Shropshire business blossoms from seed of an idea
It started as a dream to grow a field of lavender – and is now a business concentrating on all things floral.
Family-run business Shropshire Field turns land close to Shrewsbury into a rainbow of colours through the summer.
Cut flowers are already being harvested and soon lavender will start to show, cultivated in two long beds.
The flowers are distributed across the region, transformed into seasonal floral creations for weddings, birthdays or for homes.
Ensure flowers are wrapped on purchased and the stems wrapped in damp tissue.
Buy flowers from a reputable outlet, choose blooms with firm petals and with a degree of colour.
Use lukewarm water for cut flowers as there is less oxygen in it and it helps prevent air bubbles in the stem that will block water uptake. However, daffodils and tulips which prefer cold water.
Clean your vases
Cut stems at an angle as this gives the stem a bigger area to take up water
Strip all leaves below the water level as they cant take in sunlight and oxygen underwater[/breakout]
The idea for the flower business came 15 years ago, but only became a reality three years ago in the village of Pontesbury.
Garlic, herbs, tomatoes and dried chillies are also produced in the autumn, with the help of a local farmer, and delivered to delicatessens and markets across the county — including Ludlow Food Centre, Van Doesburgs Deli in Church Stretton, Battlefield 1403 and Pomona in Shrewsbury.
Kathryn Reynolds, owner of Shropshire Fields, said the British grown flower industry is enjoying a revival.
It has been helped by the success of events like the Chelsea Flower Show, which enjoyed more television coverage than ever before this year. Shropshire Field also benefits from Shrewsbury's link to flowers through its annual show and its ongoing success in the Britain in Bloom competition.
Next weekend she will host an open day to mark British Flower Week, part of a co-ordinated campaign to bolster the UK's flower industry.
People will be able to visit the business, admire the spectacle and learn about the process of how flowers develop from seed to shop.
Kathryn said the success of her business is down to hard work and also the help of others in the area.
She said: "This year the cut flower growing beds were ploughed and rotated with the help of a local farmer.
"We've also erected a Polytunnel for the growing of various seedlings and this year we've been focusing on establishing the growing beds for cut flowers.
"We are building good relationships with other local businesses, including Shropshire's Own, a local shop specialising in Shropshire produce located in Longden.
"We have been lucky enough to provide flowers for some beautiful weddings in Shropshire and have many more bookings well into 2016 to look forward to.
"The British grown flower industry is enjoying an exciting revival at the moment.
"The open day is a great way to show people what we do and how flowers are cultivated. We boast great views here as well."
Shropshire Field, which was made possible with the help of a local business funding grant, has even been mentioned by the organisers of New Convent Garden Market for British Flower Week as a top grower.
The concept of British Flower Week came from New Covent Garden Flower Market in London, but has since spread across the UK. The original plan was for a trade-only social media campaign to inspire more professional florists to buy British.
But it was soon to become much more and Helen Evans, of Covent Garden Market Authority, said businesses like Shropshire Field were at the forefront of the revival of the British flower industry.
Open days like that in Shrewsbury have been organised for sites across the country, from farms to wholesalers.
She said: "We have been overwhelmed by the interest in British Flowers Week from florists, growers, the public and the media alike. Last year's social media campaign reached 1.5 million on Twitter alone. People are starting to ask where their flowers are grown and what's in season – just as they do for food.
"Our florist customers value seasonal, scented and locally grown very highly. It is one clear way to set themselves apart from the crowd."
Gill Hodgson of Flowers from the Farm, a network representing cut flower businesses across the country, said: "It really seems as though things are finally starting to happen for British cut flowers.
"When we show our flowers at fairs around the country, people are interested and enthusiastic.
"We have a very passionate network of growers, and they are struggling to grow enough to keep up with demand."
The open day at Shropshire Field will take place on Saturday, June 20 between 1pm and 4pm.
There will be refreshments, a raffle, an opportunity to get a massage, bee keeping and falconry demonstrations.
The field is also open weekly every Thursday between 10am and 6pm for sales.
