Cutting Garden

Showing posts with label Cutting Garden. Show all posts

THE ART OF BEAUTIFUL CUT FLOWER GIFTING

11.6.19

I have been asked a lot recently about how I started my flower cutting garden and what tips I could give so I will be writing the post next week on 'How I Started My Flower Cutting Garden' this week as it is British flower week 10 - 16th June I wanted to give a little bit on why I created Wrap & Grow Flower Wrap Gift Sets.

My cutting garden last July was in full bloom and I wanted it to last as long as possible. As Sarah Raven says a cutting garden is where you "Cut flowers and they come again'. I released I needed to be cutting lots so the beautiful blooms didn't go to seed like Sweetpeas easily can if left without cutting.

I had filled my house with beautiful blooms but I didn't have an easy way to wrap and gift flowers to friends and family who would appreciate them. I looked for some pretty flower wrap and personal stickers but I was unable to find them easily.

I decided to design my own and create a set which was easy to keep and use as needed. As a mum, I am always conscious of leaving the world in good condition for our children. I knew the products had to be eco-friendly and made in Britain.

As I am not alone and I know many of us are taking up growing flowers for a hobby, to fill our home, for a wedding or just to add a little calm to our lives. I believe we will all like to try and wrap flowers for family and friends. Whether we grow them or buy local flowers, it's fun learning and bringing joy with flowers.

For ideas on how to use the flower Wrap & Grow gift sets take a peek at the Pinterest boards here and keep an eye on Instagram where pictures are posted daily. Below is an example of what is possible with one flower wrap gift set.

Flower Wrapping Inspiration using Coral Flower Wrap & Grow Gift Set

Now is a great time to order a Wrap & Grow Flower Set ready for your abundance of flowers blloming or try now with local flowers this British Flowers Week. As June is the month of British Flower Week there is currently 20% off with voucher code Britishflowers20 and free UK delivery. Offer ends June 30th 2019 and is subject to availability. www.KellyRideout.com

If you would like step by step instructions on How To Wrap A Flower Bouquet in Six Steps see this blog post or if you would like to Celebrate British flowers week take a look. To keep up to date with Inspired Living Now join the newsletter we would love to have you.

Homegrown flowers from the cutting garden last summer 2018.

Homegrown Cut Flowers - Dahlia's, Cosmos)

14.3.19

I had such a great year on the cutting garden last year I decided to gift some flowers, to family, friends and charity events. I loved putting together the simple flower arrangements straight from the garden but found it hard to find the right flower wrap and decorations.

I set to work and decided to design my own as they had been so well received. I hope others like you might like to use them and gift them too. I wanted the flower wrap, decorations and all things included to be eco-friendly and Made in Britain and that is excatly what they are so we can wrap with peace of mind. My other main goal was to help others enjoy flowers as I love them and I really wanted this world to bloom all over so I added seed packets.

This month the new 'WRAP & GROW' Gift Sets For Homemade Flower Bouquets With Seeds are launched. I wanted to take this opportunity to look back at what was made and include some of the new ideas I created in the studio this week for flower arrangements.

Below I created homemade flower bouquets, kraft and sticker posey's, flower decorated bunches and a single stem flower gift. What will you create with yours? (Share your designs on Instagram and Facebook #wrapandgrow)

Perhaps you would like to share your abundant flowers from your garden this spring or during the year. Maybe you would like to try something new but you don't grow flowers. Then you could buy locally grown flowers and create your very own arrangements too.

Steps to creating an arrangement can be found in this handy six-step guide or simply
1, Choose the flower arrangement type you would like to create
2, Select your flowers and foliage (from your garden or brought locally)
3, Collect the materials you will need to complete the arrangement

The inspiration for homemade flower bouquets and simple arrangements is below.

Homemade Flower Bouquets
These were wrapped with the new flower gift wrap I created for wrapping my blooms and decided to design more as it was so well received. Colour selections now include the Coral colour of the year, mint green, fresh blue, yellow, patterns and rainbow colours. View Wrap and Bloom gift sets or Flower wrapping paper and stickers here.

Spring Flowers Bouquet Using Fresh Blue and Stickers

Multicoloured Set Of Flower Wraps and Stickers

Homegrown And Coral Mixed Set of Flower Wraps And Stickers

Kraft Paper And Sticker Posey's
These can take fewer flowers and simple ideas can look stunning as sweet little thank you gifts or a treat for someone special.

Just For You - Kraft Paper, Satin Tissue Wrap and Sticker

Grown With Love Kraft Paper and Grown With Love Sticker

Fresh Spring Flower Creations With Kraft Paper And Stickers

Decorated Flower Bunches
Adding a keepsake wooden tag which I wrote on the reverse with permanent maker I found to be very effective. I still see these hung around friends houses now on cupboard door handles and dressers. The decoration is kept long after the flowers have faded.

Flowers Wooden Tag Decoration

Hand-tied Roses With A Keepsake Wooden Flower Decoration

Simply hung over a flower in the bunch with a personal message on the reverse.

Single Stem Flower Gift
Use a hero flower like a Sunflower, Gerbera, Hydrangea, Rose or Dahlia and simply hand-tie some ribbon and a keepsake to make a sweet friendship gift.

Gerbera With A Flower Decoration And Keepsake Tag.

I will be adding to the blog new seasonal inspiration as the flowering months begin and we can see new blooms coming in from the garden. Until then you can also find me on Instagram and see inspiration on the Pinterest boards. #wrapandgrow

16.7.18

The Lavender Fields at Selborne Hampshire, had an open day yesterday and it was great to visit with the family. A stunning backdrop of colourful fields against the blue sky and fluffy clouds. The blues and subtle shades of the lavender never fail but to impress. It was great to see so many people taking photographs in the fields and simply enjoying themselves. It was also interesting to learn more about the Lavender Fields, the third generation farm and the story behind the farm. What had been farmed before and why they now have wildflowers in the centre of the field. To give the land a rest and to recover before they replant lavender back. Interesting to learn more about local businesses and I loved the bright yellow in the middle of the Lavender so a great visual treat.

Lavender Fields Selbourne Hampshire Uk

Beautiful Blue Lavender

Arctic Snow English Lavender will be a new edition to our garden.

On the visit, it was good to see Rebecca Goff from Blooming Cow Flowers giving a talk and demonstrating hand-tied flower arranging. The flowers and the shop looked so gorgeous and wonderful to know these are now so local. As I tinker with my own cut flower garden out next to the studio it is wonderful to see flower cutting gardens blooming across Britain.

Rebecca Goff - Blooming Cow Flowers

Surrey Beekeepers gave us a great explanation of bees, hives and how queen bees are selected. The children loved asking questions as they had been learning about bees at school this year. He showed us how it looked inside the hive and took time to explain lots of questions we all had about bees. Thank you Surrey Beekeepers, you taught us all something new yesterday.

Surrey Beekeepers - Giving us great information on beekeeping

Lots of fun spotting the ceramic pig smelling lavender, the rat and the lamb on our way into the Lavender Fields. It was a great delight to see Jon Barrett-Danes Ceramics was also located onsite and he was at work painting the spotty pig's feet when we saw him. Lovely to see inside his studio and how the items are stored, hand painted and carefully kiln fired. Be sure to look out for the ceramics around the lavender field as you go in as they are great!

Jon Barrett-Danes Ceramic Pig - Smelling the Lavender

I love to see local and British businesses doing a great job, sometimes it really is the simple pleasures that make the most fun days out and great weekends. It has to be said this visit was followed by a Sunday roast at a local pub so a perfect Sunday with the family. Thank you Lavenderdar Fields, we shall be back and I would recommend if you haven't visited them for an open day before, it is well worth a visit.

8.7.18

These cutting garden flower and women inspiration books are in my studio and the ones I recommend for summer browsing. Perhaps in your garden next to the cutting patch or while on holiday. These scrumptious books are filled with beautiful images, ideas and tips. A wonderful way to while away a few hours and plan the next stage of your garden or building something new.

I have chosen this selection of books with the theme of gardens, women and building something wonderful. Every time I have returned to these books they have offered me something valuable so I hope you may find them of interest too.

Cutting flower garden flower books stack in the studio

Start with In And Out Of The Garden by Sara Midda, a delightful sketchbook of summer days spent raspberries picking, seeing bees, and water colouring images of vegetables. There are poems, verbs and recipes to delight and relish. The illustrations and tiny details in this book mean every time I pick it up I find something new to look at.

In And Out Of The Garden by Sara Midda

Second in my summer flower garden reading stack is Flora Forager but this list is not in a particular order of preference just as I have simply stacked them in the studio. Flora Forager - A Seasonal Journal Collected From Nature is a beautifully illustrated notebook. I use this daily to keep my thoughts together and the images on the page corners are delightful. I do not have the new Art of Flora Forager but it is on my next list of purchases, which I will share soon. I love to follow Bridget Beth Collins on Instagram and you can find her @flora.Forager where she shares her wonderful collection of foraged flower art.

Flora Forager ((Notebook) By Bridget Beth Collins

Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life, the plants that inspired the classic children's tales by Marta McDowell. In the book, you journey along through a year in Beatrix Potters garden where each season you can see what she was growing. Pansies, peas, foxgloves and pink roses along with many old-fashioned English flowers in her home in the Lake District Hill Top Farm. As a travel guide it also offers walks and once my two sons are a little older we shall be off on adventures to find these places. Packed with gardening inspiration, illustrated with Beatrix Potter's work and a travel guide to the Lake District a little gem of a book. Bought for me by my husband Joseph, luckily he knows me very well!

Beatrix Potter in Bolton Gardens holding her pet rabbit, Benjamin Bouncer, 1890. From the book Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life by Marta McDowell

As well as a great source of gardening equipment and tips on the Sarah Raven website, there is also this Cutting Garden Journal, which offers advice for a beautiful year of cut flowers. It helps you keep your plants and cutting garden in good shape from January to December. Each month there are tips and jobs to do that month along with the monthly page to write your own notes. Although I am more of a trial and error gardener myself I do like to scan and pick up little particles of knowledge along the way. Something this book is filled with from arranging flowers, different varieties and a flower of the month section.

Sarah Raven's Cutting Garden Journal

Coming Up Roses isn't a garden book but the name blends and it does go along the theme of women building great things. The Story of setting up Cath Kidston in her own words "When I set up Cath Kidston in a small shop in Holland Park in 1993 I had no idea what a journey the company would take me on." It is a great read for anyone like myself interested in business and how ideas spring into life. It never is so random as you think, or a great flash of lightning like in the movies, I think it is more to do with passion, hard work and perseverance. A lovely book and an easy read, accompanied by vintage and craft inspired pictures.

Cath Kidston Shop Image is taken from Coming Up Roses by Cath Kidston with Sue Chidler

The Cut Flower Patch - grow your own cut flowers all year round by Louise Curley. A handy guide to flowers and plants, aimed more at beginners just starting out with tool lists, what to consider before you start a cutting garden and which plants they would recommend. Pretty flower photography and good information source of lots of plants like Sweet Peas, Love-in-the-mist and many more.

Love-in-the-mist was taken from The Cut Flower Patch by Louise Curley

Small Space Big ideas are exactly that, it gives creative solutions to small areas with wall planters you can make, small farmyards to plant with children (we tried it and the children loved it!) How to make garden decorations, picture framed planters and lots more. This is for creative gardeners looking for a new project and who likes to try fun ideas out for themselves. The below image taken from the Small Spaces Big Ideas book is one I will be trying out one day and I will show you the results!

Small Space Big Ideas - Create your dream garden on a windowsill, wall, step, staircase, balcony, porch or patio.

The Flower Appreciation Society is a vibrant London Florist now and this is their book and story on everything A to Z of all things floral. A story of two women meeting and growing flowers behind the pub where they worked and first meet. Now they work with well-known brands and hold regular workshops which I intend to visit very soon! I will share pictures and update you on the course after. To look for yourself you can see the Flower Appreciation Society course list. The book has drawn illustrations, fresh styling and just a cool vibe to it.

Illustration from The Flower Appreciation Society by Anna Day and Ellie Jauncey

When the Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden arrived through my door I was super excited, after following Floret Flower Farm on Instagram @floretflower (take a peek on their Instagram feed you won't be disappointed) this book was a must. Packed with the amazing pretty floral photography and the spirit of growing your own. This book has descriptions of amazing flower plants and is sectioned into growing seasons, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter with jobs to do in each. Step guides help you decide on what to plant and how, then when the flowers come, there are guides to making your own flower crowns, flower arranging and cutting guides. This is one book which will be sitting in the studio next to my cutting garden, ready to inspire me for a long time.

Scabiosa Flowered Mix from the Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden

Each of these books has given me insight and joy. I hope you find a quiet moment to savour one or two of these books too. With their mix of gardening, flowers, creative ideas and strong inspiring women, it has and is a pleasure to browse through these, time and time again. Happy summer reading and if you have any thoughts on other books I should look at do let me know.

*This article was written because I believe in these books but links from this post go to affiliates where I receive a small commission on any sales which helps to support this blog.

1.7.18

July in the flower cutting garden outside the studio is blooming wonderfully, with Cosmos 'Blush' Cupcake, Cosmos Daydream, Cosmos bipinnatus 'Click' Cranberries, Sweetpeas, Zinnia 'Gaint' Dahlia, Huge Dahlia's Sunflowers and so much more bursting into flower.

I am so glad now I took the journey last year with my husband Josphe to begin building this flower garden area. The flowers give a constant source of inspiration for my designs and fill our home with fresh flowers in jars everywhere.

The 'Bloom and Grow' designs were handcrafted in the Hayling Island studio and flowers from the garden were used. These designs are styled and captured on the same day to ensure the flowers are at their most vibrant.

As I was planting the cutting garden earlier in the year, the little pots and pretty flowers inspired this collection. I hope the plant designs will make you smile. Coming soon are the new matching greeting cards, to view the newly added flower wall art prints Molly Margaret Shop.

Fresh cut flowers sign - now hangs above the flowers.

Watering in the evening on the cutting garden

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Click' Cranberries

Beautiful purple poppies have appeared and grown within the flowers

Zinnia 'Gaint' Dahlia - Amazing Red!

Sophia Laurhen Painted Metal Chicken - hiding under the Sunflowers

Bright Pink Large Dahlias coming out in full bloom

To keep up to date with the cutting garden, new products, flower farm updates and competitions be sure to sign up for the newsletter here.

12.2.18

My list of cutting garden growers and flower farmers on Instagram I handpicked to follow for inspiration. I thought I would share these with you and a few notes on what I found of particular interest. From growing tips on blogs, a downloadable British flower chart and interesting information from professional growing flower farmers.

Although I am a home cutting garden grower, with limited space I find the big flower farms now sell seeds and plants. They also grow varieties of flowers not on sale elsewhere but just directly from their shops. With workshops, talks and garden tours, there is a wealth of exciting activity going on with flowers.

With a cup of tea in hand, browsing beautiful flowers and plant pictures it seems the perfect aid to planning and getting ready for growing on the cutting garden this year. I use my cut flowers for the house but mostly for my design work which includes lots of flowers. I love textures, colours and being outside so this is a great project for me in the great outdoors. Whatever scale you are planning to grow these Instagram cutting gardens and flowers farmers will be a huge inspiration.

If I have missed one of your favourite cutting gardens or flower farmers in this list please do let me know and they can be added.

Floret Flower seeds sent worldwide to the UK.

Floret Flower - Erin Benzakein | USA
Instagram @floretflower
An inspiring flower farmer based in WA State, USA. The dream pictures of beautiful blooms could really be a book of their own. A great backstory of how the farm has grown and how they bought their latest farm. You can also buy seeds directly from Floret but you have to be quick or the shop sells out fast. Unfortunately, the beautiful Dahlia's are not available in the United Kingdom at the moment. More on their website www.floretflowers.com

The Real Flower Company - Florist, UK
Instagram @therealflowerco
Flower farmer and wholesaler based in Petersfield, they specialise in amazing scented natural roses, flowers, herbs and foliage. Luxury flowers in top quality conditions. More on their website www.realflowers.co.uk

Cultivated by Christin - Christin Geall, Canada
Instagram @cultivatedbychristin
Floral designer, grower and writer and gardenista contributor. Lovely photography of flowers and a wealth of information on the website, pay special attention to the Journal and Cultivated a garden column by Christin Geall. More on their website www.cultivatedbychristin.com

Flower Society - Anna and Ellie, UK
Instagram @flowersociety
Voted by Vogue as best florist in London, these flowers are homegrown in Hackney. Lots of interesting workshops to choose from and a garden blog to read on their website www.theflowerappreciationsociety.co.uk

The British Flower Collective - Chloe Plester, UK
Instagram @thebritishflowercollective
Promoting seasonality, local and British flowers, this is more of an information directory for all things flower related, so I thought it deserved a mention. See more on www.thebritishflowercollective.com

Common Farm Flowers - UK
Instagram @commonfarmflowers
Growing cut flowers and wildflowers on the farm in Somerset. Handy tips on the blog such as 'Tips For Ordering Seeds' and 'Tips For Growing Flowers'. There is also a collection of flowers available for order and workshops to attend on flower arranging and growing your own cutting garden. More on their website www.commonfarmflowers.com

Molly Margaret Photograph - Molly Margaret.co.uk

New Covent Garden Market - Market, UK
Instagram @marketflowers
London's wholesale flower market and #BritishFlowerWeek promoter which is great to see. There is a free downloadable A4 British Flower Chart which is handy information on one sheet. Follow to support British Flower Week and get information about events and activities. Lots more information on the website www.britishflowersweek.com

Farm Girl SK - Dawn Cosgrove, Canada
Instagram @farmgirlsk
Beautiful Instagram feed of life on a flower farm in Canada, from Dawn who is heartfelt and thanks her flowers for their beautiful blooms. Lovely to browse and see her wonderful blooms.

Tangled Roots PDX - Tangled Roots, USA
Instagram @tangledrootspdx
Urban flower farm and design studio based in Portland Oregon. Beautiful flower garden and flower arrangements photography. Special features of dahlias and roses. More on their website www.tangledrootspdx.com

Flourishflowerfarm - Niki Irving, USA
Instagram @flourishflowerfarm
Mountain fresh flowers are grown in North Carolina, farm tours and abundance of workshops. A very handy blog with lots of planting tips and information which is focused at flower farmer but could be used for home on a much smaller scale. A place I would definitely like to visit on a tour of America. More on their website www.flourishflowerfarm.com

Flower Farmer - Sunny Meadows Flower Farm, USA
Instagram @flowerfarmer
Columbus Flower Company grows cut flowers on over ten acres in the USA. A working farm supplying to retail and wholesale. The resources page is very helpful with lots of information and links so worth a look. More on their website www.sunnymeadowsflowerfarm.com

FAM Flower Farm - Marlies and Linda, Holland
Instagram @famflowerfarm
Bright beautiful flowers are grown in Holland, this is a lovely Instagram feed with lots of happiness shown in each picture. Specialising in lots of pretty PomPom style Dahlia's, with perfect little drumstick structures. More on the website www.famflowerfarm.com

Swan Cottage Flowers, UK
Instagram - @swancottageflowers
English country garden and flower farm. Offering seasonal flowers for specialist DIY weddings and lovely workshop on growing your own cutting flower garden or wedding flowers. A few courses I could be very tempted to join on this list and you can see more on the website www.cottagegardening.co.uk

Green and Gorgeous, UK
Instagram - @gandgorgeousflowers
Flower farm and floral design studio, set in Wallingford with over two acres of flower fields, orchards, herb and vegetable beds. There are very popular workshops but you have to be quick or they get booked up. See more on www.greenandgorgeousflowers.co.uk

The Vintage Flower Farm - Allison, Australia
Instagram @thevintageflowerfarm
Farmer florist growing and arranging wildflowers and cottage garden favourites. See @kanimblaviewcottage to stay at the Flower Farm. There isn't a website that I found but you can see more on facebook.com/thevintageflowerfarm

Electric Daisy Flower Farm - Fiona Haser Bizony, UK
Instagram @electricdaisyflowerfarm
Artist and organic flower farmer, Royal Horticultural Society Artist in residence. Telegraph top twenty most creative florist in the world. A lovely blog with a nice post I read 'A day in the life of a flower farmer -July'. More on their website https://www.electricdaisyflowerfarm.co.uk

White Cottage Flower Farm - Mandy Reid, Australia
Instagram @whitecottage_flowerfarm

A designer of cottage gardens, flower farmer and seller of vintage farm wares. Pretty vintage inspired photographs of lovely farm lifestyle.

Forever Green Flower Company - Agriculture, UK
Instagram @forevergreenflowerco
Artisan flower farm in Norfork, England. British grown flowers and if you want to be a flower farmer lots of information on this website for you. Including becoming a flower farmer member. The blog has growing tips for flower farmers and cutting garden growers so worth a read. More on the website www.flowersfromthefarm.co.uk

Poppin's Blossoms Flower Farm - Laura, USA
Instagram @poppinblossoms
A fresh flower farm in Orem, UT. Selling wholesale flowers to designers and florists.

Sussex Flower Farm - Shelly Marks-Thomson, UK
Instagram - @sussexflowerfarm.co.uk
Locally grown fresh flowers from a small West Sussex holding. More on their website www.sussexflowerfarm.co.uk

I hope you find some inspiration for your own cut flower garden or flower farm on this list. If I have missed someone you would like featured then do just let me know.

Happy growing and enjoying the great outdoors.

Gardening Joy by MollyMargaret.co.uk

Flower Ideas Blog

SLIDER

THE ART OF BEAUTIFUL CUT FLOWER GIFTING

11.6.19

Inspiration To Make Homemade Flower Bouquets and Arrangements

14.3.19

Inspiration at The Lavender Fields and Cutting Garden Selborne Hampshire

16.7.18

Cutting Garden Flower Books Summer Reading

8.7.18

Flower Cutting Garden Design Inspiration

1.7.18

21 Best Cutting Gardens and Flower Farmers on Instagram You Should Be Following

12.2.18