I was overjoyed last week to receive news from New Covent Garden Market that the Flower Market was re-opening on the 15th June which is also the start of British Flowers Week. This celebration of British Flowers, Foliage and Plants is led by New Covent Garden Market. This and next years theme is ‘Healing’; they want to celebrate the calming effect cut flowers, foliage and plants can have, which is so important as we find ourselves at a time of uncertainty and change.
I remember vividly being at Wholesale Florist Direct, my local wholesaler just before lockdown and talking about what lockdown would mean for Floristry businesses and our clients, it was scary. Thankfully the UK is opening up slowly and flowers are again available. Now more than ever choosing British Flowers can only be good for many reasons including supporting British local businesses ... it is a lovely feeling working with beautiful blooms grown on our soil.
Because of the shortage of blooms I made good use of my garden as well as snipping from friends and families gardens, and this has certainly refocused my mind on seasonal flowers. Where I live we have a weekly Friday produce market, Jan Day sells British Flowers she sources from Lincolnshire growers. At the moment we have Sweet Williams, Peonies, Sunflowers, Scabious, Stocks and Nigella in all their glory. Sadly, Jan shared with me that because Ranunculus was in season during lockdown most where left to rot - will certainly treasure them more next year.
Stay safe & enjoy your British Flowers & Foliage.
