A simple guide to saving seeds

Seed saving is an age-old practice that has seen a resurgence in recent years as more gardeners seek to save money, cultivate sustainability, self-sufficiency, and biodiversity in their gardens. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, saving seeds from your own plants can be a rewarding and empowering experience. In this blog, we’ll explore the basics of seed saving, why it matters, and how you can get started.

Why Save Seeds?
Sustainability: Seed saving reduces the need for purchasing new seeds every year, cutting down on packaging waste and transportation emissions. By using seeds from your own garden, you’re contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Adaptation to Local Conditions: Seeds saved from plants that have successfully grown in your specific environment are naturally adapted to your local climate, soil, and pests. Over time, these seeds will produce plants that are better suited to thrive in your garden.
Cost-Effective Gardening: By saving seeds, you can significantly reduce your gardening expenses. This allows you to allocate your resources to other aspects of gardening, such as soil improvement or expanding your growing area. Biodiversity: Saving seeds from a variety of plants encourages biodiversity, which is crucial for resilient ecosystems. A diverse garden is more resistant to diseases, pests, and environmental changes.
Share the Love: Seed saving isn’t just about ensuring your garden’s future; it’s also a wonderful way to connect with other gardeners. Consider swapping seeds with friends or participating in local seed exchanges. Sharing seeds is a great way to discover new flower varieties and build a community.

How to guide
Choose the Right Flowers: Not all flowers produce seeds worth saving. Focus on heirloom or open-pollinated varieties, as they will grow true to type. Hybrid plants may not replicate the same characteristics in the next generation, leading to disappointing results. Marigolds, zinnias, and sunflowers are excellent choices for beginners.
Timing is Everything : Patience is key when it comes to seed saving. Wait until the flowers have fully matured and started to dry on the plant. The seeds should be firm and dark in color, which indicates they are ready to be harvested.
Harvest Carefully: Use clean, dry hands or a small pair of scissors to snip the seed heads from the plant. Be gentle to avoid losing seeds during harvest. It’s best to do this on a dry day to prevent moisture from spoiling the seeds.
Dry and Store Properly: Once harvested, lay the seeds out on a paper towel or a mesh screen in a cool, dry place. Allow them to dry completely for about a week. After drying, store the seeds in labeled envelopes or small glass jars. Keep them in a cool, dark place until you’re ready to plant next season.
Label Your Seeds: Don’t forget to label each packet with the flower type and the date harvested. It’s easy to forget, especially if you’re saving multiple varieties. Clear labeling ensures you know exactly what you’re planting when the time comes.

Saving flower seeds is a rewarding practice that can help you sustain your garden’s beauty year after year. With a little effort, you can enjoy the satisfaction of growing flowers from seeds you’ve harvested yourself. Plus, you’ll be contributing to biodiversity and passing on the joy of gardening to others. So, start saving those seeds and watch your garden flourish, season after season!

What can you expect from a Corporate workshop?

Whether it’s for Bristol University’s Business school staff, a TV production company or Avon wildlife trust I’ve been running corporate workshops for over 6 years. Any of the workshops I run will boost creativity, enhance teamwork and reduce stress. Our floral art workshops really can make a significant positive impact on your workplace and be a valuable and enriching experience for your employees.

Whether you want to bring everyone together for a seasonal activity like Christmas wreath making or have specific goals we can work together. And don’t think the choice is only arranging flowers, our Keeping it green workshop uses material of every shade of green focusing on texture and form rather than flower. Our range of workshops give you a choice of costs and durations, plus with the flexibility of additions for food and drink and venue choice you are in control of the budget. Take a look at what we offer on our corporate page.

As Floral art requires a blend of artistic vision and creative problem-solving your team will learn the need for meticulous attention to detail and patience to achieve their desired results. Plus the immersive nature of flower arranging, where you learn by doing, will encourage mindfulness, helping participants to stay present and focused producing a sense of calm and well being. And with the tangible result of a floral arrangement participants will gain a huge sense of accomplishment giving them a confidence and morale boost. So Not only will they gain transferable skills but take home practical skills too.

And if sustainability is important for your green credentials by choosing a workshop with us you’ll be using material that has been grown or sourced locally. Do contact us with your requirements so we can create the workshop that is right for you.

Hampton Court Flower Show

In 1998, when I was working for Hillier Landscapes as an assistant garden designer, I was awarded the Tudor Rose medal at Hampton Court Flower show. The medal wasn’t for a show garden but a new category created by the RHS that year and unusually open to both garden designers and florists.

It was when the TV programme Ground Force with Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock was popular and the RHS wanted to educate and engage with the public about the art and craft of both industries. This blog post tells my story.

That year my boss Sarah Eberle had been sponsored by Fisher Price toy manufacturer to build a show garden and as her assistant I was closely involved in helping her with the project. When you see the flower shows either on TV or in person they are impressive but you cannot begin to imagine how many hours have gone into their creation. Although the design ideas often look simple there is layer upon layer of detailing involved all of which has been researched, sourced or commissioned and finally installed to make the finished product show quality. Alongside helping Sarah with her show garden, I was given the job of making a display for the new category the RHS had created that year. I was pleased to have a whole project of my own to do and was particularly honoured to be given that responsibility because I was new to the company. The combination of both the newness of the category and myself in the company meant the budget set and time allocated was cautious and limited. However, for me this helped clarify the many possibilities racing around my head and I concluded that my best approach was to keep things simple.

Photography was a passion for me. Initially from studying 20th century photographers at part of my History of Art degree but afterwards becoming a practitioner myself. Of all photographic styles I particularly liked Black and white, not just because it’s so stylish but because you see the image differently. Somehow by simply removing colour, the elements of light, texture and composition seemed heightened and the essence of the image shines brighter. I decided that removing the distraction of colour could be my way into explaining garden design. I felt black and white photographs would reveal a garden’s structure, the very bones from which everything else is hung, and take away the subjective judgement of a good garden based on whether you liked the colour scheme. I persuaded Sarah to have 4 of her gardens professionally photographed and when the photos came back excitedly displayed them next to their garden layout drawing to see how my approach worked. Disappointingly the overall impression was rather flat and boring; I needed a little magic to bring it to life.

That magic arrived in the form of the wonderful Hugo Skucek who ran his floristry business in the potting shed of Ampfield house, where Hillier garden centre and landscapes were based. Almost every lunch hour I found myself in his workshop looking at his latest creations and marvelling at the huge budgets he was working to, everything he made was awe inspiring. When I asked him how I could lift my black and white display he suggested a pair of lollipop topiary shapes filled with nothing but garden foliage. It was the perfect solution. By using only green, the base colour of every garden, they became an invitation to add your own colour preferences not just to the floral display but the 4 garden designs on display. Explaining that colour was only a layer that was added once the design had been perfected. The same layout design worked as well with a white and blue colour scheme as a yellow and orange one. Hugo’s arrangements of garden foliage were key in making sense of the monochrome photos and drawings. And with access to the mature gardens of Ampfield house and the wholesale department of Hilliers garden centre we could have a wonderful selection of traditional and unusual material as well as being cost effective too. Hugo did insist on using one flower however, a rose, the classic garden flower. But not just any rose, a green rose of course. Rosa viridiflora is a strange creature with a small scruffy flower that looks quite different at various points during its flowering period. When in bud and first opening it is a fresh green but over time becomes tinged with red becoming almost completely burgundy. I was excited to see how everything would come together.

I spent the construction week helping on the show garden planning to take a few hours the night before judging day to set up my exhibit. When I arrived at my marquee all the other exhibits had already been set up. I saw the most elaborate 3 d models that would have taken weeks to make, exquisite floral extravaganzas hanging from the ceiling and beautiful hand drawn artist impressions.

Each one was really impressive and I felt my exhib was poor in comparison. I quickly put up my photographs and garden layout drawings with Hugo’s topiary arrangements in terracotta pots either side of the stand and went back to help Sarah finish the show garden. The following day all eyes were on the big show gardens. They were some amazing gardens that year, but Sarah always pushed the boundaries, often using unfamiliar materials. This year she used epoxy resin mixed with blue crushed glass for the paths. It was the talking point of the whole show. Eventually the results were in. Everyone was delighted Sarah had won best in show. Amidst the flying champagne corks and flowing tears I was tapped on the shoulder and told to go back to the marquee to hear my results.

I know it is a clique to say how good the competition was but it was true, I couldn’t see why I had got an award. When the judge presented me with the cup he praised my courage saying that I had taken a big risk and that it had paid off. He went on to explained that the Tudor Rose was not awarded every year. The level of the award is determined by the points scored, there are not a set number of silver medals for example given out each year. The score for a tudor rose is higher than gold.

Winning an ward like this at this point of my career was fantastic. It gave me the confidence in my new career choice, encouraged me to trust my instincts and of course to carry on and take risks; a lesson I remember to this day.

Funeral Flowers

Our Guide to Funeral Flowers

Losing a loved one is undoubtedly one of life’s most challenging experiences. During such times, expressing condolences through flowers can provide solace and comfort. As a Bristol florist we take pride in crafting funeral flowers that pay tribute to the unique lives we celebrate and mourn. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the art of creating heartfelt farewell tributes.

Choosing the Right Flowers

At Best of the Bunch, we recognise the significance of selecting flowers that have personal importance. While traditionally lilies symbolise the restored innocence of the soul, roses embody love and remembrance, we like to find out which flowers and colours meant the most to your loved one. And although as flower growers we like to use seasonal blooms we can always source specific flowers for you. Our Bristol funeral flowers reflect the flowers which have meaning for you as well as the season they are growing in, giving you a personal and unique tribute to your loved one.

Customising Arrangements

We craft an arrangement based on your specific requests. For example, a son and mother wanted their Father’s watering can used for the floral display. We met them, and received the watering can and heard they wanted a seasonal arrangement to reflect his passion for gardening.

The arrangement took some intricate planning, as the internal mechanics of keeping the flowers in water needed working out. I then cut and conditioned my locally-grown flowers and constructed the arrangement; the finished funeral tribute can be seen at the top of this post.

Soothing Colour Palettes

Colours can evoke powerful emotions, and our funeral flowers are designed to bring comfort and tranquillity during difficult times. From calming whites and creams to soothing blues and purples, or joyful vibrant colours all our floral arrangements reflect the colour palettes that resonate with your emotions of remembrance.

Expressing Sympathy through Messages

Accompanying each arrangement is the opportunity to convey a personal message. Our Bristol florists understand the importance of expressing sympathy with grace and sincerity. Whether you choose a traditional message or opt for a personalised note, we are here to assist you in finding the right words during this delicate time.

Sustainability

At Best of the Bunch, we are committed to environmentally friendly practices. Our funeral flowers are created without using plastics or non biodegradable floral foam. Our flowers are either grown by us or sourced locally from other flower farmers, ensuring that even in times of grief, we contribute positively to our community and the planet.

Delivery with Compassion

We understand that the delivery of funeral flowers requires sensitivity and punctuality. Our dedicated team ensures that each arrangement reaches its destination with utmost care, allowing you to focus on supporting your loved ones during this challenging time.

Losing someone dear is never easy, and at Best of the Bunch, we strive to ease the process by providing heartfelt funeral flowers that speak volumes when words fail. Our commitment to quality, customisation, and compassion sets us apart as your trusted Bristol florist. Allow us to help you create a farewell tribute that celebrates a life well-lived and offers solace to those left behind.

If you require assistance or wish to explore how we can create your funeral flowers please don’t hesitate to contact us. In moments of grief, let flowers become the language of remembrance and comfort. For funeral flowers of any kind, please get in touch.

How are our flowers Sustainable?

As sustainability is at the heart of how I grow flowers I want to explain how I see it and why it’s important to me. I think it is fair to say the state of planet is deeply worrying but I don’t want to use heavy facts and figures because they can be overwhelming and could lead to despondency. Instead, I would rather focus on my approach towards sustainably grown flowers without finger pointing at countries or companies; but first let me tell why I grow flowers.

Although growing flowers is my next big adventure, my love of flowers started as an art history student appreciating the exquisite flowers painted by still life artistsin Holland in 17^th.C . It lead me to change career becoming a garden designer where I had one foot in art and design and another in horticulture and gardening. While experimenting with ways to show my clients how their garden borders would look I gathered the flowers from the plants I was using in their design to make a little posy to show them. It worked a treat for them and got me hooked on arranging flowers for my kitchen table. Soon I was taking workshops on flower arranging and needing to buy flowers to keep up with my demand, but they were never as fresh and beautiful as my own garden grown blooms. That’s when I realised, I would need to create my own cutting patch and grow for my own taste.

Over these past few decades, while visiting many large and small public and private gardens I have seen the fall in reliance on chemicals for fertility and pest control and the rise of whole systems thinking from permaculture and a deeper appreciation of soil health, with popularity for low interference through a no dig approach to growing, championed by Charles Dowding. This ‘tread lightly’ approach not only respects eco systems that already exist but helps us to question whose benefit certain practices and behaviours serve.

While I am doing as much as I can I am not aiming at perfection, and certainly not wanting to preach, but adopting as many ways as possible to grow flowers without harming the planet has got to be good, especially as flower are a luxury. As my knowledge grows and my practices are refined I will add to this blog with my findings, but if you have any specific questions or comments I would love to hear from you.

BEAUTIFUL LOCAL SEASONAL FLOWERS

With Approximately 86% of the UK cut flower market currently made up of imports why would you buy from a British grower?

Possibly the best reason for this choice are the flowers themselves. From our point of view, as growing is hard we only put our efforts into growing unusual and beautiful blooms, flowers you won’t find in the supermarket. These are selected for their impressive blooms, delicate colour, or exquisite scent.

And because we are a small grower, we have the flexibility to try out different varieties every year, responding to our customers tastes and to fine tune which flowers grow best for us in our corner of this green and pleasant land.

AIRMILES vs LOCALLY GROWN

When thinking of sustainability transit is by far the biggest issue to address and not just for the flower industry. Flowers are grown all over the world, you’ll probably have heard of Kenyan roses, Dutch tulips but South America and Israel are big flower producers too. Before their long journey many flowers are sprayed with chemicals to hold them back and the vehicles and storage areas are refrigerated in order to keep this perishable material saleable.

In contrast we only deliver within Bristol to keep our transport miles as low as possible and believe there will continue to be plenty of demand for our local and seasonal flowers as we expand.

SEASONAL

Red Roses for Valentine’s Day are the classic out of season flower that is widely bought. They have become the flower to buy on this day no doubt because Roses are the flower we associate most with Love. I adore roses but they flower in Summer not at the end of Winter. Cupping a rose to smell its delicate fragrance is surely one of the finest things to enjoy on a warm Summer day. And as with so many flowers our fondness for them is often closely tied to a memory which then anchors us to a season. Its why I believe buying flowers brings such delight and makes them so much more than a perishable gift.

As we only sell flowers when they are ready to harvest we don’t often have blooms ready for Valentines as it is too early in the growing year. But by Spring we have narcissus and tulips, in time for Mother’s Day. Despite missing out on orders at the start of the year there are advantages when working seasonally. We can pick each bloom at their perfect stage and put it straight into water. In fact we’re often told how long our flowers have lasted in the vase which is because they really couldn’t be any fresher,

PLANT CHOICE

Right plant right place – was a phrase coined by the esteemed garden maker and nursery woman Beth Chatto which I first came across working as a garden designer. We’ve used this approach to growing flowers to find the ones that thrive in our conditions.

The plot is small and on a slight slope with tiers of raised beds. It is on a hill, catching the wind. We have to be mindful of wind rock which stresses the plants as well as tearing blooms to shreds. In the windiest corner we grow Zinnias which cope the best. Next to them are our beds of dahlias, which are slightly sheltered and benefit from the shade this gives as well. Our spring bulbs and peonies are tucked under the plum tree which enjoy being out of the heat of the Summer sun.

Apart from coping well with our specific conditions we also select plants which can be cut at every stage of their development. For example the cottage garden favourite Love in a mist is used in bud, bloom and pod to make full use of the space it occupies. And should a plant go into seed production early, due to a heatwave or drought (or both together) we will use its seedheads if they dry well for Christmas wreaths.

POLLINATORS

In comparison with commercial growers who plant big swathes of a single crop, creating monocultures with limited biodiversity, we grow all the ingredients for a bouquet. From flowers to foliage and both together like herbs we grow a whole range of plants alongside each other. This nectar bar is beneficial for a greater number of insects and pollinators which in turn supports the natural local environment. And open air growing as opposed to enclosed greenhouses allows the pollinators and insects to come and go as they please.

WATER

This a vital resource for every flower grower. Many larger scale producers grow in covered greenhouses using automated irrigation systems. Our flowers are outdoor grown utilising natural rainfall, and when we do need to irrigate, we first of all we use water harvested from water buts and open barrels.

To conserve the moisture within the soil we also apply a thick mulch of strulch (a new straw based product) after planting not only to deter slugs but also to trap moisture within the soil saving us a lot of time watering.

WASTE and Plastics

Within the floristry industry many products have been developed for convenience without awareness of their environmental impact. The well known lightweight and versatile green floral foam has been widely used for decades by florists and flower arrangers alike but is filled with formaldehyde. Now biodegradability is important, alternatives are being sought and practices from the 1950’s are being used again! Scrunched up chicken wire can be formed into any shape and then filled with damp moss or simply placed inside vases and then filled with water. It’s a good alternative and one we use for our larger scale pieces.

Packaging is another area that we have looked at. For decorative purposes we offer recycled paper wrapping, which can then be composted, OR a Packaging Free option. For protective purposes because our delivery distances are short and I deliver them myself I pack the flowers very carefully and transporting them in large vases of fresh watering we don’t need extra packaging.

Additionally, we use either recycled jam jars or larger pickle jar for our hassle-free ready to place option.

So, if you are looking to make simple swops to reduce the impact of your consumption on the environment then buying our sustainable flowers in Bristol is an easy one. If you want to send sustainable flowers elsewhere in the UK please visit flowers from the farm website and type in their postcode to see a map with pins showing the selection of other sustainable growers. Speaking on their behalf we’d be delighted to fulfil your order and appreciate your support for a local business that cares about sustainability.

Spring time

I don’t know about you but I love being led by the Seasons and I am really enjoying Spring this year. I am filled with such cheer when I see banks of bright sunny daffodils; taking a woodland walk and drawing in deep breathes of the hyacinth like scent of bluebells and of course I love brightening my kitchen table with a vase of messy tulips.

I just love tulips as they are such easy garden bulbs to grow. They have a long period of interest flowering from March to May with the species tulips starting things off in March. There are so many colours and shapes to choose from and most bulbs are pretty cheap so they are a quick way of ringing the changes and trying different colour combinations in your home and garden. If you are looking for some ideas Michelle writes about tulips and other garden bulbs in her blog Bulbs -the perfect plant and will be running her popular Easy bulbs for spring containers workshop on the 12^th and 19^th September 2019.

For my Spring posy workshops I grow 6 different varieties which I think go particularly well together. I wouldn’t be without Evergreen which looks an unimpressive plain green globe in the field but is a very useful foil for other tulips in any arrangement. Another firm favourite is Brown Sugar, which I always invite my students to smell as it has a sweet scent, unusual for a tulip.

For me scent is absolutely essential in any arrangement. However, it is colour combinations I get most excited about. I realise now that I am always drawn to harmonies of colour, these slight tonal differences when grouped together really bring out the character of a colour. And colour is so evocative, you can create a soft, mellow mood with a vintage vibe or conjuring up a more historic feel of those mesmerising botanical masterpieces from 17^th Century. In fact tulips are the flower that introduced me to flower arranging; as an art history student I loved the work of Rachel Ruysch painting in 17^th c Holland. You will know the Dutch still life style I expect, her minute observation of all the materials she painted combined with an asymmetrical composition against a dramatic dark background I just adore. It has been a big influence on my floral style.

As you know our aim is to enable people to enjoy the beauty of nature in their homes and gardens so If you want to enjoy some tulips in your home here are some top tips. Choose your vase carefully as tulip are top heavy and continue to grow even after they are cut that they often flop about. There are ways of straightening your tulips that work for a while but I would suggest you embrace their nature and enjoy watching how they twist and turn as they gradually open and then start to fade. Choose a vase that is long and when you cut your tulips leave just a third of the bunch above the neck allowing the vase to do most of the supporting. And, unlike other cut flowers have only a 1/3 vase filled with fresh water.

Mother’s day flowers

Mother’s Day is a special occasion to show love and appreciation to mothers everywhere, and flowers are a classic and timeless gift that can express your feelings perfectly.

In the UK, there are many beautiful native flowers that are perfect for celebrating this special day.

Traditional Mother’s Day Flowers

For a traditional Mother’s Day gift, consider a bouquet of daffodils. These cheerful and sunny flowers symbolise new beginnings and hope, making them a fitting gift for a mother who has always supported and encouraged you. The daffodils are a staple of the UK spring season and are a favourite of many mothers.

Unconventional Mother’s Day Flowers

For a unique and unconventional Mother’s Day gift, some people consider an arrangement of heather. These delicate and beautiful flowers come in a range of colours, including pink, purple, and white, and symbolise admiration and protection. An arrangement of heather is a great way to show your love and appreciation for a mother who is always there for you.

No matter which native UK flowers you choose, the most important thing is the thought and love that goes into the gift. Whether you opt for classic blooms or something more unconventional, a Mother’s Day bouquet of native UK flowers is sure to bring a smile to your mother’s face and make her feel loved and appreciated.

Here at Best of the Bunch we have a range of seasonal, sustainable Mother’s Day flowers, sent around Bristol. Shop our mother’s day flowers here.

Valentine Flowers

Valentine’s day is inextricably linked with flowers. It’s a celebration of romance in the UK but in other countries it’s a celebration of friendship and kindness.

Understandably there is often some backlash against the commercial pressure of the day however it is a chance to highlight the environmental cost of some flower production and I am very pleased that information about intensively farmed roses flown in from Africa is becoming better known. I also even understand some criticism for the unimaginative dozen red roses choice, however for me flowers will always be the only choice.

Really it’s easy to steer away from the classic red rose bouquet by maybe trying a bunch of luxury white narcissus, or embellish the gift by combining your blooms with an elegant vase or perhaps a fun hat box and that way your loved one will be left with something to remember the occasion by and be able to refill it in the future. But by far the best choice for me is seasonal flowers. These are the most special blooms as they the ones which are flowering right now and fit in with what is going on around me. It’s like the first strawberry of summer on a hot sunny day or the sip of steaming mulled wine at an outdoor Christmas market. Not only can you savour the moment but you’ll always have something to look forward to. Plus by choosing a locally grown as well as seasonal bunch of flowers you can be kind to the environment too.

Looking for Valentine’s day flowers in Bristol?

Why not check out our shop for our range of Valentine’s day flowers. Shipping free to Bristol BS6 post codes.