It may have been the middle of a heatwave, but that didn’t stop crowds of people attending the RHS’s new flower show at Badminton. This large country estate in South Gloucestershire is famous for its horse trials, but its grounds were filled this time with show gardens, trade stands and some fabulous florals. Floral Horse Jumps In recognition of Badminton’s equine credentials, the floristry students at City of Bristol College had lavishly decorated five full size horse jumps.

Nothing says summer more than the industrious buzzing of bees as they harvest the rich pollen of Lavender. This highly scented evergreen is not just for pollinators though, as a fresh cut or dried flower it has a myriad of uses in floristry too. Fresh Lavender Fresh Lavender is generally sold by weight and can be bought in bunches wholesale from March onwards (depending on the weather). In the garden, Lavender flowers naturally from June to September when it can be cut and

What is Plastic Free July? It is shared global movement helping millions of people reduce their reliance on single use plastic. The initiative was founded in 2011 by local government officials in Western Australia, where it was originally a simple idea that involved around 40 people. From this humble beginning it developed into the Plastic Free Foundation and from this comes Plastic Free July which is the biggest waste avoidance campaign on the planet. What is single use pla

High summer means flower growers across the UK are in full production. Su Whale guides you through the best UK-grown flowers available now.

Love your houseplants? Need to know what’s trending? Chelsea Flower Show’s popular Houseplant Studios were the place to head for everything new and innovative in the world of indoor gardening. Now a permanent feature at the event, the plants are displayed in attractive wooden summer houses in a leafy corner of the showground. The six studios are practically gardens in their own right, as they take over not just the interior but the exterior too, allowing visitors to get the f

Su Whale offers you cultivated solutions to the wildflower challenge.

From Miniature to Magnificence You can guarantee that London’s Garden Museum’s annual celebration of British Flowers Week will always produce not just floral abundance but thought-provoking installations from designers who have delved deep into the brief. This year, they were inspired by the Museum’s exhibit of the life of artist and gardener Cedric Morris. If his name is not familiar, some of the flowers that he grew may well be, the Benton Iris, a favourite at Chelsea Flowe

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

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.

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

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