A cutting patch for your garden by MK Florist Roz Chandler

1. When choosing which types of flowers to grow in your cutting patch – bear in mind that not all flowers are suitable for cutting or have a  long vase life. Sarah Raven has written some very good books on this subject and worth doing homework first.
2. Think ahead. Being a grower and a florist reminds me of being a fashion buyer (not that I have been one) ….both professions are always looking ahead at least 6 months and sometimes more. At this time of year we are planting bulbs in the tunnel and seeds in the greenhouse(perennials).
3. I would advise you take a course with one of the British growers. This is where my love started…..I never imagine I would fall in love and want to be a grower as well as a florist.
4. Plan your flowers from bulbs, to perennials, foliage and annuals. As a florist you can never have too much foliage.

And so to some of my favourites.

Roses

My favourite are a David Austin rose called Gertrude .(wasn’t he the cow out of the Magic roundabout? )The beautiful aroma of this flower is amazing.

Other favourite and popular for weddings is the Wollerton Old Hall for a soft yellow that fades to cream, Abraham Derby and Lark Ascending for a mix of soft pinks and apricots and Madame Alfred Carriere for large creamy white informal flowers.

Annuals

For beautiful fillers in a bouquet or arrangement my favourite are Ammi Majus and Ammi Visnaga. Easy to grow and delightful – I wouldn’t be without these.

Next I would add in a cosmos – in deep pink, light pink and white. These are the easiest flowers to grow, have a great long season and last well in a vase.

And perhaps an odd one –Zinnias. I didn’t love this initially but have since found a new love. They need dry arid conditions and are best grown in a tunnel. They have delightful long stems –perfect for bouquets or arrangements.

Perennials

With our unpredictable climate, perennials are a must. My favourite flower of all time is still the delphinium – long, elegant and in strong beautiful colours.

Foliage

Jasminium officinale gives gorgeous trails and pink tinged flower buds. I also like euphorbias for their mix of colours – adding a tinge of yellow to a beautiful arrangement. But my all time favourites are still rosemary and mint – beautifully scented.At Field Gate Flowers we endeavour to add herbs to all our arrangements.

Vintage Wedding – The Edwardian Era.

The world vintage is now used to cover so many past eras. With Downton Abbey back for another series, Field Gate Flowers have been inspired to research the wedding etiquette of the Edwardian era……(we certainly down tools when this is on).

The Turn Of The Century – La Belle Époque – The early 1900′s. 1900s Edwardian Wedding Style was influenced by the vast changes in lifestyle were created by fantastic inventions and discoveries. Imagine a decade that brought about the first commonly used electricity into homes, The Ford Model T, the first flight by the Wright Brothers. Sadly it also encompassed the First World War as well. These tumultuous times brought about new trends in lifestyle and fashion.

 The Edwardian era epitomises grand decadence, formal glamour and pure elegance. And with Lady Mary hosting the wedding of the year, is it any wonder that brides are looking at this style in their own weddings. Beautiful lace dresses are in vogue for 2014 and look amazing for that special day. So beautiful and elegant.
If you have decided on an Edwardian theme – start with lots of internet searches. A lot of the vintage wedding sites are US based but at least you can start a Pinterest board….great for inspiration and really homing the look you are trying to achieve.

I came across Sally Lacock’s site whilst searching….and great news she does offer sample dresses for sale. Take a look:- http://sallylacock.com/vintage-inspired-wedding-dresses/news/samples-for-sale/
Sally Lacock is a London based wedding dress designer creating vintage inspired, bridal gowns made of the finest French lace and luxurious silks for today’s modern bride. She draws inspiration from the decadent days of the 1920’s, the artistic sensibility of Edwardian bohemia, through to the elegance and femininity of the 1950’s. I’ve also found Edwardian gowns on Etsy and eBay, where it can be possible to get one for a good deal.  I have heard of the odd find in charity shops – I have never managed to find one but you may be lucky. 
    
And so to the flowers……Choose a florist that truly understands the look and era you are trying to recreate.
Edwardian bouquets were traditionally wired posies… a very small collection of flowers, a quaint, rather formal look. Very neat and very pretty. To echo this in your bouquet use traditional English Garden favourites, Roses, Spray Roses, Sweet Williams and Gypsophila… These small but perfectly formed blooms are just perfect to group together. A true and, quite probably, historically accurate combination of flowers.
Room deco usually involved lots of palm plants and was very elaborate.

Field Gate Flowers is a specialist wedding florist based in Milton Keynes. They are both growers of British Flowers and florists. If you would like help and advice on choosing wedding flowers for your perfect day please do not hesitate to contact us. We provide floristy for weddings in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Bedfordshire.

Funeral Flowers Don’t Have To Be Dull

People are often asking us at Field Gate Flowers on the etiquette of funeral flowers. My overriding answer is do what feels right for the family and the deceased. 

   
Some pointers on funeral flowers -
1. Check with the family hosting the funeral on whether flowers are acceptable. It maybe that they would prefer a donation to a charity of their choice. Sometimes only family funeral flowers are requested.2. Really think about the person who you are respecting and what they would like. If they were keen gardeners for instance they may prefer British Cottage flowers to Orchids and Lilies. Did they have a favourite colour or flower?3. Flowers are sent to funerals for several reasons. First, flowers are a means of expression. It is often difficult for those mourning a death to put feelings into words. Flowers are a visual expression of love, sympathy, and respect. They are means a lending support and sharing the burden of grief. Most of the families we work for say that the flowers helped in a small way.
4. Flowers create a background of warmth and beauty which adds to the dignity and consolation of the funeral service. Those who have attended services where there were no flowers have expressed the feelings that something was missing.
5. All kinds of flowers can be sent to the family of the deceased. Just because the flowers are being sent to convey sympathy, it does not mean that they have to be dull looking.


If you're looking for a different kind of funeral florist in Newport Pagnell, Olney, Milton Keynes, Northampton or Bedford, visit our website, call us on +44 (0) 1908 611189 or click here to ping over an email and we'll call you straight back.

Until next time ...ROZ CHANDLER