British Florist Association

07/03/2025

🎟️ Tickets are now on sale! 🎟️

Our 2025 BFA Hub Meetings and UK Florist of the Year competition heats are officially open for booking!

If you’ve been eagerly awaiting this, now’s the time to grab your spot - whether you’re joining us to connect with fellow florists or stepping into the competition arena.

Don’t miss out! Head to the Latest News section on our website now to book your ticket.

https://britishfloristassociation.org/for-the-industry/hub-meetings-and-uk-florist-of-the-year-2025/

06/03/2025

📖 World Book Day…for florists!🌿

If there’s one book every florist should have on hand, it’s the Farewell Sympathy Guide by OASIS® Floral Products (UK) , created in partnership with the BFA to support florists in designing meaningful, bespoke funeral tributes.

Packed with inspiration, from classic to contemporary designs and with sustainable options, it’s the perfect resource to guide conversations with clients and help bring their vision to life.

And here’s a the best bit for BFA members - you get 10% off! 🙌 Head to the Members Area for your discount code, then grab your copy via the Oasis website.

📍 Digital, printed & image packages available!

👉 Who else has a go-to floristry book they love? Drop your recommendations below 👇

https://britishfloristassociation.org/oasisfloralproducts/

05/03/2025

💐Meet Alison, this month's member spotlight and the creative force behind Mad Lilies an award-winning flower shop based in Banstead known for its stunning, seasonal florals and unmistakable sense of community.

Alison’s journey into floristry wasn’t a straight path. With a background in sales and marketing, it wasn’t until reminiscing about her late mum and grandmother - who ran a florist shop together in Belfast - that she felt the floral pull. In 2013, she took the leap, becoming the proud custodian of Mad Lilies. From the moment she walked through the door, she knew it was ‘the one’.

More than a decade later, Mad Lilies is thriving, combining stunning seasonal flowers with carefully curated homeware as part of their new Mad Lilies at Home range alongside their award-winning floral design arm Mad Lilies Weddings. But at the heart of it all? The people.

💬 “I'm most proud of the team and everything we've built together. It’s been a massive team effort, with every single person bringing their unique skills, creativity, and passion to the table. Watching how everyone has played their part in growing the business into what it is today fills me with pride and gratitude. It’s truly a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision.”

As a BFA member, Alison values being part of a community that supports and champions florists across the UK. "It’s fantastic to have a body that not only represents us but also supports, inspires, and elevates florists across the country. Together, we’re helping to shape the future of floristry."

👀 Drop a 💐 in the comments if you’ve been inspired by Alison and the Mad Lilies team!

📷 Voyteck London Wedding Photographer

04/03/2025

Did you see it? 👀

Our latest Sustainability Newsletter is packed with insights to help you make greener choices without compromising on creativity or profit.

💡 Inside the latest issue:
🌱 The Future of Floral Foam – a deep dive into the latest sustainable alternatives hitting the market.
💐 Sustainable Mother’s Day Ideas – how to offer eco-friendly options this peak season.
💰 Pricing for Profit & Planet – making sustainability work for your business, financially and ethically.

Missed the newsletter? Don’t worry - you can sign up via our website to receive future editions and you can catch up via our Latest News - Sustainability section.

👀 Here's a sneak peek at what Debbi, our Sustainability Officer, has been exploring when it comes to Floral Foam:

🌱 New game-changing alternatives are emerging, including OASIS® Floral Products (UK) Renewal™, Phoam Labs, and Agra-Wool Sideau® - each offering different benefits from plant-based to compostable options

♻️ Understanding certifications like TÜV AUSTRIA OK Biobased & OK Compost can help florists choose genuinely sustainable products.

The floral industry is evolving - and sustainability is at the forefront. Read the full newsletter to stay ahead & make informed choices.

📖 Catch up now 👉 https://britishfloristassociation.org/sustainability-news/

💬 What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to sustainability in floristry? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

03/03/2025

The March Issue of the BFA Magazine is Here!

Florists, keep an eye on your post because the latest issue of the BFA magazine is landing on doorsteps this week - and it’s packed with industry insights, inspiring interviews, and expert advice!

🌟 Inside this issue:
📸 Meet our cover star, Gábor Nagy – a floral artist pushing boundaries with his unique designs.
💍 Up Close & Personal with C Taylor's Floristry – winners of BFA Wedding & Event Florist of the Year!
💆‍♀️ Workplace Wellness – essential tips to protect your body during the busiest seasons.
🌷 Spring Bulb Inspiration – creative ideas to showcase these seasonal beauties.
💡 AI in Floristry: Game-changer or gimmick? We explore how tech fits into our emotion-led industry.
📆 Save the dates! Bloom Rooms & Hub Meetings you won’t want to miss.

Whether you’re looking for business insights, creative inspiration, or expert advice, this issue has something for every florist!

📖 All BFA and IPF Members receive a copy as part of their membership, but you can also purchase a subscription via our Shop.

💬 What's piqued your interest? Let us know in the comments 👇

https://britishfloristassociation.org/marketplace/bfa-products/bfa-magazine-subscription/

02/03/2025

✨ HUB Meetings Are Back for 2025! ✨

We’re thrilled to announce that the BFA HUB Meetings are hitting the road again this summer, after a fantastic reception in 2024...and this year we're coming to FIVE locations 👇

These informal gatherings are the perfect opportunity to:
🤝 Connect with florists from across the UK
🤔 Learn more about your trade association
🤗 Join discussions that shape the future of our industry
💪 Flex your competition muscles in the regional heats for the UK Florist of the Year and UK Florist of the Year Newcomer competition. Competition schedules are available to download NOW 🏆

📅 Save the Dates:
APRIL 27th - London, Flowervision - Flowervision London
MAY 11th - Bristol, Flowervision - Flowervision - Bristol Ltd
MAY 18th - Sheffield, The Victoria
JUNE 8th - Northern Ireland, CAFRE
JUNE 22nd - Glasgow, Cardonald Parish Hall

Tickets will be available to buy from next week 👀 Watch your inbox!

You can discover lots more over in our Latest News > https://britishfloristassociation.org/for-the-industry/hub-meetings-and-uk-florist-of-the-year-2025/

👏 A big thank you to our HUB Meeting Sponsors: Flowervision Group, Howden, Strelitzia Software , The Paper Studio and CUDDLES TIME.
👏 And to our amazing competition sponsors: OASIS® Floral Products (UK)

We can’t wait to see even more of you there this year! Let us know in the comments if it's a date 👍

The BFA are so excited to be in continuing our HUB meetings for florists around the country for 2025 and we hope you'll all come out to mingle, chat and connect with us so that we can continue to build a strong community together for the future. We will run 5 meetings across the country with each lo...

28/02/2025

🔊 March Bloom Room: Mother’s Day Members Chat!

Mother’s Day is one of the biggest dates in the floristry calendar - so let’s talk about it! Join us on Monday, March 3rd at 7pm for this month’s Bloom Room, where BFA Retail Director, Donna Cornish, will be joined by Karen Lindsay from Flowers by Karen Kilmarnock for a real talk session on all things Mother’s Day.

What to expect:
✅ Insider insight into planning for one of the busiest peak periods of the year
✅ Expectations vs. reality - how are florists tackling 2025’s challenges?
✅ Preparation tips to help you stay ahead of the rush
✅ Open discussion - bring your ideas, share your wisdom, and pick up new strategies from fellow florists

This is a relaxed, members-only chat designed to help you make the most of Mother’s Day. Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas or just want to hear from your peers, this session is for you!

🗓️ When: March 3rd at 7pm via Zoom
⭐ BFA/IPF Members only
🔗 Registration details landing in inboxes soon!

27/02/2025

🚀 30 Content Ideas for March – So You Never Run Out of Things to Post!

March is packed with lots of opportunities for us - seasonal flowers, national awareness days, and of course, the big one… Mother’s Day! But when you’re busy running your business, finding the time to plan your content can feel impossible.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with Queen Bee - Marketing for Florists, to bring you 30 days of content prompts, designed to keep you visible, engaged, and driving sales in a way that feels natural and strategic.

What’s inside?
✅ A mix of entertaining, educational & sales-driven posts – planned to build momentum towards Mother’s Day
✅ Engaging ideas to spark conversations & connect with your audience
✅ Timely marketing prompts to encourage customers to buy when it matters most
✅ A weekly email plan so you can stay front-of-mind in inboxes too!

Whether you’re prepping for Mother’s Day or simply want to show up consistently in March, this guide will help you post with purpose, attract more customers, and make marketing easier.

📖 Read the full blog here 👉 https://britishfloristassociation.org/uncategorised/30-days-of-content-for-march-your-countdown-to-mothers-day-is-here/

Give us a thumbs up in the comments if you find this useful 👍

As florists we’re creative, busy, and full of ideas – but finding the time to sit down and figure out what to say in our marketing? That’s the real challenge. As many of us countdown to one of the biggest sales periods of the year – Mother’s Day – we turn to our Industry Partner, ... Rea...

26/02/2025

As one of our UK Florist of the Year 2024: Newcomer finalists, read what Mandy Popplecot Flowers had to say about her experience 👇

"Floristry competitions have been a crucial part of my journey and I would encourage any florist looking to develop their career to get involved. Competing has not only helped me grow professionally but has also introduced me to supportive an inspiring community of likeminded people.

"I particularly enjoyed attending the BFA Hub Meeting at Bristol Flower Vision which was a truly uplifting and enjoyable day having a local event like this was invaluable. If you're considering competing, starting with the heats at your local Hub meeting is a brilliant first step. The finals at FleurEx was an absolutely incredible experience, taking part as a competitor has been invaluable for building my confidence as well as being key for my personal development as a florist and an artist. The event was extremely well organised, especially the competitions and demonstrations. The venue was amazing with a welcoming atmosphere. It was great to connect with the other competitors, florists and members and to be such part of a vibrant community.

"Whilst preparing for the competition took a lot of commitment and hard work every moment was truly worth it. I learned so much. Being a member of the British Florist Association is important to me because of their prestige, strong values and commitment to the industry's future. If you are wanting to develop your career, competitions are the perfect way to push your standard."

We'll be releasing more information about the UK Florist of the Year competitions VERY soon and the competition heats will take place at our Hub Meetings between April and June across the UK.

Are you considering entering this year?? Give us a 👍 in the comments.

25/02/2025

The secret to longer-lasting bouquets? You’re looking at it 👀

This month we’re shining our spotlight on BFA Corporate Member: Tesselaar Alstroemeria

If you’re looking for a reliable, high-quality flower that lasts, Tesselaar Alstroemeria should be on your radar. With over 30 years of expertise, this family-run grower is dedicated to producing exceptional alstroemerias - flowers that not only create spectacular arrangements but also offer great value for your business.

➡️ Why Choose Tesselaar Alstroemeria?
✔️ Long-lasting blooms – Alstroemerias have an impressive vase life, giving customers flowers they’ll enjoy for longer.
✔️ Year-round availability – With a stable, consistent supply, you can depend on them in every season.
✔️ Sustainably grown – Lower greenhouse temperatures, biological pest control, and a commitment to reducing their environmental footprint make them a greener choice.
✔️ Tailored to florists’ needs – Whether you need bulk stems, pre-packaged bunches, or branded sleeves, Tesselaar works to your specifications to make ordering seamless.
✔️ Certified for quality – you can trust their flowers meet the highest industry standards.

Want to discover more head over to Tesselaar Alstroemeria and give them a follow. You can also learn more over on their website > https://www.tesselaar-alstroemeria.nl/en/ #

24/02/2025

⬇️ Joseph’s Journey to the World Cup – February Update! ⬇️

We’re back with another update from Joseph Massie as he prepares to represent the UK at the World Cup Floral Art 2025, supported by Florismartdirect 🙌

This month brings a big step forward in Joseph’s journey as he finally gets access to more key details from the competition organisers at International Florist Organisation FLORINT.ORG.

Here’s what he had to say 📢

"We’ve an exciting month in JM HQ, as the second tranche of information we’ve been waiting for from Florint drops this month. Florint have a meticulous schedule, which releases batches of information for competitors every other month or so, and so to date, I’ve only been able to really begin designing Task One (a rather camp giant Tulip vase) and Task Five (a headpiece inspired by the Dutch fashion designer, Iris van Herpen).

Now, after what seems like an actual ice age, I can begin working on Task Four – the hand-tied bouquet – as they’ve finally released the specially designed vase that my bouquet must complement in its rosy gold hues… so it’s back to the sketching pad we go, albeit with rather more aplomb indeed!"

👀 We love getting this behind-the-scenes insight into Joseph’s creative process, and we’ll be following along each month as his designs come to life! Got any words of encouragement or questions for Joseph? Drop them in the comments 👇👇

23/02/2025

🔦 Member Spotlight: Elizabeths the Florists

This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Elizabeths the Florist's, a business rooted in tradition, passion, and five generations of family dedication.

Originally founded in 1948 by Elizabeth herself, the business remains family-run to this day, with Kevin Plumstead - the third generation - at the helm. Kevin grew up in the industry, starting out in the nurseries and making deliveries, before taking over in 2000. Today, Elizabeths has grown into a team of over 25 talented florists, all upholding the same high standards set from day one.

Meet the team behind the blooms:
💐 Lesley – Florist Manager, keeping the workroom running smoothly and the team calm during the busiest moments.
🌿 Luke – National award-winning garden designer and builder, transforming blank spaces into stunning landscapes, while also lending a hand in the florists.
👰 Hollie – Senior florist and wedding specialist, handling everything from consultations to delivery, treating every wedding as if it were her own.

And the fifth generation is already in training - Belle (9), Ralph (5), and Penelope (9 months) are keeping the floral legacy alive!

Elizabeths prides itself on being Norfolk’s longest-running family florist, creating beautiful fresh flower arrangements for every occasion - birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, corporate events, and more. They believe in the power of flowers to bring joy at life’s highest moments and comfort during the hardest times.

Kevn said: "Being part of the BFA for many years means being part of a respected, professional association that supports the floristry industry."

What a fantastic story across the generations. We’re proud to have Elizabeths the Florists as our Member Spotlight this month.

Want to find out more about becoming a BFA or IPF Member? Visit our website https://britishfloristassociation.org/member-benefits/

21/02/2025

👀 Ever wondered what it’s really like to enter a floristry competition?

Whether you’ve considered entering but weren’t sure where to start, or just want an **inside look** at what goes into preparing for a competition, our latest blog is for you!

We recently caught up with UK Florist of the Year 2024, Joseph Massie, and UK Florist of the Year: Newcomer, Kirsty Noble BLÜM Floral - Bolsover, following their Bloom Room at the beginning of the month, where they shared their experiences, insights, and advice on competing.

🌟 Inside the blog:
✔️ What made Joseph & Kirsty enter their first competition
✔️ How competing has shaped their careers and businesses
✔️ Essential tips for prepping (and staying calm!) on competition day
✔️ How to get the most out of the judging criteria
✔️ Why competing is about more than just winning

If you’re thinking about entering the UK Florist of the Year heats at our upcoming BFA Hub Meetings, this is a must-read! Their experiences will give you confidence, insight, and maybe even that final push to go for it. We'll be revealing all the details for this competition VERY soon so watch this space!

Read the full blog here 👉 https://britishfloristassociation.org/for-the-industry/why-compete-in-floristry-competitions/

💬 Are you considering entering a floristry competition this year? Let us know in the comments!

19/02/2025

Florists and their pets…

It's a special kind of dynamic. Whether they’re snoozing in the sun while you’re knee-deep in orders or getting way too interested in your ribbon stash, they’re always there, doing their bit!

So, ahead of National Love Your Pet Day we thought we’d share some photos of the BFA team’s trusty sidekicks:

🐾 Benji – Kate’s greyhound, mostly found sleeping, occasionally supervising.
🐶 Wendy’s dog – dedicated desk buddy, insists on ‘helping’ with emails from her lap.
🐶 Hoot – Jo’s black lab, expert at looking hopeful near snacks.
🐱 John’s cat – Pretends to be indifferent but somehow always in charge.
🐕 Angela’s dog – Loves a walk, not so keen on spreadsheets.

We know lots of you have pets keeping you company in the shop or studio, so let’s see them! Drop a pic in the comments or give a shout out to your ’helpful’ pets 👇

You can 'Add Yours' over in today's Story too 📸 We'd love to see if you have anything out of the ordinary....a tulip loving tortoise or a gerbera eating gerbil perhaps?!

18/02/2025

Meet Your Marketing Wing Women 🐝

Marketing your floristry business can feel overwhelming - especially when it’s all on your shoulders. That’s why we’re proud to introduce you to our Industry Partners, Jane & Helen from Queen Bee - Marketing for Florists

For over 10 years, they’ve helped florists just like you take control of their marketing - from mastering social media and email marketing to creating content that actually converts. Whether it’s building your email list, navigating Instagram’s ever-changing algorithm, or figuring out what to blog about this month, they’ve got your back.

With free resources, expert blogs, and florist-focused marketing courses, there’s something for every stage of your business. ➡️ Plus, BFA Members get an exclusive 15% discount off their signature course, Own Your Marketing 👉 Join the waiting list now and be the first to know when enrolment opens this Spring!

Curious to know more? Follow We are the Queen Bee and head over to their website to sign up for free tips, tricks & actionable strategies > https://www.wearequeenbee.com/

17/02/2025

🎟️ Fancy a free pass to the ultimate floristry get-together?

We’re excited to announce that the BFA Hub Meetings are back for 2025 – and we’re giving one of you a FREE ticket! It is Random Acts of Kindness Day after all ❤️

If you attended last year (or heard the buzz), you’ll know that Hub Meetings are THE place to connect, learn, and be part of something bigger in the floristry world. Whether it’s the inspiring discussions, the friendly networking, or the thrill of competition, these gatherings are packed with value – and we want to treat one lucky florist to a free spot at their nearest event!

👀 Taking place between April and June in 5 locations across the UK, there’s sure to be one near you! We’ll be announcing all the details very soon – so this is your chance to grab a spot before anyone else!

Want to win a FREE place? Here’s how to enter:
❤️ Like this post
👇 Tag a floristry friend in the comments who you’d love to bring along!
➡️ Make sure you’re following us so you don’t miss out!

Bonus entry: Share this post to your stories and tag us!

Winner announced Monday 24th February 🙌

Terms and Conditions:
• Open to BFA UK Mainland Members, aged 18 or over.
• One winner will be chosen at random from entries on our Facebook and Instagram accounts
• Winners must respond to a DM from the BFA within 72 hours to claim their prize. We will NOT send you a link or ask for payment.
• Prize is non-transferable. We reserve the right to change or modify the prize
• Competition is in no way affiliated with Meta

16/02/2025

Meet John, our BFA Board Member 👋

John joined the BFA Board in October 2023, driven by a passion for shaping the future of floristry. With over 11 years in the industry, he’s seen first-hand the changes happening within the BFA and knew he wanted to be part of the movement toward a stronger, more united floristry community.

Bringing people together is at the heart of what John does. Recently, he’s been the driving force behind our Wholesaler Meetings - connecting floristry wholesalers to collaborate, learn, and create a better way forward for everyone in the industry.

By day, John oversees finance and business development at Tom Brown Wholesale Ltd. By night (and most weekends!), he’s sharing his expertise at events up and down the country, always championing floristry with his trademark enthusiasm.

🎥 You may have even spotted him on BBC’s Countryfile recently! Did you see it?? Let us know what you thought in the comments 👇

When he’s not immersed in the floral world, you’ll find John running, hitting the gym, or playing rugby 🏉 - his go-to ways to reset, recharge, and keep a clear head.