I don’t know about you, but running a business with deliveries, talking to brides, updating the website, keeping on top of what is happening on socials, email marketing, bookkeeping and accounts, and managing the team, all while keeping myself (relatively) healthy and sane, is almost impossible and definitely more than a full-time job. Wine helps. Research on government grants was so far down my list, I couldn't even see it. So, when I started thinking about this month’s blog

There were some pretty amazing florals decorating the World Cup in Manchester; every one was constructed without using floral foam

New Lloyds research reveals how rising expectations around speed, convenience and flexibility are reshaping retail and why payments now matter well beyond the checkout. New research from Lloyds reveals that 91% of UK retail business owners and decision-makers say adapting to changing customer behaviour is now a top business priority, as retailers face growing pressure to deliver faster, easier and more flexible experiences, both in-store and behind the scenes. The new report,

These tropical houseplants will provide welcome shade and give a jungle vibe to conservatories or courtyards.

Ideal for customers who are looking for a low maintenance, stylish, on-trend gift suitable for the home, office or workspace. What is a Terrarium? It is simply a miniature garden of indoor plants arranged within a container, typically glass, intended to be displayed indoors. What are the benefits of a Terrarium? Because they are so compact they are easy to maintain, as they are designed so that the plants inside create their own microsystem, so minimum care is required.

If this year’s Chelsea in Bloom was anything to go by, then the flower of the moment is without a doubt Gypsophila. There were hundreds, possibly even thousands of stems of this versatile, tiny white flower spotted in installations from Sloane Square right down the King’s Road and beyond. Why is Gypsophila so popular? It’s a great value for money flower as a little goes a long way, it also takes spray paint, dye and glitter easily. And despite its fragile appearance, it is m

Su Whale looks at popular umbels enjoying a fashionable moment in floristry.

Where to start with creating more sustainable bouquets? The obvious answer is with UK-grown flowers as they must have a lower carbon footprint and therefore result in a lower emission bouquet, right? Well, that’s not always possible when you need year-round flower availability. So, how do you make the most informed choices for a lower carbon bouquet? Key Research Findings There’s actually very little research into the carbon emissions of specific flower and foliage species, s

"Never stop learning" is Viv Bradford's advice as she explains why continuous personal development is so important.

Father’s Day is a big occasion and although not as big as Mother’s Day for us florists, we should not forget that we can create more business and more awareness of our expertise when creating gifts for loved ones and special occasions. Father’s Day can mean so much to so many of us and when we have an opportunity to say, “I love you”, “Thank you for everything”, “Thank you for always being there”, what could be a better way, than giving flowers or a beautiful plant? There

Discover the green business grants available to UK small businesses in 2026, from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to Innovate UK funding, and learn how to apply successfully. Making your business more sustainable is one of the most important investments you can make right now. Energy costs are up, customers increasingly expect green credentials, and the UK government has committed to reaching net zero by 2050. The problem is that doing it properly costs money that many small busine

Grutsch Gartenbau in Germany shows that growing flowers can go hand in hand with sustainability and biodiversity. The nursery is an inspiring example of how flower production can have a minimal ecological footprint while supporting nature. At Grutsch, all flowers grow entirely outdoors, no greenhouses involved. This means the flowers follow nature’s rhythm, from May to October. This seasonal approach produces stronger, more resilient flowers with intense colours. Because all

Any florist who currently takes wedding bookings would be hard pushed to ignore the change in styles that is evident this year, and only set to take a stronger hold over the next two years. The days of loose, wispy wildflower bouquets is waning and in its place are structured cascading bouquets with a modern twist, bridesmaid’s bouquets are smaller, ultra-modern and a few varieties of flowers are featuring over and over again in images coming over from the USA and Australia.

When? 15th - 21st June Theme: Flowers for the Future What is British Flowers Week? The week is a celebration of the UK’s cut flower industry. Since its launch in 2013 by New Covent Garden Flower Market, it has grown in size and impact as consumers become more aware of the origins and sustainability of flowers. In 2024, Flowers from the Farm, a professional trade organisation for over 1000 independent growers, took over running this annual event. 2026 is the United Nations Int

An industry dominated by women, built on birdsong and biodiversity, has spent years invisible to government statistics. That changes now. Walk into a British flower farm in summer and the birdsong is almost deafening. But until this week, the Treasury couldn't hear it. The £30 million a year generated by the UK's flower farming industry has, until now, been invisible, absorbed into the catch-all figures of broader agriculture, its contribution uncounted, its flower growers un