

East Durham College at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
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

Su Whale
May 292 min read


RHS Chelsea Flower Show - Creative Spaces
‘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

Su Whale
May 282 min read


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

Su Whale
May 262 min read


Chelsea Flower Show 2026 - Flowers under the microscope
‘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

Su Whale
May 222 min read


Chelsea in Bloom 2026 - An Intergalactic Wonderland
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

Su Whale
May 212 min read


Flowering Heather
Tough, dependable, versatile; there are lots of good things to say about heather, or ling, as it is sometimes known. A low growing, evergreen shrub, with tiny, bell-shaped flowers, heather is typically associated with moors and heathland. A popular rockery and garden plant, it is also sold as a cut flower and foliage. Calluna and Erica are the two most well-known genera of heather. They flower at different times of the year, extending the overall flowering period. Erica flo

Su Whale
May 142 min read


Preview: RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026
Floral highlights to be brought to you by the Interflora Floristry Trade Club Bullring Gate 2025 There is a lot of floral fabulousness at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, not just the well-established Chelsea Florist of the Year competition, but large scale installations to look forward to as well. The iconic RHS letters will be decorated by Hamilton Floral Studio, while the London and Bullring gates at the entrances to the showground both promise an abundance of British

Su Whale
May 132 min read


Houseplant Guide – All About Ficus
There's a fig houseplant for every situation. Su Whale shares her top picks.

Su Whale
May 122 min read


Ravishing Ranunculus featuring Floristry Tips from Su Whale
One of the joys of spring, Ranunculus are an absolute delight. Su Whale explains how to make the most of them.

Su Whale
May 113 min read


RHS Malvern Spring Festival - Fabulous Floral Tablescapes
When is a shed not a shed? When it is overflowing with flowers, foliage and seasonal botanicals such as those on display at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival. The Floral Tablescaping competition was the show’s first foray into exhibiting professional floristry and the five competitors selected rose magnificently to the occasion. Gold & Best in Show ‘At the Threshold: The Garden Comes to the Table’ Ashley Edwards Ashtree Floral Designs Congratulations to Birmingham florist

Su Whale
May 82 min read


In Season: Lily of the Valley
This spring favourite needs careful handling and conditioning, as Su Whale explains.

Su Whale
May 82 min read


Bee-Friendly Flowers
Bees are in decline, so its up to the floristry industry to do our bit by promoting bee-friendly plants. Su Whale explains more.

Su Whale
May 51 min read


What's Available from UK Growers in May
As we approach peak growing season, growers across the UK are rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into a full-on season of beautiful British blooms. During May there are still some delicate, late spring, early summer gems to enjoy before blousy, colourful summer flowers arrive to dominate the market. Polygonatum multiflorum Common Name: Solomon’s seal An unusual flowering perennial and a charming cut flower which prefers damp, shady conditions. Hardy, it will gr

Su Whale
May 12 min read


Lovely Longiflorum featuring Floristry Tips from Su Whale
Longiflorum lilies are at their best right now. Su Whale explains how to care for them to get the best from their scent, colour and form.

Su Whale
May 12 min read






