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florist lisa in her english country garden

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A relaxing morning, a tour of the cut flower beds, then fresh coffee & homemade slice while I demo my hand tied spiral bouquet technique and gift wrapping so you can do it too this summer. Come on your own or bring a friend keen to grow or who just love flowers. April 25th then dates in May, June, July and September. We are 15 mins from Shifnal and Albrighton & only 25 mins from Bridgnorth. Tickets £20 each. Then maybe head off for a nice lunch at nearby David Austin Roses or Ironbridge. A lovely weekend morning. DM or Email me @gatehouseflorals.com to book. Lisa 🌸

A relaxing morning, a tour of the cut flower beds, then fresh coffee & homemade slice while I demo my hand tied spiral bouquet technique and gift wrapping so you can do it too this summer. Come on your own or bring a friend keen to grow or who just love flowers. April 25th then dates in May, June, July and September. We are 15 mins from Shifnal and Albrighton & only 25 mins from Bridgnorth. Tickets £20 each. Then maybe head off for a nice lunch at nearby David Austin Roses or Ironbridge. A lovely weekend morning. DM or Email me @gatehouseflorals.com to book. Lisa 🌸

Meet my newest member of staff at Gate House Florals! He shows great promise. He’s still a little shy and nervous at times but we think he will soon love the peace of the garden and enjoy being throughly spoiled by us and my workshop guests!
First one is Flower Club on Saturday 25th April 10am-12pm a gentle start to the weekend, with a tour of the flower beds, I’ll share all my growing tips ( ask me any questions) then relax with morning coffee and cake while I demo making a spiral bouquet and wrapping in paper technique. Come on your own or with a friend who also loves gardens and flowers or dreaming of starting a cutting garden. Tickets £20 per person. DM or email gatehouseflorals@gmail.com
Lisa 🌸

Meet my newest member of staff at Gate House Florals! He shows great promise. He’s still a little shy and nervous at times but we think he will soon love the peace of the garden and enjoy being throughly spoiled by us and my workshop guests!
First one is Flower Club on Saturday 25th April 10am-12pm a gentle start to the weekend, with a tour of the flower beds, I’ll share all my growing tips ( ask me any questions) then relax with morning coffee and cake while I demo making a spiral bouquet and wrapping in paper technique. Come on your own or with a friend who also loves gardens and flowers or dreaming of starting a cutting garden. Tickets £20 per person. DM or email gatehouseflorals@gmail.com
Lisa 🌸

It’s much easier to create a spiral bouquet by selecting the individual stems this way. Each stem is so easy to pick up and put down too- no tangles in buckets of water.
I’ll be giving a demo and tips on how to make a spiral hand tied bouquet and a tour of the flower beds here on Saturday 25th April 10:00-12:00pm at my new (one Saturday a month) “Flower Club”. A very casual and friendly gathering in the garden here at GHF H.Q in Ryton, Shropshire. All the dates are listed and you can book places on one, some or all dates. We start with a tour of the flower beds and then enjoy my famous homemade honey biscuits and coffee/tea while I do the demo which changes each month. It’s my idea just to have a relaxing way to ease into the weekend in the garden with the flowers. Tickets are limited as I am keeping it as a small gathering of flower and garden lovers having some “green time- me time”. DM me or email me via my website. All details are on my Workshops page on my website Gate House Florals. Lisa 🌸

It’s much easier to create a spiral bouquet by selecting the individual stems this way. Each stem is so easy to pick up and put down too- no tangles in buckets of water.
I’ll be giving a demo and tips on how to make a spiral hand tied bouquet and a tour of the flower beds here on Saturday 25th April 10:00-12:00pm at my new (one Saturday a month) “Flower Club”. A very casual and friendly gathering in the garden here at GHF H.Q in Ryton, Shropshire. All the dates are listed and you can book places on one, some or all dates. We start with a tour of the flower beds and then enjoy my famous homemade honey biscuits and coffee/tea while I do the demo which changes each month. It’s my idea just to have a relaxing way to ease into the weekend in the garden with the flowers. Tickets are limited as I am keeping it as a small gathering of flower and garden lovers having some “green time- me time”. DM me or email me via my website. All details are on my Workshops page on my website Gate House Florals. Lisa 🌸

I’m a @nasaartemis astronaut today! 😂 One of my flowers beds just crusty rocks and craters. Anyone else relate? Maybe I should bag it up….Moon dust anyone? 😉😂

I’m a @nasaartemis astronaut today! 😂 One of my flowers beds just crusty rocks and craters. Anyone else relate? Maybe I should bag it up….Moon dust anyone? 😉😂

When you buy my flowers, join my flower clubs and workshops you can be sure the flowers have been grown and arranged with the planet in mind. No one is perfect, including me(!), but we can all just try to do the best we can. The SFN programme of learning modules taught me how little steps make a big difference e.g minimising waste and using locally grown flowers. I’ll be sharing lots of my simple sustainable floristry tips at my new Saturday morning, once a month flower clubs- details now on my website under the “Workshops”tab. #sfnmemberflorist

When you buy my flowers, join my flower clubs and workshops you can be sure the flowers have been grown and arranged with the planet in mind. No one is perfect, including me(!), but we can all just try to do the best we can. The SFN programme of learning modules taught me how little steps make a big difference e.g minimising waste and using locally grown flowers. I’ll be sharing lots of my simple sustainable floristry tips at my new Saturday morning, once a month flower clubs- details now on my website under the “Workshops”tab. #sfnmemberflorist

Cutting your garden flowers at the right time is key to having flowers that last a long time in a vase. I’ll be sharing lots of my flower growing and arranging tips at my new Flower Clubs this year which start in April. One a month on a Saturday morning, join me for a casual tour in the cutting garden, I’ll share lots of tips and then watch me do a demo of sustainable arranging whilst having a cup of coffee and slice of cake. A great way to spend a Saturday morning in spring and summer. Further details on my website Gate House Florals under the workshops tab. My fresh flower season opens next month- can’t wait! 🌸☀️😃Lisa

Cutting your garden flowers at the right time is key to having flowers that last a long time in a vase. I’ll be sharing lots of my flower growing and arranging tips at my new Flower Clubs this year which start in April. One a month on a Saturday morning, join me for a casual tour in the cutting garden, I’ll share lots of tips and then watch me do a demo of sustainable arranging whilst having a cup of coffee and slice of cake. A great way to spend a Saturday morning in spring and summer. Further details on my website Gate House Florals under the workshops tab. My fresh flower season opens next month- can’t wait! 🌸☀️😃Lisa

Ok tell me your tips to protecting Rununculus claws from being eaten, because whilst I love wildlife, these were my beautiful, new specialist size 5/7 claws that I was so excited to be growing for my bouquets this year. Well someone has had a nice feast but I need to be better prepared next time. Anyone else had this happen and found the solution?

Ok tell me your tips to protecting Rununculus claws from being eaten, because whilst I love wildlife, these were my beautiful, new specialist size 5/7 claws that I was so excited to be growing for my bouquets this year. Well someone has had a nice feast but I need to be better prepared next time. Anyone else had this happen and found the solution?

Behind the scenes it’s busy bee time for all flower growers and gardeners. It seems ALL flower seeds need to be sown in March 😂 This year I actually have a sowing calendar on a very smart spreadsheet. Thanks to Mr H for helping me set this up as he is the spreadsheet wizard in this house, although he then did see just how many seeds I have … whoops 🥴. The plan is to keep on track and NOT sow all my seeds in the same week - problem is that’s it’s only week 2 and I already have a full greenhouse…
Tell me I’m not the only one 🥴

Behind the scenes it’s busy bee time for all flower growers and gardeners. It seems ALL flower seeds need to be sown in March 😂 This year I actually have a sowing calendar on a very smart spreadsheet. Thanks to Mr H for helping me set this up as he is the spreadsheet wizard in this house, although he then did see just how many seeds I have … whoops 🥴. The plan is to keep on track and NOT sow all my seeds in the same week - problem is that’s it’s only week 2 and I already have a full greenhouse…
Tell me I’m not the only one 🥴

When open tulips look fabulous in bouquets, vases and arrangements. This is tulip Menton - it’s beautiful on the outside as well as inside. Perfect for spring flowers in the house and Easter. I love the inner petal when reflexes so much I have planted and grown more bulbs this year. My tulips and spring flowers are peeping up and I expect them to be up ready for a starring roll in my spring bouquet orders in mid April and at my new monthly Saturday Flower Club - details to follow but if you can’t wait it’s on my website workshop page 🌸

When open tulips look fabulous in bouquets, vases and arrangements. This is tulip Menton - it’s beautiful on the outside as well as inside. Perfect for spring flowers in the house and Easter. I love the inner petal when reflexes so much I have planted and grown more bulbs this year. My tulips and spring flowers are peeping up and I expect them to be up ready for a starring roll in my spring bouquet orders in mid April and at my new monthly Saturday Flower Club - details to follow but if you can’t wait it’s on my website workshop page 🌸

Anyone else relate? Because I always wanted to be a librarian stamping things 😂 well now I have my very own little business stamps and some cute ink colours. Yup - it’s been a long winter 😂 You can bet I’ll be stamping EVERYTHING for the next few days….but mostly my Kraft paper wraps and labels so I’ll have a very smart new look to my bouquets this year.
And just to say the sun has come out, we have 10 hours of daylight and temperatures have risen so seed sowing is Go! I’ve started sowing my favourite hardy annuals this week- so get going everyone, hooray. 🙌 🌱

Anyone else relate? Because I always wanted to be a librarian stamping things 😂 well now I have my very own little business stamps and some cute ink colours. Yup - it’s been a long winter 😂 You can bet I’ll be stamping EVERYTHING for the next few days….but mostly my Kraft paper wraps and labels so I’ll have a very smart new look to my bouquets this year.
And just to say the sun has come out, we have 10 hours of daylight and temperatures have risen so seed sowing is Go! I’ve started sowing my favourite hardy annuals this week- so get going everyone, hooray. 🙌 🌱

Read on for my top tips. You really can have buckets of blooms to cut yourself, you can make fresh bouquets to give and fill your vases at home with flowers this summer. Imagine the colour, scent and cutting flowers in the sunshine. Make it happen this year! Here’s my beginner tips to help you grow as I do, so follow along and do ask me any flowery questions 🌸
Seeds
•☀️Daylight- before you sow any seeds wait until your region returns to 10 hours of daylight. Look up your region here
https://www.timeanddate.com.
I will start sowing my hardy annual seeds 16th February. This is why March is such a prime time to sow seeds.
•🌱Buy fresh seed to ensure good germination. Dont sow the whole packet at once. Sow a few seeds of the same pack every 3 weeks so you get a steady succession of flowers over summer. Keep them in a greenhouse or in a plastic box with lid outside. Take the lid off during the day.
•🌸Remember to buy and sow seeds for flowers and foliage - you need both for beautiful vases and bouquets.
•🫧use clean seed trays, fresh seed or multi purpose compost and read seed packets. Some seeds need light to germinate ( so don’t cover them with soil) others prefer the dark so cover with soil.
I’m sowing these hardy annuals from 16th Feb:
Larkspur
Calendula
Corncockle
Orlaya
Antirrinums (snap dragons - lots of these!)

And for foliage:
Salvia viridis
Mint
Ammi Majus and Visnaga

I’ve learnt so much as a newbie flower farmer. Literally going from total beginner. There’s so much knowledge now rattling in my head. So if you have a question pls ask me 😃 Happy sowing!

Read on for my top tips. You really can have buckets of blooms to cut yourself, you can make fresh bouquets to give and fill your vases at home with flowers this summer. Imagine the colour, scent and cutting flowers in the sunshine. Make it happen this year! Here’s my beginner tips to help you grow as I do, so follow along and do ask me any flowery questions 🌸
Seeds
•☀️Daylight- before you sow any seeds wait until your region returns to 10 hours of daylight. Look up your region here
https://www.timeanddate.com.
I will start sowing my hardy annual seeds 16th February. This is why March is such a prime time to sow seeds.
•🌱Buy fresh seed to ensure good germination. Dont sow the whole packet at once. Sow a few seeds of the same pack every 3 weeks so you get a steady succession of flowers over summer. Keep them in a greenhouse or in a plastic box with lid outside. Take the lid off during the day.
•🌸Remember to buy and sow seeds for flowers and foliage - you need both for beautiful vases and bouquets.
•🫧use clean seed trays, fresh seed or multi purpose compost and read seed packets. Some seeds need light to germinate ( so don’t cover them with soil) others prefer the dark so cover with soil.
I’m sowing these hardy annuals from 16th Feb:
Larkspur
Calendula
Corncockle
Orlaya
Antirrinums (snap dragons - lots of these!)

And for foliage:
Salvia viridis
Mint
Ammi Majus and Visnaga

I’ve learnt so much as a newbie flower farmer. Literally going from total beginner. There’s so much knowledge now rattling in my head. So if you have a question pls ask me 😃 Happy sowing!

Want to grow flowers this year? You can. This is my bare soil in January and then the same year a few months later. I grew all the flowers in these beds from seed. I start sowing the seeds again in February as we return to 10 hours of daylight. I’ll be sharing which ones I sow and grow so anyone can join in and create a stunning flower garden and cutting garden. But beware - as you could be like me - from sowing a few seeds to becoming a flower farmer and florist 😃 This is how it starts! 🌸

Want to grow flowers this year? You can. This is my bare soil in January and then the same year a few months later. I grew all the flowers in these beds from seed. I start sowing the seeds again in February as we return to 10 hours of daylight. I’ll be sharing which ones I sow and grow so anyone can join in and create a stunning flower garden and cutting garden. But beware - as you could be like me - from sowing a few seeds to becoming a flower farmer and florist 😃 This is how it starts! 🌸

Use lots of different spring bulbs and plants to make a spring floral table ring - use lots of spring bulbs and plants like mascari, cyclamen, tete a tete daffodils, primroses, snowdrops, ivy, pansies. Really beautiful and it lasts outside on a garden table or bring inside and mist with water.
For Easter, add little feathers and wrapped or blown eggs. Do posts your pics and show me yours- I’d love to see them. 🌸Lisa

Use lots of different spring bulbs and plants to make a spring floral table ring - use lots of spring bulbs and plants like mascari, cyclamen, tete a tete daffodils, primroses, snowdrops, ivy, pansies. Really beautiful and it lasts outside on a garden table or bring inside and mist with water.
For Easter, add little feathers and wrapped or blown eggs. Do posts your pics and show me yours- I’d love to see them. 🌸Lisa

I use lots of different potted bulbs to make these spring rings - tete a tete, ivy, violas, pansies, snowdrops, primroses, mascari. Have a look what is available in your local garden centre or gently dig some from your garden.
It’s such a gorgeous centrepiece for a spring table either outside on a garden table or inside on a kitchen table. And perfect for Easter table or display - just add little decorative eggs and feathers too.
I’m making this one as a gift. I love making these rings so do ask me any questions below. And if you do make one please post a pic - I’d love to see it 😃

I use lots of different potted bulbs to make these spring rings - tete a tete, ivy, violas, pansies, snowdrops, primroses, mascari. Have a look what is available in your local garden centre or gently dig some from your garden.
It’s such a gorgeous centrepiece for a spring table either outside on a garden table or inside on a kitchen table. And perfect for Easter table or display - just add little decorative eggs and feathers too.
I’m making this one as a gift. I love making these rings so do ask me any questions below. And if you do make one please post a pic - I’d love to see it 😃

I like to add catkins, twisted willow or pussy willow twigs for a finishing touch. These also make a pretty gift to give as they can be then planted in the garden when the flowers fade.
These spring balls or kokodama can be made using any bulbs- mascari, tete a tete, hyacinths would be pretty and the scent incredible. So gorgeous for Easter.
Arrange them on their own or in groups of 3 together on a table outside or inside. I’m making mine for table centres a special event happening locally on Monday. I’ll report on stories how they look in situ. Ask me any questions below 😃

I like to add catkins, twisted willow or pussy willow twigs for a finishing touch. These also make a pretty gift to give as they can be then planted in the garden when the flowers fade.
These spring balls or kokodama can be made using any bulbs- mascari, tete a tete, hyacinths would be pretty and the scent incredible. So gorgeous for Easter.
Arrange them on their own or in groups of 3 together on a table outside or inside. I’m making mine for table centres a special event happening locally on Monday. I’ll report on stories how they look in situ. Ask me any questions below 😃

This is my flower farmer florist top tip! Hellebores can flop if they are cut before the seed pods have formed but scoring the stems in this way helps them to fully hydrate. I’m sharing lots of tips for sowing, growing and conditioning flowers so if you’ve read all the way to here - thanks! 🤩 Lisa 🌸

This is my flower farmer florist top tip! Hellebores can flop if they are cut before the seed pods have formed but scoring the stems in this way helps them to fully hydrate. I’m sharing lots of tips for sowing, growing and conditioning flowers so if you’ve read all the way to here - thanks! 🤩 Lisa 🌸

Here’s my list of flowers to sow and grow for fabulous bouquets because when there are SO many flowers to grow where do you start?
It’s tempting to buy every seed! So here’s my top flower farmer tip - start with selecting a variety of different shapes: grow spires, discs, dancers, bells, globes. Below are the ones I grow each year because they are reliable and beautiful:

Spires: larkspur, delphinium, foxgloves, snapdragons.

Discs: scabious, orlaya, achillea/yarrow, Ammi Majus, cornflowers, anemones, feverfew

Dancers (add movement and magic) grasses ( e.g bunny tails) verbena bonarensis, briza media

Bells: bluebells, Canterbury bells, foxgloves, daffodils and narcissi

Globes: alliums, echinops, foxgloves , poppy ( for the seed heads, peony, craspedia

Stars: nigella, borage, echinace, malope, Lavatera, eryngium

Do let me know what you have grown and would add to the list :) Next reel I’ll give Part 2 which flowers to grow for scent that I grow.

Here’s my list of flowers to sow and grow for fabulous bouquets because when there are SO many flowers to grow where do you start?
It’s tempting to buy every seed! So here’s my top flower farmer tip - start with selecting a variety of different shapes: grow spires, discs, dancers, bells, globes. Below are the ones I grow each year because they are reliable and beautiful:

Spires: larkspur, delphinium, foxgloves, snapdragons.

Discs: scabious, orlaya, achillea/yarrow, Ammi Majus, cornflowers, anemones, feverfew

Dancers (add movement and magic) grasses ( e.g bunny tails) verbena bonarensis, briza media

Bells: bluebells, Canterbury bells, foxgloves, daffodils and narcissi

Globes: alliums, echinops, foxgloves , poppy ( for the seed heads, peony, craspedia

Stars: nigella, borage, echinace, malope, Lavatera, eryngium

Do let me know what you have grown and would add to the list :) Next reel I’ll give Part 2 which flowers to grow for scent that I grow.

Here’s my list of the flowers I have found are worth sowing the seeds for fabulous flowers to fill a vase. They are reliable, cut and come again flowers that are beautiful in bouquets but also for events and some as dried flowers. Some I’ve listed below are perennials, so once sown and grown, just plant out for a crop each year.
These are the top 5 I will definitely be growing more of this year ( and in the gaps left from the flowers I removed) - see previous reel).
•Achillea/Yarrow- Summer Pastels - amazing colours and so happy growing in a sunny spot. This is the flower I’m cutting in the reel. It’s perennial. Cuts and dries beautifully.
•Scabious Fama- the blue one. Stunning and another perennial. My most asked about flower from my customers and florists.
•Geum-Totally Tangerine- lovely height and a flower that dances in a bouquet and arrangement. Another useful perennial for cutting for bouquets.
•Panicum Frosted Explosion- all my customers love this pretty grass. It’s like a magic wand or sparkler. Easy to grow from seed and especially good with dahlia bunches in autumn bouquets.
•Malope- Vulcan - grows easily from seed and adds stunning cerise trumpet shaped flowers in a vase or hand tied. Flowers all summer and into autumn and then gives seed heads ( also easy to collect seed)
I could list even more! Next I share some of the seeds I’m starting sow for flowers this year. Tell me your top 5 this year- new seeds or ones you know are reliable bloomers?

If you want to start growing your own flowers at home to pick bunches this summer you can. That’s how I started….beware it can become addictive 😂

Here’s my list of the flowers I have found are worth sowing the seeds for fabulous flowers to fill a vase. They are reliable, cut and come again flowers that are beautiful in bouquets but also for events and some as dried flowers. Some I’ve listed below are perennials, so once sown and grown, just plant out for a crop each year.
These are the top 5 I will definitely be growing more of this year ( and in the gaps left from the flowers I removed) - see previous reel).
•Achillea/Yarrow- Summer Pastels - amazing colours and so happy growing in a sunny spot. This is the flower I’m cutting in the reel. It’s perennial. Cuts and dries beautifully.
•Scabious Fama- the blue one. Stunning and another perennial. My most asked about flower from my customers and florists.
•Geum-Totally Tangerine- lovely height and a flower that dances in a bouquet and arrangement. Another useful perennial for cutting for bouquets.
•Panicum Frosted Explosion- all my customers love this pretty grass. It’s like a magic wand or sparkler. Easy to grow from seed and especially good with dahlia bunches in autumn bouquets.
•Malope- Vulcan - grows easily from seed and adds stunning cerise trumpet shaped flowers in a vase or hand tied. Flowers all summer and into autumn and then gives seed heads ( also easy to collect seed)
I could list even more! Next I share some of the seeds I’m starting sow for flowers this year. Tell me your top 5 this year- new seeds or ones you know are reliable bloomers?

If you want to start growing your own flowers at home to pick bunches this summer you can. That’s how I started….beware it can become addictive 😂

Seeds that I grew last year that I’m not sowing again include:
• Bells of Ireland - they germinated really successfully ( ask me if you want to know how) and I was excited to grow them but once fully grown they proved difficult to add to my bouquets they were too dominant (and prickly)
• Stocks - beautiful and scented but take up lots of growing space, were tricky to grow straight and are “one hit wonders” so no stocks this year.
• Lupins - stunning white spires but there is no natural preditor in nature ( ask me how I know!) to the Lupin aphid so I couldn’t keep on top of them and so I’ve pulled them all out.
• gypsophilia - I grew the Covent Garden one. Such pretty delicate flowers but too delicate to harvest and got tangled easily.
• white - no one wanted white flowers not even my white dahlias. So even though the Paneton colour of the year is a white I’m not sowing them this year. So I’m being ruthless this year- the flowers have to earn their space, time and love I lavish on them!

In my next post I’ll share the seeds I’ll definitely be sowing on my flower farm again this year. This ones that are my real flower farm favourites. #flowerfarmer #seedsnow #cuttinggarden

Seeds that I grew last year that I’m not sowing again include:
• Bells of Ireland - they germinated really successfully ( ask me if you want to know how) and I was excited to grow them but once fully grown they proved difficult to add to my bouquets they were too dominant (and prickly)
• Stocks - beautiful and scented but take up lots of growing space, were tricky to grow straight and are “one hit wonders” so no stocks this year.
• Lupins - stunning white spires but there is no natural preditor in nature ( ask me how I know!) to the Lupin aphid so I couldn’t keep on top of them and so I’ve pulled them all out.
• gypsophilia - I grew the Covent Garden one. Such pretty delicate flowers but too delicate to harvest and got tangled easily.
• white - no one wanted white flowers not even my white dahlias. So even though the Paneton colour of the year is a white I’m not sowing them this year. So I’m being ruthless this year- the flowers have to earn their space, time and love I lavish on them!

In my next post I’ll share the seeds I’ll definitely be sowing on my flower farm again this year. This ones that are my real flower farm favourites. #flowerfarmer #seedsnow #cuttinggarden

The beauty of the garden in winter.

The beauty of the garden in winter.

It’s gently snowing outside here- not sticking, so I’m inside by the fire, good music, my gardening note book and I’m just scrolling through last year’s photo gallery of flowers. I have SO many!
It was such a great growing and floristry year. I grew and cut more stems than ever and had so many beautiful floral commissions. Thank you if you bought my flowers, commissioned me, came to a workshop and generally cheered and encouraged me along me in this flower farming adventure. Last year was so challenging because of the heat and dry conditions AND the monster sized lupin aphids! What weather will 2026 bring? Thanks for all the messages, likes and comments too - honestly, I read everyone. Hope you’re all having a quiet, gentle time easing into January. Is anyone else dreaming of flowers too? What do you plan to grow more of next year? I’d love to know and compare notes! Happy New gardening year everyone 🪏🌱👩‍🌾

It’s gently snowing outside here- not sticking, so I’m inside by the fire, good music, my gardening note book and I’m just scrolling through last year’s photo gallery of flowers. I have SO many!
It was such a great growing and floristry year. I grew and cut more stems than ever and had so many beautiful floral commissions. Thank you if you bought my flowers, commissioned me, came to a workshop and generally cheered and encouraged me along me in this flower farming adventure. Last year was so challenging because of the heat and dry conditions AND the monster sized lupin aphids! What weather will 2026 bring? Thanks for all the messages, likes and comments too - honestly, I read everyone. Hope you’re all having a quiet, gentle time easing into January. Is anyone else dreaming of flowers too? What do you plan to grow more of next year? I’d love to know and compare notes! Happy New gardening year everyone 🪏🌱👩‍🌾

After that last wreath, I’m grateful for time with my family and friends and our beautiful Shropshire countryside this Christmas time. The boys are back home from Bath (uni and work) and instead of mucking into a busy schedule of farm jobs we have all just been relaxing together- eating (lots!) meeting up with old friends to walk, shoot clay pigeons and gather at tables of fabulous food and great company. Oh and the chicken photo - isn’t he handsome - I love that pic!

I think I actually prefer this time after Christmas- when it’s quiet and the pace slows. At last time to read and begin to dream ahead for 2026- I’m already in planning mode- thinking which flowers I’ll add to grow, maybe more workshops - is there anything you’d like to do or learn about with flowers let me know - how about a regular “coffee & flowers” a time come informally and spend a quiet morning or afternoon to have a cuppa and walk the cut flower garden and then make a fresh bouquet to keep or gift? I’d love to know if this is an idea that appeals. Let me know in the comments below 🤗 Happy Twixtmas (Twixmas?) everyone.

After that last wreath, I’m grateful for time with my family and friends and our beautiful Shropshire countryside this Christmas time. The boys are back home from Bath (uni and work) and instead of mucking into a busy schedule of farm jobs we have all just been relaxing together- eating (lots!) meeting up with old friends to walk, shoot clay pigeons and gather at tables of fabulous food and great company. Oh and the chicken photo - isn’t he handsome - I love that pic!

I think I actually prefer this time after Christmas- when it’s quiet and the pace slows. At last time to read and begin to dream ahead for 2026- I’m already in planning mode- thinking which flowers I’ll add to grow, maybe more workshops - is there anything you’d like to do or learn about with flowers let me know - how about a regular “coffee & flowers” a time come informally and spend a quiet morning or afternoon to have a cuppa and walk the cut flower garden and then make a fresh bouquet to keep or gift? I’d love to know if this is an idea that appeals. Let me know in the comments below 🤗 Happy Twixtmas (Twixmas?) everyone.

My last handmade Christmas wreath for a beautiful door - it’s now ready to greet guests in Bridgnorth. Thank you for all the wreath orders which have kept me busy and creative. I’ve loved making them and raising money for @thealbrightontrust . Now while it’s daylight it’s back to digging in the last few tulip bulbs. I’m already dreaming of spring flowers and flower bunches. Follow along to get all my flower farming and floristry news because even through winter there are lots of jobs to be done! I’m still available for natural funeral flowers and my spring flowers will be up and in bunches from April ( but Id better get a wiggle on to dig them in!) You’ll find me on my website Gate House Florals if you want to order or inquire about farewell flowers. #Farewellflowers #bridgnorthflorist #shifnalfuneralflowers #sustainableflowers

My last handmade Christmas wreath for a beautiful door - it’s now ready to greet guests in Bridgnorth. Thank you for all the wreath orders which have kept me busy and creative. I’ve loved making them and raising money for @thealbrightontrust . Now while it’s daylight it’s back to digging in the last few tulip bulbs. I’m already dreaming of spring flowers and flower bunches. Follow along to get all my flower farming and floristry news because even through winter there are lots of jobs to be done! I’m still available for natural funeral flowers and my spring flowers will be up and in bunches from April ( but Id better get a wiggle on to dig them in!) You’ll find me on my website Gate House Florals if you want to order or inquire about farewell flowers. #Farewellflowers #bridgnorthflorist #shifnalfuneralflowers #sustainableflowers

Christmas wreath workshop weekend at Gate House Florals H.Q. continues. Here’s a little behind the scenes peek - sadly not any shots of the homemade mince pies and Christmas star biscuits as they disappeared like magic 😂 Finished wreaths have stems of my dried flowers as well as a stunning range of evergreen foliage all gathered from local Shropshire woodland (with permission) All of this year’s workshops sold out - so do subscribe to my newsletter via my website Gate House Florals, as you’ll get the dates of next years spring, summer and Christmas workshops first.

Christmas wreath workshop weekend at Gate House Florals H.Q. continues. Here’s a little behind the scenes peek - sadly not any shots of the homemade mince pies and Christmas star biscuits as they disappeared like magic 😂 Finished wreaths have stems of my dried flowers as well as a stunning range of evergreen foliage all gathered from local Shropshire woodland (with permission) All of this year’s workshops sold out - so do subscribe to my newsletter via my website Gate House Florals, as you’ll get the dates of next years spring, summer and Christmas workshops first.

Beautiful Christmas tree grown by Robin and Jacqui in my nearest village. Please support your local growers too as it means so much to little independent businesses. Speaking of which …thank you for all booking onto my luxury wreath making workshops. Delighted they all sold out within days. Due to a cancellation, a couple of places now available on Sunday 7th December. #christmaswreathmaking #workshops

Beautiful Christmas tree grown by Robin and Jacqui in my nearest village. Please support your local growers too as it means so much to little independent businesses. Speaking of which …thank you for all booking onto my luxury wreath making workshops. Delighted they all sold out within days. Due to a cancellation, a couple of places now available on Sunday 7th December. #christmaswreathmaking #workshops

Christmas wreath workshop dates on my website. Check out last spaces. Join me here at home in Shropshire. All details on my website. Homemade refreshments, Christmas starts with a beautiful homemade wreath.

Christmas wreath workshop dates on my website. Check out last spaces. Join me here at home in Shropshire. All details on my website. Homemade refreshments, Christmas starts with a beautiful homemade wreath.

Yes you can have flowers next spring. Sow along with me for flowers in a raised bed, the garden or container next year. Buy some sweet pea seeds and Rununculus corms - they are on sale online at the moment. They like the cold (unlike me) and will thrive growing healthy roots over winter. Just keep them in a protected area so the frost doesn’t touch and damage their leaves.

Yes you can have flowers next spring. Sow along with me for flowers in a raised bed, the garden or container next year. Buy some sweet pea seeds and Rununculus corms - they are on sale online at the moment. They like the cold (unlike me) and will thrive growing healthy roots over winter. Just keep them in a protected area so the frost doesn’t touch and damage their leaves.

Is this a normal size mushroom / fungi to find in an English woodland? Is it bad sign ir a good sign? Please let me know what I should do - leave, remove, cook?

Is this a normal size mushroom / fungi to find in an English woodland? Is it bad sign ir a good sign? Please let me know what I should do - leave, remove, cook?

I’m not perfect (I know - you’re surprised! 😂) but I try to be as sustainable as I can in my flower arranging. So even at Christmas wreath time, I try to keep it local, seasonal and British. So foliage, fir cones, moss, dried flowers are all sourced locally from my garden, woods and my generous gardener neighbours ( with their permission) . They used to me eyeing up their hedge cuttings and pruning.
I used to dry my own orange slices too- oranges leftover from school Christingle services (the children always ate the sweets). Other decorative bits and bobs for wreaths, like ribbon can be reused and bases can be reused for Easter wreaths. I always use garden twine rather than wire. Maybe I should start a campaign for a “green Christmas” this year rather than a white one…
I only have a few spaces left for the 6th and 7th December workshops so please do DM me to book your place. As last year, tickets include a donation to The Albrighton Trust.

I’m not perfect (I know - you’re surprised! 😂) but I try to be as sustainable as I can in my flower arranging. So even at Christmas wreath time, I try to keep it local, seasonal and British. So foliage, fir cones, moss, dried flowers are all sourced locally from my garden, woods and my generous gardener neighbours ( with their permission) . They used to me eyeing up their hedge cuttings and pruning.
I used to dry my own orange slices too- oranges leftover from school Christingle services (the children always ate the sweets). Other decorative bits and bobs for wreaths, like ribbon can be reused and bases can be reused for Easter wreaths. I always use garden twine rather than wire. Maybe I should start a campaign for a “green Christmas” this year rather than a white one…
I only have a few spaces left for the 6th and 7th December workshops so please do DM me to book your place. As last year, tickets include a donation to The Albrighton Trust.

Perfect for dried flower craft projects and especially everlasting dried flower wreaths. I’m cutting and drying ready for my workshops this month. Limited places left for Friday 17th October 10:00-12:30pm using my beautiful summer flowers and hand twisted base. I’ll teach you which flowers to grow and the best techniques for drying. You’ll go home with your handmade wreath. We will be all cosy inside. DM me to book your place for Friday ( sorry Saturday sold out)

Perfect for dried flower craft projects and especially everlasting dried flower wreaths. I’m cutting and drying ready for my workshops this month. Limited places left for Friday 17th October 10:00-12:30pm using my beautiful summer flowers and hand twisted base. I’ll teach you which flowers to grow and the best techniques for drying. You’ll go home with your handmade wreath. We will be all cosy inside. DM me to book your place for Friday ( sorry Saturday sold out)

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