Flowers for a summer scent

My favourite flowers for colour and scent are:

Freesia- these come in a range of pretty colours, white, yellow, lilac, red and orange - these are highly scented, and would make a special gift for anyone who has limited eyesight.

Peony - a blowsy bloom in shades of pink, red, white and creamy yellow. A beautiful scent and if you grow them in your garden you will see they are adored by ants - they produce a sticky sap, which they just love 🐜

Lavender - in a range of lilacs and mauves and now also white and pinky mauve shades. Can be used fresh or dried in arrangements. The scent brings back childhood memories ❤️

Tulips - are known for their glamorous spring flowers,  some even offer a beautiful scent. The Tulipa 'Ballerina' and the ‘Angelique tulip are a much-loved favourite, according to research from Garderners World 

Flower fact: did you know that tulips continue to grow in water after they are cut, up to an inch or more. They also bend their heads towards the light ☀️

The trick to long-lasting tulips is to buy ones very “tight” or unopened, with buds still green and just showing some colour.

Did you also know that a yellow tulip is the colour of friendship, something helpful to know when buying a good friend a bouquet of flowers ;-)

My Top 5 Pick of Flowers for Spring (and what to avoid for allergies):

My 5 Top Picks of Flowers for Spring

Daffodil - simply stunning. Synonymous with St David's Day, these blooms are a pop of joy at the time of year when we need something to sing about.

Ranunculus - such a pretty and delicate little flower in a kaleidoscope of colours. They look as though they are made of fine paper! Did you know these are members of the buttercup family?

Anemone - I love the richness of these little beauties, almost velvety in appearance. Like the Tulip, these continue to grow in water and will curve towards light

Hyacinth - Great mixed in with other Spring flowers (avoiding daffodils - that's another blog!) or stunning en masse  . They have a powerful scent and come in a range of stunning colours, white, blue, mauve, pink and apricot. Like the tulip they continue to grow when in water and with a heavy head they are best supported by an appropriately shaped vase or with other flowers and foliage.

Tulips - Originating from central Asia, then a treasured flower in Persia and Turkey and in turn cultivated in Holland, the Dutch are now the largest grower of the Tulip. In the language of flowers, tulips represent 'perfect love' but like many other blooms the colours can also have a symbolic meaning

Flowers to avoid if you suffer from migraines or allergies

As wonderful as Spring and Summer are, they can bring out a lot of allergies for some. If you suffer from allergies then you may be affected by flowers high in pollen - these include chrysanthemum, daisies, dahlia and aster amongst others. Lilies can be a problem too, as can freesia, lilac, roses and hyacinth, not because of the pollen but because of their strong scent.

I have a friend that loved lilies but put her migraines down to having them in the house.

One person's pleasure can be another's poison, so it's worth remembering when you buy your loved one flowers - you don't want them suffering with streaming eyes or an itchy nose!

3 Beautiful Indoor Winter Plants to Brighten Your Home

Poinsettia -

It’s no surprise that Poinsettias are a festive favourite for most.

Like cut flowers indoor plants can be rather fussy - they don't like draughts, too much direct sunlight, nor do they like to be over or under watered! Poinsettias can last for weeks - give them some TLC and they can last through the winter.

This colourful flower is particularly popular for those wanting to sprinkle some festivity and Christmas joy in their homes. It also makes the perfect Christmas table decoration.

Hyacinth -

These make us think of the promise of Spring, lighter days and hopefully more settled weather! This is really a Spring flower but at Christmas these bulbs can be 'forced' by using prepared bulbs either in water or in planters. They will die off once flowered but I would always advise you not to throw these away but to plant in your garden afterwards.

Mixed Foliage -

It's all about the scent! When flowers are scarce or have to be imported I would suggest thinking 'outside the box' with foliages - Spruce, Eucalyptus, Bay and Rosemary. My favourite - what's not to like about these Christmassy scents. My whole car smelt of spruce for days after having bundles in the boot. Bootiful!! 

Flower Fact (that you might not know)

In days gone by we would have only used flowers and foliage that were available in the winter rather than imported. And any crops that were left over and suitable would have been dried, much like pickling vegetables and making excess fruit into jam.

Did you know that over 80% of flowers are now imported into this country? It's worth thinking about where your flowers come from. Of course, there’ll be times that roses will only fit the bill but to keep it eco-friendly why not consider alternatives like dried flowers?

Not only are they long-lasting, they are low maintenance and offer good value for money. And, they make  perfect eco-friendly decor for your home. Take a look at my work in the pictures below to give some inspiration to show you what you can do with dried flowers.

Like these tips and would love to know more? Follow me on my Facebook page where I regularly post flower tips in accordance with each season, as well as funeral flower guidance.

Poinsettia -

Hyacinth -

Mixed Foliage -

Dried flower arrangement -

Funeral Flowers - Frequently Asked Questions

There are many practical things to deal with when you lose a friend or loved one and when you’re emotional it becomes even more daunting. So you might find it helpful to know the type of questions asked when ordering your flowers and why they are asked.

The full name of the Deceased 

These details are added to the back of the message card so the arrangement arrives at the Funeral Directors, ensuring it does not get muddled with another funeral

The full name and address of the Funeral Director 

This is where the arrangement will be delivered. In the past, best practice was for the flowers to be delivered to home addresses and whilst this occasionally happens, it is preferable that the arrangements are taken directly to the funeral parlour, so that they can all arrive together with the coffin to the venue

The time and the place where the funeral will take place 

This will allow time for the arrangements to arrive fresh and in good time for the Funeral Director to arrange the flowers in the hearse

The type of floral design required 

There are many and varied designs available for example, coffin sprays, wreaths, posy and bespoke arrangements

Sometimes the flowers for a funeral just need to be beautifully simple. A little bouquet perfect as a farewell from a child (see attached photo for inspiration)

Whilst this covers the main questions, in addition, I would also ask about the person's likes and hobbies, favourite colours and flowers, which gives a more rounded picture of them and assists me in personalising my designs. It's important to remember that these are farewell flowers which are as unique as the person and who's life they are intended to celebrate.

If you’re looking to pay your final respects to someone special in your life, but need some assistance in choosing funeral flowers, you can read my blog here. Alternatively, get in touch with me directly here.

How Much Do Funeral Flowers Cost

This is quite a difficult question because it depends on the type of arrangement you choose, the size and the choice of flowers included. 

Some people do not appreciate the amount of work involved in these arrangements, so wonder why they are expensive.

But if you consider conversations/meetings with clients, planning, ordering, collection, conditioning of flowers and foliage and sundries, without even spending time physically putting the design together, it gives you an idea of what is involved.

So back to the original question. Small arrangements, such as posies can start around £35 and coffin sprays upwards of £150. Click here for more guidance on funeral flowers and my price guidelines. If there's something you have in mind for a special loved one, you can contact me here and I'll be happy to discuss your requirements.

Choosing your funeral flowers

I'm often asked what the most popular flowers are for funerals and in the past I would have said lilies and roses.  Whilst these are still popular, trends are changing…

Some people really have an aversion to lilies, because of their scent but also for the very reason they are associated with funerals. In my experience the styles of arrangements are changing too, so families do not always want structured but prefer a more natural look to their farewell flowers. Click here to read more in my blog on A Guide To Choosing Your Funeral Flowers

Sharing a couple of funeral flowers to take a look for inspiration

If that's something that you would like to consider, contact me at www.flourishingflowers.co.uk. Alternatively, follow me on my Facebook page HERE for more funeral flower tips and inspiration.

How To Care For Funeral Flowers After The Funeral

Some of my clients prefer to take home the arrangements after the funeral service.  Whilst some flowers may be in bud, unlike gift bouquets designed to last for some time, funeral arrangements are made to look their best at the funeral. 

However, there's nothing wrong with keeping them going a little longer. 

So what should you do?

Some like to leave the arrangement in the garden and look at the flowers. If you decide to do this, I would suggest you give it water every day, unless it rains, of course. As an alternative, the flowers and foliage could be removed from the arrangement and placed in vases or jam jars. I would suggest you recut the stems at an angle to encourage the fresh water to be taken up, removing blooms as they fade and refreshing the water too.

Repurposing floral funeral arrangements

I'm often asked to make alternative arrangements for customers and one that's really popular is a coffin spray that can be distributed to the guests after a service. 

Many dislike the fact that after a couple of days, the crematorium or place of worship dispose of the designs, and to many it seems such a waste.  Seeing the display going out to others may give comfort to the family and give the guests something beautiful and positive to enjoy.  

If that's something that you would like to consider, contact me at www.flourishingflowers.co.uk. Alternatively, follow me on my Facebook page HERE for more funeral flower tips and inspiration. 

What To Write On Funeral Flower Cards

When you order funeral flowers you’ll be asked what message you’d like on the arrangement. 

Whether it's a friend or a loved one, where do you start?  I've never been a great one for words but does it really matter as long as the sentiment comes from the heart? On a practical note the cards have limited space, so if in doubt my advice is to keep it short and simple.  Here are a few that may help to make the decision easier:

Those we love don't go away,

They walk beside us every day.

Unseen, unheard, but always near

Still loved, still missed and very dear.

If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart. I'll stay forever. [A A Milne - Winnie the Pooh]

 Forever in our Hearts

Gone but never forgotten

❤️

Organising funerals can be incredibly distressing, and whilst I can’t wave a magic wand and make it all go away, what I can do is be there to listen to your story. What did your loved one like? From their favourite memories, their passion, a hobby, their favourite flower or colours, are questions we will work through together to help you organise the perfect flower tribute for your special loved one.

I will support and guide you to choose personal and fitting flower tributes, as well as advise you on the funeral process, alleviating some of the stress of the situation.  One arrangement does not fit all, nor should it. Contact me HERE me to enquire further.

A Guide To Choosing Your Funeral Flowers

Are you looking to pay your final respects to someone special in your life?

It goes without saying that it’s never easy when you lose a loved one. Choosing and organising the right funeral flowers can be a little difficult, especially when we’re not in the right frame of mind and feel there is too much to deal with - both practically and emotionally. Understandably too. So with that in mind, below are 5 floral designs to give you a guide to choosing your tribute.

Funeral Flower Types

The Heart

The open or closed heart are often chosen by close family members, or perhaps by children signifying the love they had for the deceased, and acts as a very personal statement.

A Coffin Spray

A coffin spray, sometimes known as a double ended spray or Casket arrangement.

Traditionally this is the arrangement that sits on the coffin as it is taken into the chapel for the service. It is often chosen by the close family members as their parting gift. Some families prefer to have this coupled with donations to a charity rather than masses of flowers.

There are choices in respect of how these are arranged such as 'living' arrangements, those that can be taken apart and distributed amongst the mourners or one that will remain at the crematorium or place of worship. For further details, take a look at my home page HERE

The Wreath

The wreath signifies the circle of eternal life, so is often seen as appropriate for funerals. 

These can be made up with a mass of one flower or a mix of different flowers and colours.

Alternatively, these could be more natural structures of twisted branches of willow or dogwood with foliage and flowers.  Whatever the choice, this is a classic and tasteful arrangement

The Sheaf

This is a hand tied arrangement that is designed to lay flat, in a teardrop shape. This can be made up of a mix of flowers and styles both classic and contemporary. It is often popular made up of one single type of flower like a rose with added foliage.

The Posy 

This is a perfect arrangement for a funeral and is an especially popular choice with friends or for young children.  A round design that can be seen from all sides, with a dome shape to the top. If you are in doubt about the type of design to choose, you cannot go far wrong with this.

I feel that times are changing and hopefully for the better in respect of floristry. My clients have often wanted more than a standard arrangement and why should they only have these just because it's always been done that way, when there are so many alternatives

Take for example the massed chrysanthemum arrangements.  Now we can offer more than this - something more sustainable, something with longevity and not just thrown away after a couple of days.  This is why I have introduced living arrangements to my portfolio. 

These can be made in various shapes and can be planted out giving the family some comfort at a difficult time after the funeral.  They can be made up of a mix of annuals and perennials at this time of year, or when plants are more limited during the winter, perhaps bulbs, perennials and some cut flowers. 

 The joy of these is that they can be arranged with what is in season. Give me a call if you would like to discuss further, or contact me HERE.

Organising funerals can be incredibly distressing, and whilst I can’t wave a magic wand and make it all go away, what I can do is be there to listen to your story. What did your loved one like? From their favourite memories, their passion, a hobby, their favourite flower or colours, are questions we will work through together to help you organise the perfect flower tribute for your special loved one.

I will support and guide you to choose personal and fitting flower tributes, as well as advise you on the funeral process, alleviating some of the stress of the situation.  One arrangement does not fit all, nor should it. Contact me HERE me to enquire further.