It’s British Flowers Week ! We've got involved by interviewing one of our customers, Anna, a farm owner and British flower grower. Anna tells us about her farm and what she loves about British flowers.

Using British flowers is becoming increasingly more popular. As times are changing we are seeing Britain wanting to become more self sufficient. Being green and ethical is on trend. This is seen across all aspects of life but mainly within the food industry. Growing, selling and buying British flowers are more beneficial than just being green. They generally have a stronger scent than imported ones, some varieties stay fresher for longer as don’t have jet lag, they’re great value for money and they help support the industry locally.

©Ohwhatlovelyflowers - British Growers

Established in 2013 by the Flower Market at New Covent Garden Market, British flowers week is loved by many. They want to show how amazing British flowers are which won't be hard! Flowers are becoming so much more popular partly because florists are becoming more adventurous. The industry’s excitement metre is rising fast and the public are becoming more aware of this.

Flowers by Anna Brian

For Anna flowers are life, so it’s no surprise that she runs her family farm where she grows gorgeous and beautifully scented British flowers. A flower grower since a very young age she has grown to excel in it as well becoming a trained florist, so she has the knowledge to take her home grown beauty’s from farm to design.

As well as growing and being a florist, Anna also runs workshops at the farm. Picking and cutting from the garden you can design your own table arrangement, or maybe a festive wreath is more for you.

The Interview

WHEN WAS THE FARM FIRST ESTABLISHED?

4 years ago

HAVE YOU ALWAYS GROWN FLOWERS?

Yes, grown flowers from a very young age. My Gran got me started with growing dried flowers many years ago. She used to say ‘all the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today. A true saying from a wise lady, bless her.

HOW HAS YOUR FLOWER GROWING DEVELOPED FROM THERE?

I have started to grow a lot more different species over the last 4 years. My Polly tunnel has given me more opportunities.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU PRODUCE ON THE FARM?

We rear goats for meat! (funny really, a flower and goat farm, ummmmm....Probably not the best combination, the goats love the flowers too !!! We have to have high fences!!

WHAT FLOWER VARIETIES DO YOU GROW?

Daliahs, Sunflowers, Helicrysums, Statice Phlox, Gyp, Zinnias, Chrysantumums, Cosmos, Fennel, Dill, Rudibecia, Sweetpeas, Sweet Williams, Narccis, Tulips, Agertatum, Nigella, Pinks, Clarkia, Green Tic, Antherinums, Ameranthus just to name a few.

HOW DO YOU MARKET YOUR FLOWERS?

Many ways, stall at farm gate with an honesty box which works well even in this day and age! Also farmers markets, local church groups, weddings and funerals, and workshops.

WHO ARE YOUR MAIN CUSTOMERS?

Regulars at my farm gate stall, people love the honesty box.

HOW HAS THE NEW TREND TOWARDS BRITISH GROWN FLOWERS AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS?

It has increased my flower farms growing area over the past 2 years and I have recently invested in a Polly tunnel.

WHY DO YOUR CUSTOMERS PREFER BRITISH GROWN FLOWERS?

The scent of the fabulous quirky unique blooms. They are different to the supermarket bunches.

WHAT’S YOUR BEST SELLING VARIETY?

Sweetpeas and Sunflowers.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE? Daliahs. and the goats always head straight to

the roses if given half a chance! Brighter the colour the better!!

WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN GROWING FLOWERS? My Gran who got me started all those years ago.

AS BOTH A FLORIST AND A GROWER, WHAT SORT OF PIECES HAVE YOU CREATED

USING YOUR FLOWERS? I enjoy designing rustic country designs, comes naturally to me as I’m using nature as my inspiration.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FLOWERY PROJECT YOU HAVE WORKED ON? I love designing wedding flowers and personalising them to the couple, it’s a real honour to be involved in someone's wedding..

WHAT’S YOUR TIPS FOR GROWING BRITISH FLOWERS?

Nothing is easy about flowers farming, many pests working against me and the weeds are a real time consuming job, but it’s a true delight looking at flowers in a venue that I know I have grown those beautiful flowers from seed.

Get in contact with Anna: Website / Instagram / Facebook

We thank Anna for agreeing to talk to us and are happy that British flowers are increasingly becoming more popular and accessible. Let’s all help encourage this amazing cause. #Britishflowersweek

Happy growing, picking, selling, buying and designing!