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

In an era where convenience often trumps craftsmanship, floristry remains one of the few retail sectors where detail is not just important, it is everything. “Retail is Detail” is more than a catchy phrase; it is a philosophy that separates thriving florists from those merely surviving. From the angle of a bouquet to the scent that greets a customer at the door, every touchpoint contributes to perception, loyalty, and ultimately, profitability. For florists, detail is very im

As a smaller business, every penny counts. Here, AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) explain how you can create a budget and get a clearer idea of your expected income and expenses. Budgeting is so important for making sure you keep track of your spending and meet your business goals. A simple yet thorough budget can be completed in an evening and can save your business time and money in the long term. Whether you’re a new or established business, understanding the ba

Create an eco-conscious celebration with locally sourced blooms and sustainable practices that honour nature. Weddings celebrate love, but they can leave a surprisingly large environmental footprint. From mass-produced flowers to single-use décor, traditional choices often generate unnecessary waste. The good news is that choosing sustainable wedding flowers doesn't mean compromising on style or beauty. Quite the opposite, couples who go the eco-conscious route often end up w

Celebrating Chelsea Flower Show success – and it didn’t cost them a penny. There is more to Chelsea than just gorgeous blooms and perfect plants, an important part of the show is its educational element. That was certainly the message put across by the East Durham College whose student-led exhibit on the different types of tropism was a masterclass in design, execution and teamwork. Each year the RHS invites colleges to apply to be part of the floristry element in the Grea

Founded in 2013, British Flowers Week 2026 coincides with the United Nations' International Year of the Woman Farmer. Entrepreneurial women are at the forefront of the UK flower growing sector, which has impressive representation across the UK. This year, Flowers from the Farm has published new data that demonstrates the increased demand for British-grown flowers and continues to spotlight innovative growers through the British Flowers Week festival, which runs from 15th - 21

‘A laboratory of blooms exploring the connections between science and art’ This was an opportunity for floral designers and artists to be able to spread their creative wings, and the theme certainly gave them plenty of scope to present flora, plants and fungi in a challenging but also perceptive way. This category is not judged for medals but one display is chosen for an award by the RHS Floristry Ambassadors, Simon Lycett and Nikki Chapman. RHS Floristry Ambassadors Awa

We can say that most home remedies try to solve some of the post-harvest problems of cut flowers, but there isn’t one among them that optimally supports leaf and flower development. All home remedies lack clear instructions regarding accurate dosage and composition. Also, the composition of nutrients is too small to support the natural development of flowers and leaves as it would occur on the plant. Chlorine An aggressive product for plant tissues, clothing and human skin. D

Summer weddings have a magic all of their own. Long days, golden evenings and gardens in full bloom, create the perfect backdrop for unforgettable celebrations. Flowers can make or break a wedding day because at the heart of a beautiful, emotional and special day are flowers. Flowers soften spaces, tell stories, and bring a couple’s vision to life. But while floral dreams may be limitless, budgets often are not! The good news? With thoughtful planning and a little creativity,

Starting or running a business can feel like an exciting adventure, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. From keeping track of finances to navigating legal rules and finding your first customers, there’s a lot to figure out. The good news? No matter where you are in your business journey, there’s plenty of free support available to help you along the way. We spoke to Joseph Babalola, Head of Cash flow lending at Funding Bay, to understand some of the key aspe

Confused by UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations? Learn exactly what e-waste is, how your small business must handle disposal, and the strict new 2026 legal updates. In 2026, a single laptop tossed into the wrong bin is a criminal liability for a UK small business. Between the total ban on disposable vapes and the new 2026 home-collection mandates for large appliances, WEEE compliance is no longer a 'nice-to-do', it is a legal minefield. In the UK,

Su Whale offers advice on how to create wedding cake flowers and what to avoid.

‘Floral Laboratory’ was the imaginative theme for this year’s floristry competition, encouraging the participants to explore the relationship between flowers, science and art. They rose to the challenge magnificently. RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year & Gold Nature Magnified JL Floral Design Inspired by the minute detail of stem structures on microscope slides, Jade Loftus’ meticulous design highlighted and enlarged the unseen systems that underpin plant growth. Circular

As an employer you’ll most commonly use time off in lieu (TOIL) when you require employees to work extra hours or days. It essentially operates as an incentive where there is the demand for extra hours, giving employees additional time off as compensation for the additional hours worked. TOIL is useful in environments that encourage flexible working as it allows employees and your business to negotiate working hours. What is time in lieu? The meaning of time off in “In lieu”

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Chelsea in Bloom, whose retailers embraced this year’s theme ‘Out of this World’ with the usual creativity, imagination and enthusiasm we have come to expect from London’s biggest free flower festival. Shops, restaurants, pubs and hotels were transformed with spaceships, moons, planets, suns and stars; there was even a life size Tardis. While, for the more spiritually minded, astrology, tarot cards and mythical characters such as mermai