Top tips for working with British Growers

Top Tips for Working Well with British Growers.

At The Freelance Florist, we’re passionate about connecting florists with British flower growers. As the demand for sustainable, locally-grown flowers increases, there's never been a better time to build strong relationships with UK-based flower farms.

We recently spoke to British flower grower Sarah, from North & Flower, who generously shared some helpful insights for florists looking to work more closely with local growers. Whether you're already sourcing British flowers or just starting to explore the possibilities, these tips are designed to make collaboration smoother, more rewarding, and ultimately better for your business and the planet.

Here’s a quick and easy guide to get you started:

From a flower farmer’s perspective:

Flower farms all work in different ways. Many will sell wholesale flowers by the mixed bucket which includes a range of focal flowers, fillers and foliage, as well as selling by the variety.

What information do growers need to know?

• The date you want the flowers for, so we can plan/grow/allocate accordingly.

• The end use of the flowers e.g. wedding, event or retail to help make sure stems are conditioned appropriately and cut at the right stage.

• The broad colour palette and any specific flowers that can’t be included (e.g. due to allergies).

• Stem length e.g. taller for large arrangements or shorter for bud vases.

Good to remember:

• Ask what is in season and available at the time of purchase to make sure you’re not missing out on the best blooms available.

• Stay in touch about your pre-ordered flowers to check on their progress and any possible substitutions. This will help you know what you need and feel confident in your purchases.

• Bring your own clean buckets when collecting flowers.

“One of the most rewarding parts of working with florists,” says Sarah, “is seeing our blooms used in such creative ways — it makes all the effort worthwhile.”

To find our more about the flowers offered by Sarah, please visit:

https://www.northandflower.co.uk/

By sourcing more British-grown flowers, florists can reduce their carbon footprint, support local businesses, and access beautiful, fragrant, freshly-picked blooms that haven’t flown halfway around the world.

Have you worked with a local flower farmer? We’d love to hear your top tip — drop it in the comments or tag us on Instagram @TheFreelanceFloristUK.