British seasonal flowers
I’ve been lucky enough to co-host two workshops this past month with Leigh Chappell both in completely contrasting settings. One in the urban sprawl of North London with Wolves lane flower Company and the other in the heart of the Herefordshire countryside with Harriet Thistlethwayte, the name behind the Instagram account @yomargey What they both have in common is their love of growing British seasonal flowers and that is exactly what we always try and share in our workshops. The appreciation of seasonal, natural flowers and how to design and photograph them.
The urban flower farm
Camila and Marianne are the WLFC duo running a busy flower farm. Sowing, seeding and growing all year round from the 3.5 acre urban communal site at Wolves Lane. They generously share their knowledge and passion for seasonal and sustainable flowers through events and workshops and this is the second one Leigh and I have run with them.
Three stunning, highly scented bouquets showing the exuberance and colour of May flowers. Unruly sweet pea stems, frothy english gypsophelia, verbascum, lavatera, nepeta, nigella and foxgloves. Mini english gardens in a hand tie bouquet.
A hands on day of sowing, arranging and photographing the cutting garden and as you can see the flowers are simply gorgeous. WLFC have written a book available to pre order and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. All details can be found on their website.
An English garden
Last week Leigh and I co hosted a workshop near Ross on Wye at the stunning home of Harriet @yomargey. Her vinery should have an account of its own having been featured in many magazines. At this time of year Harriets garden is picture perfect with swathes of daisies wafting in the breeze whilst self seeded foxgloves sway majestically in the borders.
Harriet grows all her own herbs and vegetables and is an incredible cook so were treated to the most delicious vegetarian lunch followed by scrumptious carrot cake.
We collected some flowers from nearby Ravenshill Flower Farm and added in some of the garden daisies and orlaya. Michaels flower farm is a dream with stunning views and roses rambling over every building. He has a wonderful festival taking place in September so do have a look at what’s on via his website.
There are so many wonderful textures and colours around Harriets home so we were spoilt for choice for photography backdrops. Pretty, garden inspired bouquets and floaty ribbons always look great against a chippy pastel door.
Please do get in touch if you would like to join us in any future workshop. In the meantime enjoy all the flowers available to us at this time of year. Happy gardening.
Janne x
