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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Wedding Bouquets on YouTube 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 […]
A welcome break from dust and decorating, spring has well and truly sprung in the shop with some of my favourite plants and flowers filling draws, shelves and all spare space. I just wish my home and garden looked full of promise! Possibly my favourite spring bulb of all time, Muscari. I think they are the perfect way to brighten someone’s day They also smell like sweets. Hellebore heaven ... I am super dizzy with excitement! We just got a huge delivery of the most knock-out hellebore plants and cut stems. Its making me want to create some jam jar […]
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