Flowers by the Gate, Claypole (2025)

30/03/2025

💐MOTHERING SUNDAY💐

Today we have celebrated and remembered the mother or mother figures in our lives and whatever form that took whether it was 5 short minutes from your tiny infant, a day out with your family, or a day of peace and quiet enjoying the simple things I hope you were made to feel very special.

I know lots of you were lucky enough to be treated to one the fantastic cake and flowers gifts from the and I suspect wasted no time eating the gorgeous bake but keep them topped up water you should continue to enjoy the flowers well into next week! 💐

25/03/2025

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🌸 BUTTERFLY RANUNCULUS – A Story of Patience & Surprise! 🌸

Not , but I have some catching up to do… and these beauties deserve a moment! 💕

✨ Here’s my Butterfly Ranunculus journey: ✨

🍂 Autumn 2023 – I bought 12 corms from the lovely Zoe at They were huge compared to my usual Ranunculus Elegance… and much more expensive! I followed Zoe's concise instructions and they quickly began growing 🙏

🌿 Winter – Big, lush plants went into the ground, protected from frost. So far, so good!

🌧️ Spring 2024 – Disaster! Wet weather hit hard. All my ranunculus struggled, and these precious ones barely made it. I managed to harvest just enough for a bridal bouquet… and then, gone. No leaves. Nothing. 💔

🪻 Months later – While clearing the bed, I found regenerated corms! 🎉 I dried them, split some, and ended up with 15!

🍁 Autumn 2024 – I think you know what happened here, I planted them again, nurtured them in pots moving them in and out of the green house and now they are flowering in the complete range of colours I purchased originally, finally, today… I planted them out! 🌱 Was it a wise move? Let's wait and see!

Moral of the story? There’s always something happening underground—you just have to trust nature and be patient. 🌎

💬 Do you grow Butterfly Ranunculus? Any tips for keeping them happy? Share your experience in the comments.💭

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20/03/2025

💐TULIP TIME💐

💐As our promise is to always use locally grown flowers and our own tulips are not quite ready we are sourcing our Mother's Day tulips from long standing family growers in Lincolnshire,
The problem is there are just so many beautiful varieties to choose from it's taken me a little longer than planned!

💐If you would like flowers for Mother's Day please head to our website to find out more or give me a call.

💐Orders close - TUESDAY 25TH MARCH

09/03/2025

We’re thrilled to announce that Mothering Sunday (March 30th) marks the start of our cut flower season! 💐

It’s still early in the season, and while our flowers are growing beautifully, we may source more from our trusted local growers to ensure every bouquet is fresh, sustainable, and truly special.

🌷 CHOOSE YOUR PERFECT GIFT 🌷

🌸 OPTION 1 – £45
A beautifully arranged gift-boxed bouquet in a vase with a personalised card, delivered within our local delivery zone.
Order via our website.

🎂 OPTION 2– £15 (pic 2)
Cake & Flowers! A collaboration with Kate & Olivia : a gorgeous pink double cup holder featuring fresh flowers and an amazing cake!
Order and collect from .

🌸 OPTION 3 – £20 (pic 3)
A simple jam jar arrangement, with a cute personalised iced Gonk from the talented Helen at . Presented in a gift bag.
Collection only from my stall. Contact me to order.

🌸 PRE-ORDER ONLY 🌸
All orders must be placed by TUESDAY 25th MARCH so we can create something truly special for you!

Thank you for supporting local flowers, small businesses, and the incredible women in our lives. We can’t wait to share all this spring loveliness with you! 💛

14/02/2025

💐FAVOURITE FLOWERS FRIDAY 💐
ANTIRRHINUM - Snap - Dragons
I really do love these beautiful blooms and every year I try a new variety but I always stick with a few all time faves. Here is a 'snap' shot into the world of Snap Dragons

🪻They are native to the Mediterranean climes but surprisingly hardy
🪻They are bee friendly, the bumbles love nothing more than popping inside the dragons mouth to feast on nectar
🪻There are many cultivars to choose from but I grow the taller varieties for cutting
🪻They can suffer from 'rust' which unfortunately can run through your whole crop attacking the leaves and stems resulting in a very sad plant and few blooms.
🪻I sow mine in autumn and again in January
🪻This year I am growing ...
Admiral White
Costa Silver
Madame Butterfly Ivory
Madame Butterfly Pink
Madame Butterfly Bronze ( all time fav )
Opus Lavender
Mixed tall - RUST RESISTANT ( Trail)
Apple Blossom

12/02/2025

🌿 Update from the Gate - Flower Availability! 🌿

It’s a cold, grey February day, so let’s take a moment to dream of warmer days, blooming flowers, and our opening times. ☀️🌸
We’ve welcomed new followers recently and had a flurry of phone calls, so here’s an update from the gate on when and how you can buy our locally grown blooms again. 💐✨

💍 Wedding Enquiries – We’re ALWAYS open for wedding bookings! If you're wondering how to fill your wedding with locally sown and grown flowers, get in touch—I’d love to help! I aim to reply within 48 hours.

💐Flower Club - Subscription Flowers, there is no better time to subscribe for a season full of flowers to your door!

🌸 Fresh Flowers – Our season begins with Mother’s Day (March 30th), available on a PRE-ORDER ONLY basis. Stay tuned for more details soon!

🌱 April – June – We’ll continue working by pre-order only, alongside our wedding & funeral florals. And don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten Easter—we’ll have something a little extra for this special time of year!

🌞 July – September – This is peak season! Expect pre-orders, last-minute flowers, Friday Flowers from the stall, and more!

🌿 Why pre-orders? Because we grow with nature—light levels, temperatures, rain, and sunshine all determine when our flowers bloom. 🌍💚 We keep our footprint small by NEVER importing, but we do work with trusted local growers just a few miles down the road to bring you the freshest flowers. Ordering ahead allows us to pick just for you—straight from the field to your bouquet.

We’re truly grateful for your patience & support, and we’re sorry when we have to say ‘no’ to flower requests—but trust us, the wait will be worth it. 🌸✨

24/01/2025

💐 FAVOURITE FLOWERS FRIDAY💐
SWEET PEAS - Lathyrus odoratus

It is two years since I last posted about these favourite flowers of mine andy journey with them continues. The scent carries me back to my childhood when my dad grew them and fondly called them 'sweepies' and I'm obsessed with the delicate but strangely robust flowers that are native to Sicily, Southern Italy and the Aegean Islands.

There are also many varieties for different purposes, I like to grow the 'Spencer' Variety which have longer stems and are ideal for cutting. All that said I almost didn't grow them in 2024 because from a practical point of view they are time consuming - they need tying in ( constantly ) cutting ( daily ) and you can spend a whole lot of time just sitting and drinking in their beauty!

Fortunately, a last minute pang of sadness at a summer without them and some booked weddings they would be perfect for I sowed them and I was so glad I did, it was one of the best seasons ever!

The 'sweepies' for 2025 are looking lush in the green house and I'm about to sow my second batch now. It's always tricky choosing the colours but we have pale blues, pinks and whites along with raspberry pink and navy!
I CAN'T WAIT!
Do you grow sweet peas ?

23/01/2025

ANEMONE
Anemone - Windflower from the Ranunculee family (again)
🌸🌸🌸
I grow the anemone variety with super long stems that are perfect for cut flowers, especially spring bouquets! The few I grew in 2024 were corms left over from the pervious season and once established I kept them in pots and they just kept giving, week in, week out the thick stems topped with a frilly collar and bud, nestled between the many leafed stems unfurl themselves from the soil, slow at first but then almost fast enough to see with the naked eye and the colour... just stunning!
🌸🌸🌸
Anenomes come in many forms but with the purpose of growing for cut flowers the Mintral and Gailee varieties are my favourites along with the wonderful Japanese anemone that flowers much later in the year.
🌸🌸🌸
Are you an anemone lover? what varieties do you grow?

17/01/2025

💐 FAVOURITE FLOWERS FRIDAY 💐
COSMOS - Bipinnantus
Cosmos belong to the Asteraceae family, the huge group of flowers that also include the daisy and sunflower amongst many others.
There are perennial forms and annuals, I grow the latter having tried many different varieties over the years, some more successful than others.
🌸🌸🌸
My favourites to grow are ...
Purity - white
Dazzler - cerise pink
Picottee - pink stripe
Apricot lemonde - pale lemon with pinky centre
Apricotta - a huge hit with florists over recent years but at my windy location often ends up looking ragged, so although I love it, I don't grow it.
🌸🌸🌸
Ones I can't wait to try ...
Rubenza - deep red
Kiiro - pale lemon
And a lovely orange one recommend by that I can't remember the name of right now.
🌸🌸🌸
It's worth remembering what you are growing cosmos for before you buy your seeds as some varieties grow a lot shorter than others and are not so suitable for cut flowers, so check your packets first!
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What is your favourite cosmos ?

24/12/2024

Today was all about a Christmas Eve dog walk in Robin Hood's stomping ground after a very 'family' busy few months.
🎄🎄🎄
Everyone would like to wish all our friends, fellow growers, florists and customers new and old a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful and happy New Year .
🎄🎄🎄
We will be back with flowers very soon. Keep following for more details of what's to come in 2025 .

smallbusiness

02/12/2024

🌲 CHRISTMAS WREATHS🌲
Thank you to everyone who has ordered a wreath from me. 🙏
The foraging has been done - with huge thanks to my neighbouring farms and we kicked off December yesterday by making some family wreaths and I will be making up your orders over the next few days ready for collection this week.
🌲🌲🌲
Our wreaths are all made using local seasonal foliage, a few dried flowers and seed heads along with your usual christmas embellishments onto a willow base fixed with twine. This means you can remove any trimmings to re- use and compost the rest or return it to me and the willow base can be used again next season.
🌲🌲🌲
If you want a wreath too, it's not too late, I have enough foliage and just enough time for a few more but you will have to be quick!! Go to my website to find out more or just DM me.

19/11/2024

🌲WREATH TIME 🌲
I know you are wondering if I am doing wreaths this year, well the answer is YES! However just a limited amount so if you would like one ready made to hang in your door or gate then please get in touch

Orders by-

🌲🌲🌲Sunday 24th November.🌲🌲🌲

Collect from -

🌲🌲🌲Saturday 30th November.🌲🌲🌲

All the details can be found on my website (link in the bio ) along with details of flower subscriptions and gift cards !

smallbusiness

12/11/2024

💐THE FLOWER CLUB💐
Did you know we offer subscription flowers?
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You can now purchase one of our three subscription packages each one will bring you four deliveries of flowers throughout the 2025 flowering season, a perfect gift or treat for yourself!
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When you sign up you will receive a card confirming your choice along with a small floral gift and a packet of seeds harvested from our cutting patch all presented in a 'letter box' package.
🌸🌸🌸
Delivery of all the options is free to our local surrounding villages and should you choose to collect your flowers there is a 10% discount. When it comes to payment we have several options for you.
🌸🌸🌸
To find out more and order please visit my website ( link in the bio ) and fill out the form or if you have any questions then drop me a line.

01/11/2024

💐 FAVOURITE FLOWERS FRIDAY💐

The focus this week is on RANUNCULUS from the buttercup family and fondly known as the 'rose of the spring' .
There are numerous varieties available depending if you are growing to enjoy in the border or growing for cut flowers. I have historically grown the 'elegance' cultivar, with each plant producing 10 or more stems of glorious double flowers with layer upon layer of petals. Last season however I trailed 'butterfly' ranunculus, multi headed smaller single flowers with a beautiful iridescent shine to them, already a new favourite. Finally the 'picotee' variety bridges the gap between the two, a single more open flower in the most beautiful colours.

IN THE GARDEN
I grow them from corms in the autumn or late winter, starting them off in a cold green house then grown on under a low poly tunnel that can be removed easily when the weather improves . They will flower from April through to June and beyond if the weather allows , but as soon as it turns warm they will slow down, die off and regenerate a new corm for the following year .

IN THE BOUQUET
They are excellent to use in floristry with a long vase life and make stunning focal flowers for spring weddings.

Do you love Ranunculus

25/10/2024

💐 FAVOURITE FLOWERS FRIDAY💐
Here is another flower I discovered this year thanks to my lovely local suppliers at and .

I was searching for large leafy structural foliage to use in churns for a late September wedding and "Leycesteria Formosa" was suggested. It goes by other names too , Himalayan Honeysuckle , Pheasant Berry, Purple Rain , Granny's curls and Flowering Nutmeg I prefer 'Pheasant Berry' because it sounds seasonally appropriate and I can spell it without numerous checks !

IN THE GARDEN - It is considered quite a "thug" growing tall if not contained and throws up new growth each year, it's the type of shrub that once you have it, you may struggle to get rid of it! Native to the Himalayas and southwest China it's also considered to be invasive in Australia and New Zealand, so I think this one will not make it into my garden, especially as I now know where I can get it from locally

FOR FLORISTRY - It has hollow stems and is thirsty but keep it in a water source and it holds up well and made a great structure for the churns. It has berries so caution and awareness, as always is needed. Will I use it again? DEFINITELY, would you?

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smallbusiness

18/10/2024

💐FAVOURITE FLOWERS 2024💐
At this time of year when the days are getting shorter and cooler ( generally) flower production and growth begins to slow down, so I was particularly pleased to find this single 'scabiosa caucasica - perfection blue' standing tall and strong in the perennial border.
Over the course of the year, after introduced me to them I have fallen head over heels in love with their delicate appearance but strong nature providing that beautiful pop of blue in wedding bouquets. I had already sowed seeds from in both pink and blue but I was totally unaware of how wonderful and perfect they were for floristry work - now I can't wait to use it again in my 2025 weddings ! Definitely one of my favourites from this season!
Would you like this in your bouquet ?

16/09/2024

💐UPDATE FROM THE GATE 💐
As we head into a 'potentially' settled week there is lots going on here 'behind' the gate.
💐 We are flowering our final.wedding of the season at the weekend, I'm not going to lie the frost last week was not needed but we are good to go and I can't wait to share the story and photos!
💐 We are potting on seedlings sown a few weeks ago - Sweet Williams, wallflowers, linaria, to name a few .
💐 Planting out our home grown pansy's ( for cutting ) aquilegias, geums and perennial scabious, again all grown from seed.
💐 Burying alliums, tulips, daffs, iris and anything else that is bulb like !
💐Sowing our cerinthe, snaps, orlaya, larkspur ( yes I'm going to try again ) Chinese forget me nots, tree mallow, achillea and broad beans in the veg patch
💐And if course the big autumn clear up which has included collecting our own sweeties seeds , some of which I'll be sowing again because they were just the best this year !!
So there is lots to look forward to as we wind down this season and begin the next. 💐

smallbusiness

29/07/2024

💐UPDATE FROM THE GATE💐
Summer seems to have arrived and doesn't it make a difference?! Certainly for us here, the flowers are finally getting going and it just makes you feel good to have the warm sun on your face! I hope you are enjoying it too!
💐💐💐
Growing is a constant job but we have been busy with floristry too, our pre-booked weddings and weekly orders are taking priority over everything else, that means not much is making it out onto the flower stall at the minute I'm afraid, so ordering your flowers is really the only way to make sure you'll get super fresh local grown flowers.

💐OUR FLOWERS💐
I feel I need to clarify that due to the poor growing season although the gorgeous flowers I post photos of on here are 100% mine it doesn't necessarily mean I have huge quantities. The weather has taken a massive toll on our blooms. This means I only have enough flowers for my own use and as my customers already know, sometimes I supplement the flowers I use in my floristry with those from other FFTF growers near by. So unless your order for DIY buckets has been confirmed there is currently no availability for these until further notice. There is also no availability for wholesale flowers this season.

I will update you when this changes .

Monday	10:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	10:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	10:00 - 16:00
Thursday	10:00 - 16:00
Friday	10:00 - 16:00

Flowers by the Gate