller, fresher, and more organic. It is the base of your de

A popular and well-known indoor houseplant, the Peace Lily (or Spathiphyllum wallisii to give it its botanical name) is fairly easy to look after and will reward the dedicated plant parent with not just glossy green year round foliage, but elegant white flowers too. And that’s not all , it will earn its position by absorbing pollutants in the air, breaking them down to use as microbes in its compost. Its air cleaning abilities have put it into NASA’s top ten houseplants, as i

Timeless roses and a soft pastel colour palette. Su Whale describes the detail.

They are fabulous as cut flowers, everyone knows that, but as an indoor plant, Zantedeschia or Arum/Calla lily, are equally spectacular. Tall and impressive, their stylish arrow shaped leaves and elegant trumpet blooms mark them out as an exclusive, luxury buy. Native to South America, Zantedeschia are a tropical flower in the Araceae plant group, the same as Anthurium. Getting to know the origin of your plants is always useful, as it gives you and your customer a better und

Su Whale shows how spring flowering bulbs can make profitable impulse purchases for Easter gifting.

Flowering, potted Kalanchoe is one of our most recognisable houseplants, inexpensive and cheerful, it can flower for months. The Kalanchoe as a cut flower however does not have such universal recognition, even though it shares the same long-lasting qualities and is able to retain its beauty for up to four weeks. Did you know? Kalanchoe (pronounced Kal-an-co-e) is a succulent which can survive for several days without water, so can be transported dry, which cuts down its en

Is there a true blue flower? Fewer than it would appear actually, as many blue flowers are often, on closer inspection, a combination of shades and hues of lilac, violet, purple or even turquoise (a combination of blue and green). Spring is an abundant season for blue, or nearly blue flowers however; Anemone, Muscari, Myosotis and Hyacinth bloom in every shade of this popular, enduring colour. A little bit about blue Blue is a primary colour, alongside red and yellow, but

Su Whale encourages us all to create more sales opportunities with houseplants.

Su Whale explores spring flowers typically associated with Easter.