British Flower Grower - Howe Farm Flowers
Meet the Grower: Howe Farm Flowers
We're so happy to be sharing another wonderful grower with you - meet Amber of Howe Farm Flowers.
Amber's path here wasn't an obvious one. From investment banking in London to a smallholding in the Buckinghamshire countryside, flower farming found her almost by accident, and she's never looked back since.
We spoke to Amber about how it all began, what's blooming on the farm right now, and how florists can start buying from her.
Her Story
Amber's journey into flower farming started after the birth of her twins. She and her husband had bought a 24 acre smallholding a couple of years before, and after some trial and error, realised raising livestock wasn't the path for them. A visit to a flower farm in Kent changed everything, no-dig, growing at scale, welcoming visitors in to cut their own flowers. Amber came home, ordered 26 tons of compost, and got started.
That was nine years ago. Today, she flower farms across around 2 acres.
Her path here is a lovely one. Amber is originally from California, and moved to England to study for a Masters in Library and Information Studies. Before settling in the countryside, she worked in investment banking in London, about as far from flower farming as you can get. A move to Buckinghamshire and an initial attempt at pig farming didn't quite work out, but it led her to realise what she actually loved doing: nurturing small plants into much bigger ones, and watching them bloom.
Flower farming has given Amber the flexibility to be a stay-at-home mum while running a successful business of her own, all while being close to nature and the creativity it inspires.
"I ordered 26 tonnes of compost and got started."
A Week at Howe Farm Flowers
No two weeks look the same, and that's exactly what Amber loves about it. A typical week might start with Monday and Tuesday spent staying on top of weeds, clearing beds for new plants, watering the polytunnels, and working through admin. Wednesday is an early start, cutting flowers for the bouquets sold in her shop and at the local garden centre, plus any wholesale orders for the week, before getting the garden and barns ready for weekend visitors. Thursday brings another early cut, ready for Flowers and Tea guests, followed by deliveries once the farm closes. Friday and Saturday are busy with shop and pick-your-own visitors, and Sunday is for rest.
Amber's approach to growing is wonderfully simple: try anything and everything that will look pretty in a vase. Across a year, that adds up to over 500 different varieties, from daffodils and alliums to dahlias and chrysanthemums. If there's a flower she hasn't tried yet, it's probably next on the list.
Her real speciality is diversity, and growing flowers that genuinely reflect the season they're grown in.
Right now, ammi and corncockle are blooming beautifully, swaying in the breeze, alongside some really striking double poppy varieties. She's especially excited for the dahlias coming later this year, and the phlox just starting to bloom in the polytunnel. New for this year are some lovely shades of nicotiana in dark bronze and coral, which she can't wait to see in bloom.
Weddings, Drying, and Beyond
Weddings and events are a real highlight of Amber's year. Once the season reaches a certain point, the growing side naturally winds down, leaving time to focus on creating beautiful arrangements for couples. Careful planning means there's always enough time to get everything done.
Beyond fresh flowers, Amber also loves working with dried flowers, creating dried floral installations for homes. Being welcomed into someone's home to create something special and unique for their space is something she finds particularly rewarding.
What do you wish more florists understood about buying British-grown flowers?
"British flowers are not an inferior product and should not be valued less than their imported counterparts. It takes a lot of time, money and effort to grow flowers, and this should be reflected in their price. You are often left with more choice and variety when choosing British, making your designs infinitely more interesting and special."
It's a sentiment that speaks to so much of what we hear from growers, and a good reminder of just how much thought and care goes into every stem.
A Lovely Milestone
A few years ago, Amber's wreath made the front cover of the Christmas edition of Gardener's World magazine, with a feature spread inside on flower arrangements for the holiday season. By her own admission, one of the proudest moments of her flower farming journey so far.
How to Buy From Howe Farm Flowers
Amber sells direct to florists, and is also a member of the Cookham Flower Hub, a collective of British flower growers selling direct to florists. The hub is a great way to buy from multiple British growers and collect everything in one place.
There's no minimum order, so whether you need a handful of stems or something much bigger, Amber is happy to consider it. The best way to get in touch is by emailing amber@howefarmflowers.com with your event date and colour scheme, and she'll take it from there.
Quick Facts
Based: Buckinghamshire
Best known for: Seasonal British-grown flowers
Ideal for: Wedding & event florists
Wholesale: Direct enquiries & Flower Hub
Minimum order: Large or small orders welcome
Don't miss: Double poppies, Ammi & stunning seasonal dahlias
Looking to source British-grown flowers for your next wedding or event? Howe Farm Flowers welcomes enquiries from florists throughout the season.
This feature is part of our British Grower Spotlight series, celebrating the incredible flower farmers supplying florists across the UK. Browse the full series to discover more growers, learn what's in season, and build new wholesale connections.