National Houseplant Week falls conveniently into the lull that comes after the Christmas decs have been packed away and before the prep begins in earnest for Valentine’s Day.  A time when people need a little pick me up and, after recovering from a busy festive season, perhaps nothing too challenging either, so here are my personal top five houseplants that are guaranteed to chase away January blues and brighten up an otherwise grey month.  My top 5 Customer Friendly Plants 

Su Whale's comprehensive guide to choosing and using UK-grown flowers and foliage.

The tulip is an iconic spring bulb and one which has been growing steadily in popularity at Valentine’s Day

I personally love Winter greens with seasonal festive flowers, berries and branches. Planning ahead for your floral and plant collections over the Winter season is the key to positive sales and marketing and should help make peak trading manageable and profitable. Always look to your suppliers and think about where you can get the best stems, good quality and good prices; where possible negotiate on pricing and delivery dates.   Seasonal and British-grown flowers and foliage

Originating from South Africa, the Protea family is an ancient one, with evidence from fossils showing that they were growing 75-80 million years ago. They are unusual flowers, with lots of small, densely packed showy florets surrounded by waxy bracts, forming a cup shape. Spring flowering in their natural environment, cultivated Protea are available all year round, with different varieties peaking within that time.    What colours are Proteas available in?  Shades of pink an

With flower prices at a premium and ongoing supply worries, concerns have resurfaced over the cost and availability of red roses for St. Valentine’s Day .

There’s more than one way to say ‘I love you’ than with a dozen red roses, however gorgeous!

Cyclamen make great houseplants at this time of year, but did you know they can also be used as a cut flower and a foliage plant?

Roses, especially red, have been associated with love and romance since Roman times.

Su Whale shares some essential facts about Hippeastrum, surely the most flamboyant of Christmas flowers.

Beautiful berries without the prickles!   Christmas designs cry out for holly berries, and this particular Ilex is possibly one of the most impressive of all the Christmas foliage. Its tall, straight stems of impressive, bright berries will give contemporary arrangements height, brilliance and structure. It is excellent for contract Christmas designs when even just two or three stems will deliver that all important wow factor.   Commonly known as Winterberry, this variety of

Su Whale sings the praises of native South African flowers that become the stars of the show at this time of year.

Make the most of this fabulous seasonal favourite. Su Whale advises how to condition and use hyacinths in floral work.

Su Whale helps you choose the best blue-grey foliage for all your floristry work.

Su Whale shares her secrets to success with Schlumbergera, the Christmas cactus.