Meadows and Mulberry

What have I chosen to grow? Molly Raven. Bishop of Canterbury White Onesta. Cornel Bronze. Mr Franz. Brown Sugar. Linda’s Baby. Cafe au Lait. Strawberry cream. Dahlia Tubers need potting up during March - April …so there is time to get sorted and not miss the opportunity. . It isn’t super difficult to do…I pot mine up exactly as shown in this @farmergracy video and their choice of tubers has been amazing. They also have a sale on at the moment…so you can trial growing them without having to spend a huge amount. . I grew them for the first time last year… In pots as in the video. Some I transferred to bigger pots to grow on. Others I put into the garden. Both lots grew beautifully and I was rewarded with some gorgeous blooms. . I didn’t get overwhelmed with blooms but enough to pop them into the wedding bouquets….& into vases on the top table. They are a real statement bloom so add real sparkle. .

Are you a florist…who loves sweet peas & would love to pop them in your wedding work? Is it too late to grow sweet peas? No it’s not!! . I loved growing them last year & have added more to my growing list this year. I have bought from: @englishsweetpeas @higgledygarden & I have seen them advertised with Sarah Raven, Chiltern seeds…so there are plenty of places to order from. . I always start them (hark at me sounding like a pro!!) in a container on damp kitchen paper with a damp piece over the top and then leave them on a window ledge for that light and warmth. . Once they show the green shoots that’s your cue to plant. They like long pots as they produce long roots. I found last year these recycled milk bottles were perfect. I hadn’t ordered specific long pots…so improvised. . This year I have a green house last year I didn’t, so I grew them in the bottles, taping them up and protecting them from the elements. . Is it easy to do? Well so far so good. I wouldn’t say it’s easy it requires time and watering, checking on them…& I won’t plant them out til after the last frost. And then comes the cutting…they are prolific at flowering and need constant cutting. This year I have chosen my colours more carefully!! They should fit all@of the weddings I have this summer. Last year I just had a go…didn’t really think colours…& had loads of flowers that I couldn’t use. . I had no shortage of people who loved me sharing them…who doesn’t love a sweet peas? . Drop me a message if you want any more info…happy to share my experience 🤍🤍🤍 . 🤍Kx

A quick update…after a very informative @gardenersworldtv that I watched last night. . Monty Don sharing his wisdom…what a gem… Background - I have been struggling with my tulips in pots outside - mice? Rats? Squirrels? Burrowing in and eating the bulbs. I had the idea to cover the pots with chicken wire …BUT Minty Don showed his pots with cuttings from the roses cross crossed all over …ingenious. . Thought I’d share … I know it might be a little late…but a gem for next year. . It’s always about learning in this growing game isn’t it? And improving for the next year. Happy Days. I’m on my way to @songbirdmeadow today. Very very excited. 💕💕🌷

RUN don’t WALK….to book your flowers & brownies for the 14th February with @bakes.eden & @meadowsandmulberry (We are limiting the numbers) . 20 Mini brownies 20 British tulips from @smithandmunson £35 ORDERS TO BE PLACED BY: Monday 10th February - 12pm Time enough for Tulips to be picked & Brownies to be baked SUPER FRESH 🌷💕💕 . To BOOK: 1 Order through Lisa at Eden Bakes and Brews at the van on a Thursday or a Friday 8am til 2pm OR 2 Call Karon at Meadows & Mulberry on 07879840053 to place your order and make your payment . COLLECTIONS: 🤍 Your flowers & brownies will be available to collect from Eden Bakes & Brews on the 13th & 14th of February 8am - 2pm 🤍 Need a different collection time? Please enquire when ordering. . We cannot wait to plan your surprise with you 🤍🤍🤍🌷 . 🤎🌷Karon & Lisa

Who knew it was International Tulip Day today? It’s actually a nod to the start of the tulip season in Holland . WE however, are shouting out about our gorgeous British tulips from @smithandmunson ….And cannot wait to share them with you on Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day. Not sure when that is? . @bakes.eden & @meadowsandmulberry are bringing the perfect gift idea to you for Friday 14th February . Want to know more? Details will ‘drop’ next week sooooooo check back with us. . Flowers & chocolate brownies is a pretty difficult combo to resist…. #browniepointsinthebag . 🤍Karon & Lisa . #valentinetreats #browniesandflowers #huttonrudby #huttonrudbyvillagehall #coffeevan #northyorkshireflorist #colaborationovercompetition #teessidebusiness #womeninbusinessuk #britishtulips #tuliplove

It’s been a real treat this week… 2 weddings to prepare for and unbelievably the flowers that I have grown this year are still flowering. . Up here in this part of North Yorkshire we haven’t had a frost yet. Unreal. . 1 - So a small bouquet created for a colleague’s daughter was the first on the list…the wedding sounded gorgeous…& the mood board divine. So Ii picked Cosmos, Salvia, Scabious, Sweet peas & Sweet Rocket. 2 - I’m excited for this one!! Catching up with @andrewheeleyweddings and completely embracing those Autumn colours!! With the gorgeous home grown Dahlia, Amaranthus & Sweet peas mixed in with imported flowers too. . Happy Weekend to you all 🤩 🤍Karon

I’m marvelling at how many flowers are still flowering - November and I still have such a variety of them. . But these sweetpeas have blown me away. I have been watching them for weeks meandering up the metal ….. which I can see from the garden room as I drink my tea in the mornings. They have been one of my favourite flowers this year & I have sooooo many ready for me to sow for next year. . As I picked them this afternoon I was drawn to smell them and was delighted the fragrance was as sweet as ever. . What have you got still flowering? 🤍Karon

Oooooh a wedding tomorrow…I’ve sorted my flowers out and I’m about to make the Bridal Bouquet!!! . I always plan them like this. I like to see what I’ve got, I prep them by taking off the greenery…&away I go. I always have others in a bucket…so if I want to put more of a particular flower in…then I can dive right in. . It’s very much about getting a feel for the bouquet and how I want it to look…& with that come quirky stems, a little bend in the stem here & there… some may not make the cut if they don’t look right 🙈 . How do you prepare when making yours? . #fridayflowers 🫶Karon

Cosmos - a gorgeous cut flower which is coming into its own in my patch. I sowed these a little later than a lot of my other annuals. . Reason? The slugs munched through my earlier seedlings, so I had to start again!! . Last year I was given a few seedlings to grow…& was really impressed with the variety picotee. It was always great in bouquets, the heads never drooped….in the past I have always been frustrated that the Cosmos I had didn’t stand up in the bouquet. Great in the vases/bowls/displays just not out of water. . And now I think I know why. I have found by looking at the centre of the cosmos and identifying those that are not pollinated plus by growing them I have obviously cut them earlier…& I have had more success this year. It’s good knowing what to look for. . I intend next season to sow them in succession so I have them flowering for longer. And I can highly recommend the ‘apricota’…it’s very pretty. Google it don’t take my word for it. And if, like me you love using locally grown flowers in your wedding work…have a go at growing is. It is easy to germinate. It just needs protection from the slugs!! . 🫶Karon x

Some of my favourites. Finding roses that are different shapes and sizes is always at the top of my list. And if they are fragrant…well that has to be a winner! . Check them out. Have you used any of these before? Got any beauts to add? . 🧡Karon x

We moved house in 2022. There was nothing in the garden - as you will see - & we have worked to make it work for me. A wedding florist, wanting grow some favourite flowers of varied colours to fit the vision of my wedding couples. . The landscaping we got a professional in @alexwebsterlandscapes but the planting was sorted by me. It was all ready to be planted up last July (2023) & I set about nurturing my perennials and sowing a selection of annuals. Which by the way I found tricky at times. So be prepared for ‘no shows’ and a bit of work potting on. I have learned loads in the first year which I will take forwards to the next year. 2025 is going to wonder what hit it 🤣 . I absolutely love the results. My own flowers in my couples Wedding Day flowers, bouquets, Bud bottles and vases…is amazing. Even more amazing…is Mother Nature pulls it all together if you follow the instructions 🤍 . I do have to let you know I have had some help from the best: Inspired in the first place by @hollybrookflowerfarm Helped massively with perennials and access to @darkstarplants & Jenny’s cutting flower farm And also to @laurennehopkinsflowers setting me off in my way with Georgie Newberrys book ‘The flower farmer’s year’ @commonfarmflowers . If you are thinking about adding locally grown flowers…or even flowers that you have grown…do it!! I’m pretty certain you’ll not regret it. We busy people always find time…. 🤍Karon x

Flowers galore!!! If you are thinking about using seasonal British flowers in your flowery work do it!!! . The flowers in this low urn for a table was absolutely filled with locally grown flowers AND from my ‘patch’ too!! Nothing was imported for yesterday’s floral display. . It’s sustainably created using chicken wire & the flowers have been picked by me. Firstly from @darkstarplants and then I have surveyed my ‘patch’ to see what compliments the bucket I had already collected. . If you saw my stories on Saturday…you’ll know I had a plan of pinks, lilacs…but that went out the window once I’d seen what Jenny had in the field…I’m drawn to the Bluplerum & Astilbe…so that went into the bucket first…hotly followed by the larkspur, delphiniums, roses, cornflower, sanguisorba alba, astrantia and the gorgeous achillea. . So next…. Off home to see what I could add: Loads of my rambling pink spray roses Sweetpeas Clematis More cornflowers Pittosporum Spirea foliage . And then to create. . I’m feeling pretty excited about the flowers to come from the patch for this Saturday…but also the flowers I will pick from @darkstarplants AND this week I have an order coming from @silvergreyfoliage …. A wedding this weekend filled with the most beautiful flowers!! . Happy Monday All 🤍Karon