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What's available from flower farms in the UK in January
What’s available from UK flower farmers in January
Usually the coldest and bleakest month, in January we are glad of greenhouse growers to add to the array of outside grown foliage and flowering shrubs.
Rosemary in the snow
In January it’s the month that all flower farmers would just like to stay indoors and plan their beds for the coming year. But customers still want flowers to brighten their days, and when the Christmas decorations are removed there is often a desire to replace with something colourful, so here’s what you’ll find available from the wholesalers and greenhouse growers in January.
Narcissus from the Isles of Scilly and daffodils from Cornish growers, January varieties are usually Soleil d’or, Early Cheerfulness and Scilly white. Anemones are available dependant on the weather - warmer conditions mean longer stems. Tulips are produced hydroponically so are a bright burst of winter colours, and Alstormerias are available throughout the year.
For your Winter flowers, choose one of these British Flowers wholesalers.
Smith and Munson , Flower by Clowance, Evolve Flowers Wholesale, BJ Richards, Real Flower company trade
Viburnum tinus
If you want to use flowers in the winter, one of the best sources of both flower and foliage is the flowering shrub that is Viburnum tinus.
If you want to use flowers in the winter, that are hardy and can be grown outside, one of the best sources of both flower and foliage is the flowering shrub that is Viburnum tinus.
Viburnum can grow to be a big shrub if left unpruned. Pruning in the winter (or live heading it for the floral displays) will ensure that it has fresh growth and fresh flowers for the following year.
The buds of Viburnums often start off pink, and open to soft pink flowers, which turn to white. It's easy to condition, and will even last out of water for most of a day for those all important bridal bouquets and buttonholes.
Here it is in a Winter bouquet paired with glasshouse grown Tulips , ranunculus and Anemone. and hazel catkins..
And for those all important wedding touches with paper white narcissus and winter flowering cherry.
Photo Emma Davies
and here it is used in our January photoshoot for Book 2 used for a floral headdress.
The Wholesaler interview - James Cock of Flowers by Clowance
Cornish Wholesaler of British flowers all year round, James Cock of Flowers by Clowance tells us about how he got started, and his thoughts for the future.
James was one of my first points of contact in The British flowers industry as we met in Cullompton at one of the first Flowers from the Farm inspired meetings there. I bought flowers for my first Valentines flower offering in 2013, and so it seems apt that we show off the wholesalers that keep our British flowers industry going all year round when smaller flower farms don’t have enough to offer to the public from their own fields
Who are you, and what’s the background to Flowers by Clowance?
I’m James Cock, a third-generation grower based in Cornwall. JT Cock was founded in 1943, and it grew into a family nursery producing stocks, chrysanthemums, alstroemerias, tulips, & gladioli, in their 100s of thousands. Chrysanthemums were our year-round crop, with other flowers following their natural seasons.
In the early 1990s, I went to Pershore college to study Commercial horticulture,, which helped us adapt during a difficult time for the British flower industry. By 2005, I launched an online platform to sell flowers by post, which gave the business a much-needed wider reach.
When my parents retired in 2017, I decided to transition from growing to creating a hub for British flowers. In early 2018, I established Flowers by Clowance at our own site. Now, we work with growers across the UK, providing a vital connection between producers and customers, and ensuring British flowers are available year-round.
James in among the stocks
What is your season?
We sell all year round, we have access to the Isles of Scilly for Narcissus and Cornish growers for Foliage and early season bulbs, plus we have a link through Trans flore to the Lincolnshire growers
Who’s your ideal customer?
We’ve a large number of florist customers on our list, and we love working with those who want bulk flowers for weddings or their shop, but we also work with florists in Falmouth and surrounding areas and have a van that serves them regularly.
What changes have you seen in the last 6 years (since the British flowers book was published) in what florists are buying.
There has been lots more access to flowers for florists and the public. There’s been more public awareness about flower miles, and there are changes to packaging happening, - less plastic already, but more focus on that in coming seasons
Any predictions for what will be popular next year?
Yes Quirky things seem to be in like Bridal Gladioli , Scented flowers always in fashion.
January shoot behind the scenes
Our January photoshoot for book 2 was showing off floral head crowns made with winter beauty. Here’s some of our behind the scenes photos.
A big part of The British Flowers Book is the photoshoots using seasonal flowers in “real life” situations that we’d supply flowers for .
For our book 2 photo shoots, we wanted to make sure we used only sustainable floristry methods, and in readily available, in season flowers.
A Photoshoot is a great way of showing off floristry, without having to be under a time constraint of handing over a display to a customer, but that does mean that sometimes displays made specifically for photoshoots, might stretch the truth about what would be easily accessible, or are unrealistic in what would be included in a customer budget.. We wanted to use real life models (us, the British flowers book team) and the actual flowers that are available., and also assess how long they lasted when the camera went away. Our behind the scenes photos show you how we actually got the shots (in this case on a cold January day between squalls of rain)
January 2024 was fairly mild, but very wet, so we used a combination of fresh flowers and dried honesty to make our Headbands. All were created by paper taping stems onto taped wire. Our ingredients were. Hellebores, Snowdrops, Clematis, Viburnum tinus, Viburnum bodnantense, Hazel catkins, Rosemary, Pittosporum and Eucalyptus.
We tested the longevity of all the flowers by leaving them on damp paper overnight, and even the Hellebores surprised us by remaining fresh until the next day. The honesty holds the record, as that’s still going strong in the barn almost a year later.
We also learnt that if you hang a hair band in a tree, the wind will catch it , and you will get to see all the wire and tape gubbins!
What's available from flower farms in the UK in December
What’s available from UK Artisan flower farmers in December
December is a month of Christmas decorations in the form of wreaths, garlands and displays. With lots of foliage and dried flowers and seed heads for decoration, there’s no reason Christmas decorations can’t all be UK grown, and with Chrysanthemums and Lilies available from wholesale growers, and the first hydroponic tulips arriving before Christmas, December is no long the dull month with no flowers.
Christmas decorations and foliage
Locally grown wreath rings in the form of willow, cornus and other flexible climbers are now replacing floral foam or even wire rings.
And even if those flowers don’t take your fancy, seasonal foliages are available for bouquets and displays.
Christmas half wreath
For your Winter flowers, choose one of these British Flowers wholesalers.
Smith and Munson , Flower by Clowance, Evolve Flowers Wholesale, BJ Richards, Real Flower company trade
What's available from flower farms in the UK in November
What’s available from UK Artisan flower farmers in November
November is a month of change for growers. Those growing outdoors will stop sales apart from foliage, but will be busy planting and clearing. Those growing in glasshouses will need to deal with reduced light and heat. Dried flowers will need to be carefully stored to prevent mould and deterioration, and we’ll all be preparing for the Christmas rush. So what is available if you want to use just British Grown in November?
Heather James Chrysanthemum
In November Chrysanthemum are the main focal flowers. The stars of the show, and in a wonderful range of colours.
Also available from the glasshouses of the UK are Lilies and filler flowers like Sweet William, Campanula, Tanecetum, Alstromeria and Antirrhinum. The first of the Narcissus come from the Isles of Scilly, and Dried flowers are key for colour, and winter installations.
And even if those flowers don’t take your fancy, seasonal foliages are available for bouquets and displays.
November bouquet
For your Winter flowers, choose one of these British Flowers wholesalers.
Smith and Munson , Flower by Clowance, Evolve Flowers Wholesale, BJ Richards, Real Flower company trade
The Industry innovation interview - Hannah Martin of Com:post
The Industry Innovator interview - Hannah from com:post talking about turning floral green waste into compost for farms.
Com:post: Turning Florist Waste into Growth
As a grower, I take it for granted that when i’ve finished with my floristry stems, i’ll chuck them on the compost heap, and 2 years later or less, we’ll have wonderful nutritious compost to use on our plants, but what about Florist shops and studios?
We spoke with Hannah Martin from Com:post . A waste management company on a mission to turn florist green waste into something valuable. Here’s what she had to say about the company’s work and its impact.
Q: Can you describe your company and what you’re trying to achieve?
Hannah: Com:post is a waste management company with a unique focus—we turn florist green waste into compost within just 16 weeks. Our closed-loop system is designed specifically for florists. This means that the green waste generated from their work isn’t just discarded but repurposed to grow more flowers, completing a sustainable cycle. The amount of green waste the floristry industry produces is staggering, and many florists don’t know what actually happens to it. We wanted to change that, ensuring it’s put to good use.
Hannah Martin (right) with business partner Fiona Knowlton.
Q: Why is this important?
Hannah: Having worked in the floristry industry for over 25 years, I’ve seen firsthand just how much green waste is created. A huge percentage of a florist’s waste is organic, yet there’s no standard practice across the UK for dealing with it. In some areas, commercial green waste is collected, but it’s inconsistent. That’s where we come in. We focus solely on florists, offering a reliable and transparent service that puts their waste to better use.
Q: How will this help florists?
Hannah: First, it’s about cost savings. Commercial waste collection is often charged by weight, and since 85% of a florist’s bin is green waste, diverting that from landfill means lower collection costs. Plus, we provide reliable data on what’s been collected and processed, giving florists peace of mind. We ensure that our service is the same price, or even cheaper, than standard waste collection, so they’re not paying more for doing the right thing.
Q: How will it help the planet?
Hannah: By keeping green waste out of landfill, we’re reducing methane emissions, which is a significant contributor to climate change. Florists using our service know they’re making a positive impact on the environment. It’s part of a circular economy—waste becomes compost, which then helps grow more flowers. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Q: What do you think the key changes have been over the last six years?
Hannah: Sustainability has become a core part of business strategy. Consumers are demanding it, and businesses can no longer greenwash their practices. There’s been a shift towards practical, cost-effective solutions, and businesses now know they have to be transparent and accountable. The days of pretending to be green are over—people are asking questions and want real solutions.
Q: Where do you see this going in the future?
Hannah: Right now, we’re processing 8 tonnes of green waste from 20 florists in London, but we have big ambitions. We’re rolling out our service nationwide, starting with our partnership with Hoek Flowers in Bristol. Our goal is to have five hubs across the UK, including Scotland, and ultimately compost 1 million tonnes of florist green waste. It’s an exciting journey!
Hannah and Fiona can be found at https://www.com-post.uk or @compost.uk
The Grower interview - Philippa Stewart of Just Dahlias
Philippa Stewart grows Dahlias for selling fresh and dried.
Who are you, and where do you grow?
I’m Philippa Stewart of Just Dahlias a Cheshire-based flower farm , offering over 150 varieties of dahlias. Just Dahlias started in 2016, when a passion became an obsession.
Philippa Stewart
What is your season?
Our main season for fresh dahlias runs from August to October. During this time, customers can collect their fresh blooms directly from the farm. Outside of that, we offer dried dahlias, which can be delivered throughout the UK. It’s a wonderful way to keep enjoying these flowers all year round!
Who’s your ideal customer?
My ideal customer knows what they’re looking for, especially when it comes to the colour palette and stem length they want. Since I grow seedlings, I might not have huge quantities of a specific variety, but I can offer a great range of colours. We often chat over WhatsApp, where I send photos to make sure the colours are just right. A picture paints a million words, so it’s a great way to capture the exact shade my customers are after!
I love the collaboration—it’s such a buzz! Once I’ve gathered the blooms and sent them photos, we have this wonderful back-and-forth. “How about this one? What do you think of that?” It’s exciting to match their vision and create something truly special.
What changes have you seen in the last 6 years (since the British flowers book was published) in what florists are buying.
Absolutely loads. I’ve seen an increase in demand from all across the UK, and particularly Scottish customers, and there’s a growing focus on sustainability, which is fantastic. People are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of their flowers, and it’s wonderful to be part of that positive change.
Any predictions for what will be popular next year?
Yes! I’m growing seedlings with lighter colours and subtle hints of other tones. What I’ve found is that in the drying process, those hints become more pronounced, creating really interesting blooms. I think these will be a big hit next year.
Philippa can be found http://justdahlias.co.uk. or @justdahlias
Flowers are in every room, the rule is, you just need to be able to see the Tv.
What's available from flower farms in the UK in October
What’s available from UK Artisan flower farmers in October
October is the end of the season for most growers where the majority of their flowers are outside. If the weather is kind, there can be flowers until the end of the month, but 2024 has been anything but pleasant, so growers are highly likely to have experienced storms, near frosts, and gales. All of these mean that the number of stems available are likely to be smaller. Until the end of the season, October is the time for perennials to reflower, and for Dahlias and Chrysanthemums to be the key focal flowers.
October Dahlia arch by Lindsey Kitchin, Photo Emma Davies
In October foliages will start to become easier to buy as English Eucalyptus becomes available again, and Beech starts turning colour making it wonderful for Autumnal arches.
Grasses are abundant for movement and height in displays, and there are still bursts of annual colour from Calendula, Nasturtium and late batches of Sunflowers
There are still Perennials and bulbs waiting to join the show, with Hesperanthera, Acidanthera, Astrantia and Sedums still available.
If there is undercover growing space then flower farms are likely to be producing Chrysanthemums, Nerines, Late Sweet Williams and Antirrhinum plus Alstromerias, Celosia and Amaryllis.
The Grower interview - Jessica Roberts of Featherstone flowers
Jessica Roberts is the growing partner at Featherstone flowers in Hampshire.
Who are you, and where do you grow?
I’m Jessica Roberts of Featherstone Flowers, - which was started with my florist business partner Katie 3 years ago in Oct 21. We are based in West Hampshire and have 4 acres in total, with currently 2.7 in production We grow a big range - 50/50 perennials and annuals. We Sell via our website, and florists can order by the bunch, and glut buckets. In season 50% of our flowers are sold wholesale.
Katie (l) and Jessica (r) by their barn door
What is your season?
Our Season for Wholesale is May to mid September currently, there is an already planted acre of shrubs for foliage for the future, and we are putting in more shelter belt so that we can plant more.
Who’s your ideal customer?
Our ideal customers are Large event florists, within 50 miles of us. They have high volume and larger price events. They are likely to buy 500-1000 stems and know enough about flowers to order specifics by the stem/bunch from the website. They are repeat customers who come several times a month. We can get to know what they like so that we can be guided on what to offer them
What changes have you seen in the last 6 years (since the British flowers book was published) in what florists are buying.
More florists are using British including larger event florists. They are more open to using items that aren’t normally imported. Habits are changing slowly, high import prices may have helped changes. Colour schemes are changing with fashions and a wider range of colours. Plus florists are seeking out flowers.
Jessica and Katie can be found At Featherstone Flowers and @Featherstonewholesale
