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spindleflowers

Grower of British flowers & foliage, event florist, wholesaler and teacher.

S P I N D L E Flowers
A good foliage crop is something that is desirable A good foliage crop is something that is desirable for florists and long-lasting in the vase, capable of rapid regeneration after cutting, and has low susceptibility to pests & diseases. The ideal site for foliage growing is readily accessible by road, sheltered, well-drained but moist and relatively rich in nutrients, with neutral to slightly acidic soil. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My knowledge of foliage growing was deepened (and corrected - see below) by last week's exciting seminar at Spindle. We aimed to enquire - with various farmers, flower growers, and agroforestry experts - into the viability of growing foliage as a diversification crop, in collaboration with British flower growers. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The seminar was funded by @farminginprotectedlandscapes and guided by the wonderful Rachel & Pia from #nationallandscapes / #AONB. We were fortunate to be joined by Jon Haines from the Soil Association and my cousin Jamie Acworth from Little Hidden Farm. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We looked at how agroforestry works in practise on a farm scale. I provided some technical information about growing foliage and flowering shrubs and discussed routes to market. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Then, with valuable input from our knowledgeable and experienced participants, we workshopped why foliage growing might be a good idea from an agroforestry perspective. Our focus was on questions of design, stakeholders, business models and partnerships, funding and constraints. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We wanted to discuss where the opportunities lie for collaboration between farmers and flower growers and to build capacity for rolling out the idea nationally. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Watch this space for some foliage growing trials next year. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We're calling it 'agrofloristry' 🌿 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ N.B. Jamie says, 'grass and trees don't go together'. I think I'll need to re-think my planting design to include wood chip mulch or white clover.
@tiptoeyoga have got a few more places on the wrea @tiptoeyoga have got a few more places on the wreaths and garlands courses this Saturday. It’s a gorgeous spot in the New Forest near Bournemouth, if you know a creative, outdoorsy type who would enjoy this, please do let them know 🙂🌿 Link in bio to book. #bournemouth #southbourne #sobo #pobo #wreathmaking #sustainableliving #ecoflorist
Ooh we’re in @homes_antiques! Really it’s ju Ooh we’re in @homes_antiques! Really it’s just me basking in my cousin Claire’s glory. She and her partner, Rob, are the brains & brilliance behind the crafts hub @wernogwood where I’ll be running the wreath and garland making courses on the 9th Dec. Thanks to @rhiannonbatten for the mention 🌿💕 (In the summer garland pictured you might spot pistache which is an imported foliage. I’m now experimenting with growing it). #wreathcourses #christmasgarlands #bringtheoutsidein #greenchristmas #northwales #homesandantiquesmagazine
I can’t find the words. I’ve been searching fo I can’t find the words. I’ve been searching for them for weeks…. since the appalling attack on Isr*el and the on-going horror in G*za. The Elders’ open letter to President Biden on the 16th offers the genuine compassion that sometimes only comes with age. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The letter is good. Link in bio. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Also linked in bio is a statement on behalf of UK Gardeners for Palestine which you are invited to sign too. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌿
Remember the smell of moss and pine? Some love Chr Remember the smell of moss and pine? Some love Christmas, some not so much. I’m a bit of both, but the parts that make the most sense to me are when I’m brought into the present, either by the smells or the feel of using plants to decorate the house, or being close to a warm fire, and laughing with family and friends. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'm running two wreath and garland making workshops in some very special places this year. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tiptoe Yoga is a yoga retreat centre with a beautiful studio and accommodation near New Milton, in the middle of the New Forest. On Saturday 2nd Dec I'll be teaching wreath making in the morning and garland making in the afternoon, with a delicious vegetarian lunch if you come to both. Go to @tiptoeyoga to book. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Wernog Wood is a craft centre, also with accommodation (their gorgeous Red Shed was recently featured in The Times), in the heart of the Clwydian Range in North East Wales. On Saturday the 9th we'll be doing wreaths in the morning, garlands in the afternoon, or if you attend both sessions you get a lovely simple lunch. Go to @wernogwood to book. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Kind of goes without saying that walking in these areas is really amazing too. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'll be bringing my usual crazy abundance of foliage, mostly from the field, plus a variety of lovely, sustainably sourced conifer for the Christmas vibe. There will be subtle dried flowers and grasses, seed heads, berries, feathers, texture and scent (the mossy smell.... remember?) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Roughly speaking, it's £75 per session, with a discount if you come to both. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Both are booking up fast :-) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #christmas #seed heads #wreaths #retreatcentre #mossysmells #christmasgarlands #britishflowers ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ image @wildwoodmoth
I'm running two wreath and garland making workshop I'm running two wreath and garland making workshops in some very special places this year. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tiptoe Yoga is a yoga retreat centre with a beautiful studio and accommodation near New Milton, in the middle of the New Forest. On Saturday 2nd Dec I'll be teaching wreath making in the morning and garland making in the afternoon, with a delicious vegetarian lunch if you come to both. Go to @tiptoeyoga to book. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Wernog Wood is a craft centre, also with accommodation (their gorgeous Red Shed was recently featured in The Times), in the heart of the Clwydian Range in North East Wales. On Saturday the 9th we'll be doing wreaths in the morning, garlands in the afternoon, or if you attend both sessions you get a lovely simple lunch. Go to @wernogwood to book. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Kind of goes without saying that walking in these areas is really amazing too. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'll be bringing my usual crazy abundance of foliage, mostly from the field, plus a variety of lovely, sustainably sourced conifer for the Christmas vibe. There will be subtle dried flowers and grasses, seed heads, berries, feathers, texture, scent (the mossy smell.... remember?). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Roughly speaking, it's £75 per session, with a discount if you come to both. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Both are booking up fast :-) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #christmas #seedheads #retreatcentre #traditionalcraft #mossysmells #christmasgarlands #britishflowers #wreath
Spindle photo by @plot.twist.gardens 💚 It was Spindle photo by @plot.twist.gardens 💚 It was so enjoyable to spend another day last week talking all things foliage with @florasomerset_ @rivergardenflowers @heathland_flowers @wild_west_flowers @piedbeautyflowers and thanks Rory @wegrowcolour for being my lovely assistant. Today I am thinking again about #israel and #palestine and trying to make sense of it, when there really isn’t any sense to be found. The spindle picture, so beautifully balanced, is all I can offer today. Love to you all 💕
Pittosporum ‘tom thumb’ is gorgeous, but a bit Pittosporum ‘tom thumb’ is gorgeous, but a bit slow growing. I find p. purpureum is faster growing and more useful. But pitto generally can be disappointingly sensitive. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This was one of the many and varied discussions on the foliage growing course yesterday. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Such a great group of women of all ages, backgrounds, skills & experiences. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Many thanks @bohemianbloomsuk @myherefordshiregarden @purple_patch_bristol @the_flower_social @full_moon_flora & Jacqui, @helsthorpefarmflowers & Marianne for some hilarious conversations 😆 and an enjoyable (if very chilly) day.
Yesterday’s foliage course was such a pleasure. Yesterday’s foliage course was such a pleasure. The group was so generous in sharing their considerable and varied knowledge. Many thanks @floralnotesflowers @dorsetflowerco @theflower_tree @theflowerboutiqueuk @backyard_flower_farm @jordansfarm_rewilding @severnvalleyflowers And special thanks to my lovely assistant @wegrowcolour The pic is of nicandra or Peruvian apple. A brilliant, structural annual foliage.
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  • Foliage growing course - 21st October 2023
    Foliage growing course – 21st October 2023
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    Foliage growing course – 18th October 2023
    £110.00
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  • Foliage growing course - 11th October 2023
    Foliage growing course – 11th October 2023
    £110.00
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