The wonderful Rosie Parsons aka the brains behind the beautiful blog LoveLuxe asked us some time ago to provide her with a series of expert posts about flowers.
How could we say no?!?
Come and take a look at Emily and Andrews big day on LoveLuxe, with some gorgeous images by the very talented duo behind Aston and Ainsworth photography.
Big love to Rosie for featuring our first post ... can't wait to share some more gorgeous images with you all soon.
Some years ago, I used to work in Pangbourne. I was in my early twenties, and there weren't many people in the village who I knew. The woman in the gift shop would say hello to me, and the chaps in Greens always had some friendly banter for me when I went in to buy a pie, but I didn't really know anyone in the village other than my colleagues.
The shop across the road had closed. Something was going on inside - there were comings and goings, and people were fitting the shop out for something new. I wondered what was coming. I couldn't think what it would be - in a village like Pangbourne, where we already had a fabulous cheese shop - an excellent butchers, and some lovely gift and boutique shops. I started to walk past each day - looking in through the windows trying to work out what it was going to be - when finally the word started to go around... it's going to be a florist shop. Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear; there goes my salary!
I've always loved flowers, and have always struggled to walk past a florist without popping in and buying something, but when Green Parlour opened, it was something different. It was like an Aladdin's cave to me - there was something about the "feel" of the shop which was unavoidable. As soon as I saw that the shop was open, I crossed the road, and popped my head around the door... behind the counter, putting together an amazing hand-tied bouquet, was a lady who was to become one of my greatest friends - this beaming smile greeted me - "Hello, I'm Emma, welcome to our shop". I don't think I've ever had such a heartfelt welcome from anyone in any shop, before, or since. I soon learnt that the reason for this, is because Emma is genuine, she is passionate about her business, and she is passionate about the plants and flowers that she sells. She really meant what she was saying - she was glad to meet me as someone who she would be working alongside in Pangbourne, and she was obviously very proud of what they had created - and rightfully so. The shop was completely unrecogniseable - there were things to look at everywhere you turned, but it wasn't the things to look at which will remain forever imprinted in my memory - it was the absolutely knock out smell! The smell never seemed to change whenever you went in - it didn't matter what time of year it was, or what plants she had in stock - it was just what I have come to think of in my mind as the "Green Parlour" smell - a mixture of fresh flowers, houseplants, and beautiful candles. It is the smell of happiness, the smell of warmth, and overall, the smell of a friendly smile and often a cup of coffee and a chat.
Since that first time of walking into the shop, I have been in hundreds of times. Every time I walk in, it is like the first time - the smell
Blossom and Broom
Cherry blossom to be precise. Gorgeous beautiful blossom.
Full of meaning in Japan and China. Gentleness, kindness and feminine beauty.
I adore its soft pink blooms next to the sturdy deep glossy twig. Beautiful in an old cut glass vase. I’m hoping mine will root and perhaps with a little nurture I can place it out in the garden.
I am new to broom. Before now I have never seen its appeal and I’m happy to admit for the past 5 years I have missed out. Those tiny flowers house a beautiful soft fragrance.
Spring is all about fragrance, don’t you think?
Cheering people up with bouquets of beautiful flowers is something we seem to be doing a lot of this week but we're not complaining! This cold snap makes the mildness of last weekend seem like a bit of a tease and its seems I'm not the only one in Pangbourne who is feeling a little under the weather!
A part of my job that I really enjoy is hearing about the person that we'll be delivering to. Whether its an 'I love you' bouquet, a 'welcome to the world' bouquet, a bouquet being sent to someone who has just lost a loved one or my favorite - the 'just because' bouquet. Sometimes they say 'I know these are her favourite', or 'Those colour tones would be perfect in her kitchen' but this week its been 'Oh, anything lovely... something to cheer her up!' and that in itself makes me smile. That way I get to indulge and its a win-win; I get cheered up by making something to cheer someone else up!
My ideal 'just because bouquet' would definately have some zesty greens in it-perhaps some lovely Guelder Rose {Viburnum Opulus} and an array of spring flowers, bright ones at that! It must seem that we go on and on about spring flowers but they really are special. They are natures way of letting us know that new things are coming and it might be cold and frosty on the outside, underground the bulbs are working hard and soon those brave and optimistic Daffodils will come up and put a smile on everyone's face!
Of course flowers are not the only way to show someone that you care, it can be little things. A hand written note popped through the door, a lovely plant. Last week whilst donning my coat to brave the cold and go home for the day I found some chocolate treats that one of the lovely girls here had snaffled into my pocket without me noticing! I was touched and it was lovely!
Anemone.
The windflower.
Possibly the love of my life in the flower world.
I could gush for hours about how much I love anemones. I promise I’ll keep it short. For me, they signal the true sign of spring and a hopeful end to cold winter weather. How can one not fall completely head over heals in love with their dainty heads and delicate unfurling petals.
Coming from the Greek word for “windflower” the anemone is rumoured to have sprung from Aphrodite’s tears as she mourned the death of Adonis.
They are said to bring luck and protect against evil. Throughout mythology anemones are linked to fairies, which are said to sleep under the petals, after the flower closed at sunset. The modern interpretation is linked to anticipation.
Anticipation that warmer weather is coming.
I love them arranged in single stem vases. I have an ever-expanding selection of gold and silver numbers that are slowly cluttering up our mantelpiece. These vases are my favourite. Beautifully simple, elegant and they use up all the off cuts, snapped stems and I know summer is a little way off but what better way to display sweet peas.
A new delivery of aged zinc containers has arrived in store.
I just had to jump in and arrange this table centre for an impromptu dinner party. A table isn’t complete without flowers right?
People expect my house to resemble a greenhouse, filled to the brim with fresh flowers – I don’t want to break the spell but instead my kitchen windowsill is littered with old, dried roses. I know they are dead but I love the beauty of them, they look like an oil painting.
Always so cheery- spring flowers rarely fail to make me smile. With Valentines days seeming like a distant memory- who needs Roses when you've Ranunculus and Tulips!
There's nothing I love more than Ranunculus! (other half, parents and siblings aside)
Note to self- I must try and grow these beauties! I heard said the other day that the Ranunculus is one of the few flowers that gets better by the day until it falls apart! I love love love them! Their layers and layers of papery thin vibrant petals and quite reminiscent of Peonies which are yet a distant summer dream!
I sent my boyfriend flowers once - a Kilner jar full of bright yellow Ranunculus (to match his car) and I remember careful attaching a cardboard tag with some gardening string and in black marker pen scrawling 'incredibly thirsty! top me up with water every day but don't put me in the pond!'. The latter a nod to his not so ideal approach to disguarding dead flowers! Also known as a Persian Buttercup- I was sweetly amused to discover that the gift had prompted much research on the subject.
I love the quirks that the individual flowers present- as mentioned above, Ranunculus can happily drink their way through a vase of water. Tulips - to use the scientific terminology have a 'positive photo-tropism' in simple terms they grow towards the light and in fact they continue to grow despite being a cut stem. I love to watch them creep up through a bouquet after several days, as if they are vying for attention!
And such beautiful colours too! We had Tulips in at the weekend which I can only describe as Apricots on stems - not the dried variety that you might find lurking in a Morrocan Tagine but fresh, plump, and inexpressibly beautiful! Its funny actually that as I refer to the invoice to share with you the variety that the actual name is 'Mango Charm'. They got the charm bit right- but someone should check out the fruit aisle in their nearest Waitrose because they're definitely Apricots - not Mango's!
Stealing ten minutes with a coffee - a much needed aid to post-Valentine's Day recovery, and I thought I'd share a little snap shot to remind us what lies ahead... yes I mean Summer! I know, we've Spring to come in between but I'm an optimist!
In the midst of the busy-ness that engulfs Green Parlour on v-day as we refer to it 'in the trade' we had some pretty Pinks dotted throughout the shop lodged in these lovely zinc containers. I love them and just looking at them makes me happy!
Updating the chalk boards is on our 'to do' list today! Valentine's is so last season, it's Mother's Day next don't you know! Peeping it's head around the corner - Mothering Sunday falls on the 10th March this year- three weeks away tomorrow! Ahh... where does the time go!
As a treat for all my hard work this week, tomorrow I will assign the day to be spent in garden. There's nothing quite like the first day you spend in the garden. It looked positively pretty in the snow until it melted! And I feel quite inspired with all our new 'Burgeon and Ball' goodies we had delivered in to the shop, I might even buy myself some new Gardening Gloves for the occasion. ...Something about a new broom sweeping clean - does that translate into new gloves - greener fingers?? I do hope so!
We are about to launch a new series of How To tutorials on YouTube. To wet your appetite we have uploaded some of our wedding portfolio to YouTube.
Watch this space!
From the moment we met Tanya and Angus way back in September last year we knew the flowers were right up our street!
Sage greens
Soft pinks
Dusky purples
Basically a whole lot of heaven.
Brides-to-be take note: Tanya provided us with the most amazing book of fabric samples allowing us to match everything perfectly. It was such a joy to have this piece of kit at our disposal!
Clusters of vases adorned the tables, each filled with peonies, Amnesia roses, veronica, scented eucalyptus and herbs, flowering nigella and Majolica spray roses.
I know I shouldn’t have favourites but Tanyas bouquet has to be one of my favourite of the year so far. Filled to the brim with blousy peonies, little groupings of ivory Majolika spray roses, darts of veronica, nigella and to top it off …sweet peas! Yum!
Congratulations to Tanya and Angus.
We love getting professional photographs of our flowers and these were provided by the Groom’s company www.angusthomas.com
Kent is beautiful, Kent in the sunshine is breathtaking!
The van was loaded with all the gorgeous wedding flowers we had been busy preparing in the shop and the scent … well lets just say, if you could bottle it you would be rolling in it. So on the first sunny Saturday of the year we trundle out of our normal wedding stoming ground of Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
I know I shouldn’t have favourites but Katy chose all of my most loved flowers. Getting her email straight from Australia, way back in winter, I was already super super (yes it deserves two) excited about the flowers she mentioned.
Sweet peas
Herbs
Spray roses
Yes please!
The wedding was held in Tom's parent’s barn. If they don’t rent it out for weddings, they definitely should, I would book within seconds of seeing it. It really encompassed the phrase ‘garden of England’ with agapanthus blooming, gorgeous lawns, amazing flower beds, white-washed barn walls … need I say more.
Candelabra’s don’t really cut the mustard here. It’s all about aged terracotta pots, sage green bunting and rustic lanterns.
The bridal bouquet was filled with Pepita spray roses, English grown herbs, sweet peas, flowering mint, ammi majus, Majolika spray roses, myrtle and eucalyptus.
Congratulations Mr and Mrs Brooks!
