Flowers From The Secret Garden

26/07/2024

Fluffy urns? Why not. Contemporary, simple, elegant but kinda fun!

25/07/2024

f l u f f y c l o u d s

As a florist my first love is seasonal, Irish-grown flowers. BUT....I have a huge soft spot for Baby's Breath used alone, in volume, and in organic forms. It's back in vogue in a big way and is a very forgiving flower to work with as it's tolerant of being out of water and heat, unlike some other popular wedding flowers (I'm looking at you, hydrangea!!)
We used it here to create clouds above the tables, swipe to see the before pics.
Thanks to team flower, and
Venue

11/05/2024

What's better than a pair of urns? Two pairs of urns!!
Big impact and easily repurposed at your reception.

# churchflowers

06/05/2024

I'm so excited when we get preview pics really quickly from the photographer especially when you know they're going to be crackers, so this is just a teaser from Saturday's wedding in Kenmare from
Cannot wait to see the rest....

15/04/2024

B L O S S O M
Fleeting, drops everywhere, but I LOVE it!
April to June is by far my favourite season as a florist and grower. So many beauties that appear and are gone in the blink of an eye but are a joy to work with.
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15/04/2024

I have a weakness for deep, saturated tones, I think they bring drama and glamour to the florals. For this wedding we had lots of soft, pastel shades from butterfly ranunculus, tulips and apple blossom but then we revved it up a bit with darkest ranunculus and tulips.

All white flowers can look elegant and classic, but look how these colours are jumping out of the picture!

Beautiful images as ever by

27/03/2024

Remember blue skies??? I'm definitely struggling with this seemingly endless winter weather, snow showers this morning 😱😱😱😱
Going to try and focus on what's to come - long, sunny summer days ( when I'll probably be complaining that I it's too hot for the flowers!)
This was a beauty of a day, and where else would you want to be but West Cork.....

22/03/2024

From now until mid-summer is my favourite season as a grower, the fast succession of flowers that come and go in the blink of an eye. I look forward to each one, there's a comfort in their arrival but also a sense of melancholy, as I know that they will soon be gone for another year.
These precious magnolia blooms are from a tree that was a gift for my 30th birthday, and was dug up and unceremoniously moved from London to Ireland 22 years ago. It always flowers on or around my birthday, and rarely escapes a battering from the rain. The cherry is 'Shirotae' planted when my first son was born.
Flowers, trees, blossom, the markers of the passing of seasons and joggers of memories.

21/03/2024

19/02/2024

You'd be forgiven for assuming that this is a flower crown for a bride or flower girl, right? But...it's for a handsome dude called Philip, who totally rocked the look, swipe and swoon...😍💕🦮

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Venue

10/02/2024

I'm a sucker for a good black 'n' white photo, and generally it doesn't do much for the flowers, apart from when the theme is black and white.... Love these pics from New Year, featuring one of my favourite winter flowers, anemone 'panda'. 🐼
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06/02/2024

The joy of being a grower-florist is that there is always something delicate or quirky, or simply beautiful that I can cut and add to the bouquet that elevates it to another level.
For there was one of my early autumn favourites, gladiolus murielae which has nodding heads of the most sweetly scented blooms, as well as dahlias and dancing cosmos.
Thanks to for the beautiful images.

03/02/2024

Floral pillars/ broken arches, whatever you want to call them, continue to be popular and rightly so. They are a lot less formal than arches, and have a softness and a natural feel to them that I love.
Plus you get to reuse, and this pair adorned the marquee for the night.
Another pic from N & Ds wedding at the beautiful .
Planning
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Team on the day

02/02/2024

Your bouquet....it's such an important part of your day (admittedly I may be a little biased...). It should reflect your style and personality, not whatever is trending.
I've been really lucky to have worked alongside some amazing photographers, ones who really see the flowers and capture the details. I was blown away by these images of Niamh's bouquet from last summer, it was hard narrowing down the bouquet images to just these!! So thank you to for the wonderful images, there may be a few more from this wedding popping up on my feed ...

19/01/2024

🌼🌸🌺 Re-purposing Flowers 🌼🌿🌺

I get asked about repurposing flowers a lot, and I am a huge advocate for it - I hate to see waste and I like my couples to get the most out of their budget.
Some arrangements work better than others, so bear the following in mind:

⏲️ If you have a late ceremony and a bit of a drive from church to reception be realistic about what your florist can achieve. Remember, we can't clear the church until you have finished your pics, so chances are your guests will be at the reception venue before us.

🌸🌸🌸 Freestanding arrangements work best. Flower pillars, broken arches, urns etc. FINE. Full arch attached to a doorway. Not so much....
If the arrangements are in sunny and/ or windy spot they are going to look a little tired by time they hit the party... Also being loaded in and out of a van again potentially means broken stems. It will still look fab and we always repair what we can.

🌼🌺🌺 Don't ask your florist to start taking apart chuch arrangements to make new arrangements for the reception. No time, and frankly, no inclination. It'll look rushed and awful.

,🌺🌸🌼 take your florist's advice on this. We do this day in and day out so have a pretty good idea of what will fly and what won't.

Attached images are urns repurposed in reception, and garlands used on pew ends transferred to candelabras. Garlands are great to repurpose - they hold well out of water and are versatile, can be used on candelabras, as table runners, to decorate signs, cake table etc.

16/01/2024

I know I should probably be looking ahead to spring right now, but going to allow myself a little autumnal nostalgia so I can share these gorgeous pics from Claire & Kieran's wedding in Killarney last October. Full on autumnal colours, with one of my fave roses, 'Toffee', which fades beautifully.
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15/01/2024

Can't resist sharing a few more from Sayre and Sean's day at . It's one of my favourite venues, I'm a sucker for a grand old country house, especially if it's near the sea.... Bantry House has a real sense of opulence and is full of colour, so can take really strong florals. If you have a venue that has character, don't be scared to pump up the volume.
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Planning

Team on the day &

14/01/2024

Feel like these pics are totally in sync with the weather this week! Wintry whites, perfect for cold frosty days!
Thanks to the beautiful Ashling for sharing these snaps from

14/01/2024

Feel like these flowers are in sync with the weather this week - wintry whites, perfect for cold frosty days!
Thanks to the beautiful Ashling for sharing these snaps from

06/12/2023

Wreath production is in full flow now - we're running on caffeine, chocolate and my Spotify Christmas mix (sorry )
It's not too late to order, so DM or message on 086 1200 269.
We're taking orders for bouquets and fresh flower table arrangements - last date for orders is 20th Dec, last date for delivery is 22nd and 23rd for collection.

30/11/2023

I'll be adding some bits to the webshop in the next few days. Some floral, some deco pieces for your table. Loving these dinky bronze birds, going to have a play with them - I'm seeing brass candlesticks, foliage, berry......
We'll be making fresh flower table arrangements in a few different styles, will post pics as we go. This was a sample one with white flowers only.
DM for enquiries and orders.

30/11/2023

W i l d
Made this wreath today for fun, I love the idea of cooler shades of winter foliage - blues, silvers, greys. This had beautiful mossed branches and a lump of broken branch with the prettiest lichen. I think it would be perfect with tiny little lights threaded through it.
Too big for my front door so available to buy, collection or local delivery only.

20/11/2023

I still have a few spaces left for the wreath workshops - these are always great fun, you get to be creative, sing along to Xmas tunes, nibble on treats and take home a fabulous wreath for your front door - what's not to like!
Friday 1st Dec 11.30am to 1.30pm or 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Cost €65pp including all materials and refreshments.
DM or call to book.

18/11/2023

My Christmas Shop is open for pre orders for wreaths, garlands and bouquets. I will be adding one off items as they are made.
Bouquets are for collection and local delivery only (apart from the amarylis bouquet which can be boxed). Link to website in profile.
The Secret gardener.com
DM me if you have any particular requests, and please get your orders in ASAP, it's a busy month with weddings as well so we're trying to get organised !!

17/11/2023

I am trying hard to get my Christmas vibe on, but tbh, with everything that's going on right now it just doesn't feel right.
I need to make a wreath to get myself moving, so here's the deal - the first one isn't for sale. If you would like it, you just need to make a donation of €75 to and it's yours. They are an incredible organisation, and on the ground immediately in any crisis. It's a win win - you get to feel good and I will make you a gorgeous wreath as a thank you.

03/11/2023

🎄🎄WREATH WORKSHOPS 🎄🎄

It's that time of year again....
I'm running two Christmas Wreath Workshops again this year, so if you fancy a couple of hours of creative fun and more festive cheer than you can shake a stick at, why not give it a go. You'll be taking home your own wreath for the front door that's guaranteed to impress all visitors....
Friday 1st December
Temperance Hall Kanturk.
11am to 1pm and 7.30 to 9.30pm.
€65pp incl. All materials and refreshments. Booking with deposit essential as places limited.
DM or message on 086 1200 269.

25/10/2023

I generally don't post black and white images as I'm trying to show off the flowers, but.....seriously, would you take a look at this image? Such a beautiful shot from of from last December. Jesse, I seriously hope you have this framed and on a wall somewhere !
Loved this wedding, super elegant black and white theme (always on point), so I'll be sharing some more images, just trying to show restraint and not post everyone of them....

11/10/2023

More images from this dreamy wedding - this time repurposed flowers. We created these bowl meadows which were used to line the aisle, and then got a second outing as light and airy table centres, paired with cut glass candlesticks and pale blue tapers. Elegant and pretty, agree?
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Thanks to and for doing all the hard work whilst I Co-ordinated via video call (guess who got Covid???🙄)

10/10/2023

A moon gate is symbolic of birth and renewal so perfect as a backdrop for a wedding ceremony.
Working with to bring her vision to life was a delight, it's such a joy to work with colour and this palette was sooo pretty!
Dream team on the day was Ampai from and
Beautiful images courtesy of

10/10/2023

I'm obsessed with these dreamy images of and her bouquet from . As you know I'm all about the seasonal, Irish grown flowers when I can, but there's something about orchids that just makes me W E A K🥰
They are the ultimate flower of elegance and luxury.