Florrie and Fig

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Florrie and Fig

Florrie and Fig Micro flower farm growing beautiful seasonal blooms in the Scottish Highlands.

19/02/2025

I don't know everything about growing flowers. I do know that I'm still learning new things every season.

Maybe you'd like to know something about the flowers I grow? How to ask for a one off gift bouquet? Do I do bridal flowers? What makes locally grown flowers so special? What's my favourite invertebrate?

I'd love to know what you'd love to know about Florrie and Fig and the flowers I grow. It's a bit like Gardeners Question Time...

If you're specifically interested in growing flowers in the Highlands, I am teaming up with the Kilmallie Community Garden this Spring to run a workshop all about it. Watch this space for details!

Questions on the back of a postcard - comments and DMs also accepted.

18/02/2025

I know I rabbit on about how my bouquets are special harbingers of joy but don't take my word for it - one of my subscribers had these very lovely words to say about receiving her bouquets last year.

The last slide is the feedback I get from a lot of customers. Flowers are meant to be enjoyed in the moment, and we know their beauty doesn't last (that's why we appreciate then even more), but it wouldn't feel right to me if I didn't provide a bit of lasting value.

I'm probably revealing too much of my inner Morticia Adams here when I say I love my tulips when they look completely dead almost as much as when they're full of life.

Spring Subscriptions are available on my shop page - pop to my bio for the link.

15/02/2025

"How the heck do I get my mitts on flowers like this stunner, Clare?" I imagined hearing you ask.

What I didn't imagine are the insanely gorgeous flowers I grow here in Fort William. There are loads of ways to bring these beauties into your life (April to September).

Subscriptions
The only way to guarantee bouquets of loveliness. My subscribers get the pick of the bunch! Weekly or fortnightly deliveries of bespoke, hand-tied bouquets ready for you to plop into a vase or gift to your special someone. I run another one in Summer full of

My Spring Subscriptions are now selling on my shop page (Link in bio). Get in quick!

Give Me a Shout
I'm a very small scale grower, so I do have lulls at times when I'm waiting for a flush of flowers, but it's always worth asking me if I have something. Lucky for me, you all seem pretty in love with seasonality. I can't promise what kinds of flowers I'll have at any point in time, but I can promise scent, texture, a riot of colour and some grateful pollinators.

Glen Spean Market
Full of stalls from local producers and crafters, this bustling hub of all things foodie and fabulous. So many stalls sell out within the first hour or two so it's always worth coming for the start. Held once a month (on the 2nd Saturday) at the Auction Mart in Torlundy. Give them a follow so you can keep tabs on the dates.

Stronaba Produce Farm Shop
This fabulous Farm Shop opened in 2024 and had fast behind the place to get your locally produced goods outside of the Glen Spean Market. Veg, eggs, bread, gluten-free bakes, home cooked ready meals (Liz's cottage pie - *chef's kiss*), treats and more. My market style wrapped bunches will appear there whenever I have an abundance of flowers. Give them a follow to keep heck of their opening times.

Workshops
I'm currently beavering away organising my workshop dates for through the year. I'm so excited to share the joy of playing with flowers with everyone. The wreath workshops will of course be back at "you know when but we won't talk about it because it's only February."
Watch this space for announcements soon!

Any questions?

14/02/2025

Happy Valentine's.

13/02/2025

I can't hold off any longer. I have to sow some sweet peas seeds. They'll be ok - they like our cool climate here in the Highlands.

The name Henry Eckford probably doesn't mean anything to most people, but this Scottish man was responsible for breeding the big bloomed grandiflora sweet peas us flower farmers grow. He was born in Edinburgh in 1823 and worked in the gardens of big estates until he worked his way down to Shropshire. He was lauded as the King of Sweet Peas, and the public was whipped into a total frenzy for these scented lovelies in the late 19th century. There were even whole garden exhibitions devoted to just to sweet peas.

Sweet pea mania reached a fever pitch in 1911 when the then owner of the Daily Mail ran a competition offering £1000 for the best bunch of sweet peas grown by an amateur gardener. Guess how many entries they received (many in the post) - 38 000! They only had room to display 2500 of them at London's Crystal Palace. I can only imagine the amazing smell. (Another Scottish connection - 1st and 3rd prize were won by a reverend and his wife from the Scottish Borders).

I can't wait to be burying my nose in a handful of these frilly flowers. They are a definite winner for the garden and bouquets in my book.

10/02/2025

So incredibly exciting to see some signs of life in the garden with these delicate crocus. The first colours that pop really jump out at you don't they? I've spotted a load of daffodils budding up around the place too. Won't be long until the whole garden is technicolour.

I am nearly finished planting the bulbs I said I'd plant out before Christmas. 2 bags to go - the body is willing but the space to fit them in is dwindling! I really should plan where I'm going to put them before I buy them. I always manage somehow. Does anyone want to start a Plantaholics Anonymous with me?

06/02/2025

Dreaming of all the colour combos I'll get to create soon. I've kinda sorta forgotten a bit which varieties I bought and where I planted them, so I'm trusting that my past self bought lots of amazing varieties that go beautifully together.

It's extremely hard for me to not just buy pink varieties. Because...pink. 😆 I'm curious to know what everyone else's colour preferences are. As you can see from the above examples I don't usually go for bright red or yellow in my bouquets, but I absolutely would if enough people told me that was their favourite.

These are all bouquets I made for my subscribers last season. I wrap them in brown paper which is simple and beautiful enough for gifting but also recyclable. The subscription bouquets are different from week to week because the varieties I've chosen bloom at different times - you never know what beauties are going to pop up. I happily accommodate requests if I can.

If you'd like to know more about subscriptions or to purchase one you can pop to to https://florrie-and-fig.square.site/ to read how it all works. Or ask me!

So if you were faced with these bouquets, would you choose number 1,2, 3 or 4?

01/02/2025

The light is returning! I looked out the front windows this morning to admire the sunrise and realised it was light at 7.30am *cue happy dance*. In another couple of weeks there will be 10 hours of daylight - the magic number for getting some seeds started.

But before all the seed sowing starts I need to finish planting the last few bags of bulbs sitting in my hallway. I have an excuse - really I do!

19/01/2025

I've been seed shopping this week. Partly because I needed seeds and partly because our house has been full of lurgies and coughs and interrupted sleep. And noting gives me a much needed dopamine hit like seed shopping!

I'm getting a bit better at resisting the latest fancy additions to the catalogues, but I'm not entirely immune. I have to be a bit hard on myself and be realistic if it's something that will thrive in this climate, but I do allow myself a few experiments each year.

I'm itching to start sowing ALL the seeds but I know that the light levels aren't there to support the growth of young seedlings. Starting a tad later isn't a bad thing things will catch up.

Speaking of starting, I'm due to start another round of ranunculus some time soon. Now, these pretties are worth waiting for!

I'm hoping they'll be flowering in time for the latter bouquets of my Spring Subscription. 🤞

13/01/2025

Hi! I'm Clare, owner of Florrie and Fig. If you're new here, you're very welcome along for the flowery ride. In past years I've made January a time for introducing everyone to what I do and why I do it.

I'm about to enter my 4th growing season (whaaaat!) growing and supplying flowers for my local Fort William community.

Growing up in Australia, I definitely took it for granted how easily most things grew there. I must admit I was pretty naive when it came to growing flowers in the Highlands. I have young kids so I knew it would be a slow and steady plod to grow the flowers and the business when time allowed. It was (and still is) a big learning curve being self-employed for the first time and learning how to grow flowers in a climate that is extremely challenging. But I love a challenge. And the flowers do grow!

My plot has an incredible view of Ben Nevis, and I love that I've chosen a business that brings joy to the planet and to people. (I'll get on my soap box another day about all that).

Anything else you'd like to know about me? I'll be dishing the dirt on the hows, whys and wherefores in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. I'd also love to know what you love about flowers - introduce yourselves in the comments!

06/01/2025

One of my favourite things to do when visiting the in-laws in England is visiting their nearest garden centres. The larger ones have sections where they sell pets (fluffy and scaly) and playgrounds, so it’s a bit like taking the kids to a zoo where I can also indulge in a bit of bargain bulb shopping. Win/win!

I found it a lot easier saying no to a Guinea pig than saying ‘no’ to the promise of flowers. I couldn’t resist adding a few more tulips to my already bursting beds but the varieties they had on sale were totally gorgeous. Do I already have 1000 tulips planted? Yes. Did I need these extras? Probably not. Will they look gorgeous in a Spring bouquet? Abso-bloomin-lutely!

The easiest way to bring the colours of Spring inside is to sign up for a subscription, where I supply you with Fort William grown tulips and narcissus and anything else that is flowering beautifully at the time. To check out the options for Spring Bouquet Subscriptions here’s the link.

https://florrie-and-fig.square.site/

19/12/2024

Now that the solstice is almost upon us I'm allowing a bit of dreaming of sunny days. I can't wait to behold this view again.

I moved here from Australia nearly 21 years ago. When people ask me how I cope with the Fort William weather compared to Queensland, I tell them that yes, I miss the warm temps, but it's actually the short dark days in the winter that get to me the most.

I know I've said it before, but looking forward all the time - planning and planting and sowing and growing gives me that sense of hope and excitement for the colour to come. It gets me through the dark winter knowing the bulbs are all out in the rain, getting cold (just how they like it) and waiting for their moment.

That reminds me, I still need to finish planting the tulips...

(If you're a tulip lover, or lover of Spring flowers in general, my Spring Bouquet Subsciption is now live on the webshop.)

18/12/2024

I've drawn a line under wreaths and have to crack on with all the overdue planting that's been on hold through the December craziness...

It's common knowledge among flower farmers that polytunnel space is premium ground. So, it makes sense to use it for growing premium flowers.

Making the cut are:

Roses - the rain really does destroy these beauties so inside they come. I've planted 6 bare roots.

Ranunculus and Anemones - these stunners like cool weather for growing, but they're not so keen on being constantly wet. My attempts in the past have yielded mediocre results so I'm putting all my flower eggs in the tunnel basket to see if I can nail it this time around.

Tulips - while tulips love the cold and wet of aHighland winter, I'm hoping I can have flowers for Mother's Day and Easter 2025 by forcing then to bloom just that little bit earlier than they would outside. They are especially tasty to mice, so I'm attempting to deter them with a generous sprinkling of garlic and chilli flakes. 🌶 No disturbances as yet!

Hardy annuals - I've not had a lot of success with hardy annuals outside over winter so I'm experimenting with some in the tunnel. I've planted some out already and they've been down to about -5 a few times and amazingly, are still alive! The idea is that they bloom a little earlier that outside grown ones so that I have flowers in the gap between Spring flowers and the Summer flowers. When I have my mini city of polytunnels I'll know what works and what doesn't.

Rather than waiting until January I've launched my Spring Bouquet Subsciption in case you need a last minute gift for the flower lover in your life (or Happy Christmas to yourself? ).

http://florrie-and-fig.square.site/

12/12/2024

I hope no one wants to use the kitchen table today because it has been well and truly overtaken with dried flowers.

I'm making up loads of those dainty wee posies everyone loves so much for this Saturday's , and a few bigger ones as well. Do come early if you want your pick of the bunches as they tend to sell out.

See you there!

18/11/2024

🌲Wreath Preorders🌲 £40

If you'd like me to make you a lush festive wreath for your door then please pop onto the shop page and order before 29th November.

I use local foliage as much as possible and zero plastic (except the ribbon, which can be reused).

They'll be ready from the 1st week of December.

http://florrie-and-fig.square.site/

(If you fancy making your own with me pop onto Eventbrite and check out the info there - search Florrie and Fig)

06/11/2024

As a nod to Bonfire Night I've been potting on my own little planty fireworks today.

Ranunculus has a reputation of being a bit of a diva flower to grow. I'm more of a no-nonsense kind of grower, usually, but these stunners are worth a bit of faff, don't you think?

I'm planning on planting these in the polytunnel, where they will likely be high on the menu for the mice and voles. But unless they like them with chilli and garlic, hopefully they won't be gobbled.

It's quite a juggling act in my brain sometimes - forward planning for flowers for next year while still being mindful and enjoying the present season can be a bit jarring sometimes. The spring bulbs are still sitting in their boxes in the hallway. Every time I nearly trip over them, I imagine they are pleading with me to plant them. I know that's a job that can wait until this weird mild November weather gives way to proper cold, so I'm ignoring them for the time being. The dried flowers are calling louder this week though. Hopefully I'll have some more pics of the bouquets I'm bringing to the to show you tomorrow.

05/11/2024

Dried flowers are go!

I'll be at this Saturday's (Inside at the Auction Mart from 10am to 3pm) with these stunning British grown beauties.

I'll have these super-cute posies as well as bigger deluxe dried bouquets. Ibee been getting a few comments lately from prone who bought some of my dried flowers last year saying they look as good as when they bought them.

I'll be there with loads of other brilliant local makers and producers - where better to get a head start on gifts?

Plus, I'll have some tulip bulbs for you to pop into the garden now it's cooling down a bit.

FYI - my wreath workshops are filling up!

Workshop 1 - limited tickets
Workshop 2 - SOLD OUT!
Workshop 3 - good availability

Head to the link in my bio or stories for the details.

Premade wreath orders opening soon.

Looking forward to chatting with you all at the market!

24/10/2024

Some pink frills for you this windy Thursday. These asters were sown at the end of June when I found out I had the use of the polytunnel. Most didn't come to much, mainly because in my excitement, I packed everything in way too close. Plus I stupidly planted the sunflowers on the sunny side which meant they shaded everything else when they grew 8 feet high. Also, can someone please remind me not to grow nasturtiums in the tunnel - I left one plant this summer and it grew like a freaking triffid. The bees loved it, but it too shaded everything else. It dropped seeds everywhere, too.

I started clearing the polytunnel beds today in readiness for the planting of the ranunculus and anemones and hardy annuals. It's all a big gamble with the weather - if we have a freezing cold winter they might all die. But if we don't, there will be lots of flowers to follow the tulips.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Address

Camaghael
Fort William
PH337

Website

https://linktr.ee/Florrieandfig

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"Can you grow flowers in Fort William?" I was asked that question a number of times when I told people I was starting a flower farm here in the Scottish Highlands. And the answer is a resounding 'Yes'. Fort William has a temperate oceanic climate. Our summers are mild, our winters are also mild (compared to places on a similar latitude like Alaska or Russia) and we have a lot of damp, cloudy weather. I can't grow heat loving plants, but things like peonies and tulips thrive in the cooler weather. I used to lament the lack of warm summers but I've learned to lean in to growing the plants that love these conditions. And I'm saving up for a city of polytunnels... #flowerfarmerama @theflowerfarmingbusinessschool #scottishhighlands #fortwilliam #flowerfarmerflorist #flowersgrowninscotland #grownnotflown