The Florist

10/09/2026

We're throwing shyness out of the window to ask for your help!

You see, as an independent trade magazine we try never to have favourites and it's not in our nature to promote ourselves. But the fact is we are incredibly proud that the judges have made our sister company Florist Guide one of the 2026 BFA Industry Awards finalists. So before voting ends on 16th September, we're putting a shout out to all our fabulous followers to ask you to vote for GFG and ALL the amazing florists who are, have been and are about to become members.

Because that’s what GFG is about. A family of florists who don’t just create wonderful designs and make customer dreams come true, but who help and support each other through the ups and downs of running a floristry business … in good times and bad.

To be honest all the finalists in our category – FLORISTRY SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR – are amazing and we know we are already in incredibly good company*, but it would mean the world to us to be able to share a win with our members and our founder, Caroline Marshall-Foster who started the project way back in 1999 and alongside her role as Editor/Owner of Florist Magazine continues to support the brand.

To vote you need to click (or cut and paste) the link in the comments and then scroll down to our category and press the GFG button. In the meantime thank you so much … we really appreciate your support.

** Our fellow finalists … quite frankly every single one is fabulous … three of them are actually members of GFG … this is tough!!

08/09/2026

The news may be gloomy and frankly we can’t predict what’s going to happen next week, never mind in December but one thing we do know is that Christmas WILL happen.

And for businesses who have the right product, the right price – no that doesn’t mean cheap – and the right attitude it will happen big time. Because whatever anyone says there is still disposable income out there.

Which is why we are loving seeing so many of our followers already promoting their Christmas workshops and adding a few autumn ones into the mix as well.

Because consumers LOVE experiences … flower workshops are one of the best ways to give them a fun evening or afternoon and not only make money but engage a new cohort of customers for other sales.

But you need to be quick … September is the prime time to get those bookings in and deposits paid. So, if you haven’t sorted yours out make this the week you do it before someone else nabs your market.

07/09/2026

They may get a bad rap in some quarters, but when it comes to making positive changes OASIS® Floral Products (UK) are probably one of the best in the industry. And unlike some companies they don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk loud and proud.

Because their aims and aspirations are all publicly documented in their Big Green Plan. First published in 2021, it’s been updated to show - with total transparency - what they have achieved over the last five years, where they are investing in further improvements and what they plan to achieve by 2030.

Having worked with the company for over 45 years we know first-hand just how much effort they have put in to developing a fit for purpose, fit for planet range; reading the Big Green Plan is your way of being confident of their plans too.

The full story and links are on our website or you can access the Plan via the Oasis website too - otherwise use the link in the comments.

06/09/2026

Going to an exhibition, wholesaler day or floristry dem isn’t a luxury, it’s an essential part of running a business.

Not just a way of picking up new design ideas but marketing hints and tips, money making AND money saving hacks, inspiring yourself and your staff to try new things and reminding you why you got into this crazy industry in the first place!! Oh yes and a great way to meet fellow florists … often the only people who really understand!

Fortunately, there are a veritable plethora of events coming up over the next few weeks. Make sure you try and do at least one of them and give yourself a boost before Christmas really kicks in!

Strawberry Hill House & Garden
Fleurs de Villes
St Mary le Strand
HTA News
Féerie Florale
British Florist Association
Rooted Florals
Royal FloraHolland

17/08/2026

Having worked with Ximena for many years - and gone on a Tingua hunt with her! - we are delighted to announce that she is returning to the brilliant Florverde Sustainable Flowers organisation which she headed up for 13 years and helped establish as an internationally recognised benchmark for sustainable floriculture.

Ximena brings more than 25 years of experience in sustainability and conservation across the public, private, non profit, and international development sectors.

Throughout her career, she has led strategic initiatives in biodiversity, sustainable supply chains, agricultural certification, circular economy, and corporate sustainability.

During her previous tenure at Florverde Sustainable Flowers, she played a key role in strengthening the certification, advancing its sustainability standards, and expanding its international reach.

Her return comes at an important moment for Florverde, as the certification continues to strengthen its global presence and its role in advancing responsible and sustainable practices across the international floriculture and ornamental horticulture supply chain.

Founding members of the Floricultural Sustainability Initiative (FSI) and the first floral accreditation scheme to gain recognition from the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) of the Consumer Goods Forum are just two reasons why Florverde - which started in Colombia and now extends to other LatAm countries including some Ecuadorian growers - is considered the worlds leading organisation in the world of environmental accreditation and guidance.

15/08/2026

The 2026 BFA Industry Award finalists have been announced. Initially entries were judged by a panel of industry experts, who, the British Florist Association tell us, were incredibly impressed by the quality and calibre of entries received across all 12 categories.

They have whittled it down to these 56 finalists and now it's down to a public vote to decide who takes the top places.

To vote for your favourite simply click the link in the comments and in the meantime, our congratulations to everyone who made it this far … to us you are ALL winners.

FLORISTRY STUDENT OF THE YEAR
Arwen Hunt - Wigan and Leigh College
Jamie Kelly - CAFRE
Victoria Upton - Coleg Cambria

FLORISTRY TUTOR OF THE YEAR
Abigail McGuire - The Floristry School Sheffield
Allan Raby - East Durham College
Amanda Ellis - Coleg Cambria
Anne Marie Grant - CAFRE
Charlotte Perrett - East Durham College
Jayne Buet - Glasgow Clyde College
Jo Cullingworth - Doncaster College
Sally Brewster - Shipley College

FLORISTRY TRAINING PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
Coleg Cambria
Doncaster College
East Durham College
Kay's Flower School
Moreton Morrell College
The Floristry School Sheffield

GROWER OF THE YEAR
Marginpar
Miss Alstroemeria
Porta Nova

FLORISTRY SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
Details Flowers Software
Digital Florist
Good Florist Guide
Morgan Douglas Nuth
Strelitzia

SUNDRIES SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
IS Group
Smithers-Oasis UK LTD
Trevor Green Floral Sundries
Westflor

FLOWER SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
Hoek Flowers
Van Der Plas

LOCAL FLOWER WHOLESALER OF THE YEAR
Flower Grower Collective
Flower Vision Lancashire
Peter H Smith Ltd

SUSTAINABILITY ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
Denise Cross - Bicton College
Heidi Baker - The Flower studio
Stephanie Gillespie - Smithers-Oasis UK LTD

SHINING STAR AWARD
Claire Maeder-Jones - Writtle College
Ian Armstrong - The Bloom Room
Jacob Harris - Peter J Hawking Ltd
Tracy Tomlinson
Viv Bradford - Mrs Bees Flower Company

WEDDING/EVENT FLORIST OF THE YEAR
Bembridge Flower Shop, Bembridge
Go Tell the Bees, Oxon
Lilys Flowers, Lightwater
Peacock and Wild, Winstanley
Perfect Petals UK, Evesham

RETAIL FLORIST OF THE YEAR
Beehive Florist, Chelmsford
Bluebells Lincoln Ltd, Lincolnshire
BLÜM Floral, Chesterfield
Chelsea Flowers, Wilmslow
Floritta Ltd, London
Helensburgh Flowers, Helensburgh
Memento, Belfast
Norris Floristry – Master Florists, Glossop
The Gravesend Florist, Gravesend

11/08/2026

We’re on our 5th … or is it 6th heatwave here in the UK and even weatherman Tomasz Schafernaker was struggling to be positive earlier today. But with no sign of any meaningful let up and the effects of climate change and El Nino likely to continue, business must go on. What are the top Heatwave Hacks doing the rounds and can you add anything to the list? Drop your inspo in the comments and help another hot and bothered florist get through it!

1: Only buy what you need to avoid wastage - little and often is the mantra.

2: Choose heat-friendly varieties or those that will dry naturally in the vase and still look good.

3: Don’t overfill buckets – it can lead to rot.

4: Ramp up the care and conditioning. Change water daily and make sure the flower food dosage is accurate.

5: For wedding and funeral work sprays like Chrysal Glory or Floralife’s Finishing Touch add a fine mist that seals the moisture in and can help keep designs fresh and gorgeous.

6: Adapt working hours around the heat. Work early and late and avoid the midday sun.

7: Cool down delivery vans for at least ten minutes before loading stock.

8: Be wary of leaving deliveries if no-one home – if it’s too hot you could end up with a refund claim so it may be better to bring it back if no neighbour can take it.

9: If you have a cooler make sure it is set accurately and can cope with the external temperature uplifts.

10: Manage customer expectations. Revise guarantees to explain extreme heatwaves may shorten vase life and consider offering hardier options like plants or dried designs.

11: Keep brides in the loop about possible substitutions and risks of outdoor set ups. If feasible, revisit set up times for weddings to avoid working in high temperatures. Consider leaving a team member on site to mist, swap out stems and monitor water levels until all photos have been taken.

And finally, always include care cards and in hot temperatures give extra flower food for the increased water changes needed.

Have we missed something? Drop it in the comments below

10/08/2026

We love this explanation on the beauty of flowers and why they really aren't supposed to go on forever.

Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht joins Drew Barrymore and Ross Mathews ...

05/08/2026

We know there are many who think floristry is girlie .. 18 year old Jamie Kelly hopes to dispel that myth and encourage more men into the sector.

Now, still only 18, Jamie is one of the youngest people to be shortlisted for the British Floristry Association's Floristry Student of the Year.

08/06/2026

Loneliness is something that most of us experience at some point. But when loneliness is severe or lasts a long time, it can have a negative impact on a person’s health and well-being. Which is why Bristol based charity Marmalade Trust host Loneliness Awareness Week and use it as a way of encouraging people to make connections.
Direct2florist have supported the campaign for years and are now asking the whole industry to join them and their 750 members be part of the event using the power of flowers to connect.

The idea is simple, easy and a great way to help.
1. Put your business on the LAW website Connections Map (link in comments) to let people know you will be taking part in the Connection Bouquets element during Loneliness Awareness Week 15-21 June.
2. If you’re a D2F member download the Connection Bouquet tags to attach to your bouquets or create your own - see our example.
2. Create small bouquet/s and hide them in interesting and beautiful places in your area. They can be as big or small as you like and how many you make is completely up to you.
3. Tell people you are involved (let your local media know too!) take pictures of where they're hidden, and share them on social media using the hashtags

You've plenty of time to get it ready for next week and not only will you help connect people but create your own connections too - a win-win we reckon everyone should be part of. Let us know how you get on!