East Durham College’s informative and colourful exhibit at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show was based on the science of tropism. Led by tutor Allan Raby the students created a display which gave a visual, floral interpretation of one of nature’s most fascinating phenomena. What is a tropism? It’s defined as the directional movement of a plant in response to a stimulus. This reaction can be both negative and positive. If the stimulus requires the plant to move towards it, that

Companies House, the official register for UK companies, is an essential resource for smaller business owners. It provides public access to personal, specific company, and financial information of registered companies, and is a valuable tool for those looking to assess the credibility of potential business partners, suppliers, and customers. However, many small business owners aren't familiar with the responsibilities and services provided by Companies House. That's why we've

A cottage garden classic, Astrantia has tiny, star-shaped flowers surrounded by a ruff of colourful petals. Their slim, wiry stems project a delicate appearance, but they are actually quite sturdy and long-lasting as a cut flower. Commonly known as Great Masterwort, or Hattie’s pincushion, as the centre of the flower looks not dissimilar to pins stuck into a cushion, although who Hattie was remains a mystery. Hollow stemmed, they are in the Apiaceae family, alongside Angelica

Who doesn’t love the look of beautiful, colourful wildflowers? They radiate harmony, a sense of calm and offer a natural vibe with their delicate heads and random stem growth. I have found that in the last 5-6 years wildflowers have become even more popular with couples when discussing their wedding flowers. Often asked if I can create a ‘Meadow’ theme for their ceremony, reception and wedding party bouquets and buttonholes, wildflowers are my inspiration when designing and c

recreate a slice of that feel good summer sunshine by stocking vibrant summer climbers such as Bougainvillea and Gloriosa.

For every business, knowing how to manage long-term sickness is vital.

Many business owners hesitate to draw a "line in the sand" due to fears of seeming unkind or confrontational, yet setting clear, respectful boundaries is an act of kindness that protects employees' welfare, preserves trust, and safeguards the business's long-term survival. When done in a balanced way, these boundaries prevent issues from escalating into disputes or risks, turning potential conflict into an opportunity to strengthen relationships and leadership. Picture yourse

There is something magical about the arrival of Summer in Britain. I think it’s because the gardens come to life, we start to see buzzy bees, white butterflies and bursts of colour in the hedgerows. We are so lucky to work with flowers, they are beautiful, they are unpredictable, they bring joy (and lots of hard work) and when the Summer season arrives, British-grown flowers come into their own. Every season has its beauty, but summer belongs to British-grown flowers. Their f

Our ambassador Madita from Grace and Flowers got to work with gladioli, and became an instant fan. The gladiolus might once have had a bit of a corny or boring reputation, but a lot has changed in gladiolus-land. Madita, for instance, highlights the remarkable texture the flower has. Just look at the jagged edges of the Flamenco varieties.

While most employees have the right to take breaks at work, as a business owner it’s not mandatory that you pay for them.

Heat changes the conditions a cut flower depends on to survive, and once you understand what happens inside the stem, summer wilt becomes easier to prevent or manage. You’ve likely noticed that a bouquet that would have lasted ten days in early spring can look tired within a few days once the height of summer sets in. Often, the temptation is to assume something went wrong at the flower shop. Cut flowers in a bouquet or vase should typically last a week or thereabouts before

In this article, we look at the variety of business insurance cover you should consider as a florist business owner.

The wedding location is often just as personal as the flowers. Whether it is a castle, barn or beach, the florals should not only reflect the couple but also complement the setting, atmosphere and weather conditions. For florists seeking an even bigger challenge, why not consider a romantic sailboat or a secluded beach? The arrangements must be able to withstand wind and waves while capturing the ethereal yet adventurous spirit of the open sea. Sylvia Hartmann embraced all of

Su Whale catches up with third generation cut flower grower and wholesaler James Cock

A small business guide to asset finance: what it is, how it works, the main types including hire purchase and leasing, the benefits, and how to apply. Most businesses need physical assets to operate and grow: vehicles, machinery, manufacturing plant, IT systems, specialist tools or equipment. The problem is that these things are expensive, and paying the full cost upfront can tie up a large amount of cash that a small business would rather keep for day-to-day operations. Asse