Seasonal, sustainable and stylish are the bywords for a new generation of florists in London, whose experimental arrangements are bringing colour and joy to the capital. From single stems grown and cut in Kent, to large bodacious bouquets made using rare and unique flowers, a handful of creative florists are shaking up the industry. Here’s our pick of the bunch.
Sage Flowers, Peckham
Romy St Clair and Iona Mathieson had no experience in floristry when they founded Sage Flowers. Starting out at a pop-up market in a car park in Peckham, the duo threw away the proverbial rule book and created experimental and unique bouquets inspired by more unusual flowers and foliage. In the four years since, the pair have created installations for the likes of Fenty, Gucci and Stine Goya, and built a sizeable following in the capital and beyond. A selection of seasonal bouquets are available to buy through the brand’s website, with each bunch beautifully wrapped and delivered from the Peckham store.
Arch 6, Station Passage, Queens Road, SE15 2JR, sageflowers.co.uk
Rebel Rebel, Hackney
Founded in 2000 by flower fans Mairead and Athena, Rebel Rebel’s flamboyant blooms have caught the eye of brands such as Aston Martin, Harrods and Dior, who have all enlisted the help of Rebel Rebel’s wizard florists. Alongside designing installations for weddings and events, the brand offers a selection of hand-tied bouquets crafted from seasonal flowers and foliage for delivery, with all flowers bought fresh from New Covent Garden Flower Market each day. Looking for something a little different? Opt for the Flowers in a Handbag bunch, which arrives in a vintage 1950s handbag.
117 Mare Street, E8 4RU, rebelrebel.co.uk
JamJar Flowers, Kennington
Following a career as the founder and director of modelling agency Take 2, Melissa Richardson launched JamJar Flowers in 2009 as a hobby to keep her busy during retirement. Instead, the company became a full-time job, and today, with the help of co-director Amy Fielding, Richardson creates beautiful installations for venues such as Spring, Sketch and Chiltern Firehouse from her studio in Kennington, with individual bouquets also available for delivery. The brand’s signature aesthetic is inspired by the Sussex woodlands that surrounded Richardson’s childhood home, with each JamJar Flowers bouquet reminiscent of wildflowers. For something a little longer-lasting, JamJar also offers gorgeous framed pressed flowers.
7a Peacock Yard, Iliffe Street, SE17 3LH, jamjarflowers.co.uk
A Flower Shop, Clapton
Sustainability is at the core of That Flower Shop, an East London-based independent florist founded by Hattie Fox in 2012. Operating its own farm and cutting patch in Kent, the brand uses slow and sustainable farming methods to grow a variety of flowers, which are either used in the east London boutique and studio, or sold wholesale to other florists. Having recently moved from the Ace Hotel to its own studio in Clapton, A Flower Shop offers a selection of made-to-order bouquets, from single stems to large, seasonal arrangements at surprisingly affordable prices.
51D Chatsworth Road, Lower Clapton, E5 0LH, hattieflower.co.uk
Scarlet & Violet, Kensal Rise
Vic Brotherson started her floristry journey manning Wild at Heart’s Westbourne Grove flower stall, before founding her own company, Scarlet & Violet, in 2006. Located in Kensal Rise, the brand has a distinctly bucolic aesthetic, creating impactful bouquets reminiscent of a bright and overflowing garden. Made using fresh and seasonal flowers, every Scarlet & Violet bouquet is different — but a menu on the brand’s website gives an idea of what to expect. Choose from a selection of styles, or ring the shop to discuss a bespoke order.
76 Chamberlayne Road, NW10 3JJ, scarletandviolet.com
Petalon
Husband-and-wife team Florence and James Kennedy founded Petalon after spotting a gap in the market for beautiful but reasonably-priced blooms. Utilising James’s bicycle manufacturing business, and inspired by their shared commitment to sustainability, Florence began hand-delivering bouquets on her bike in east London. Today, the company is based in Cornwall (where the couple grow their own flowers) and delivers nationwide via a carbon-neutral courier, seven days a week. Petalon offers just two bouquet styles a week in a bid to minimise waste, with new arrangements launching every Friday.
Visit petalon.co.uk
Neill Strain Floral Couture, Knightsbridge and Belgravia
As the name suggests, Neill Strain’s practice is all about elevating the art of floristry to its absolute epitome. Founded in Belgravia in 2008, and now with a concession in Harrods, make this your port of call for wow creations designed to make an impact. Take, for example, its Valentine’s Day signature 100 red rose bouquet or the ever-changing seasonal Haute Couture collection. Every bunch is made-to-order using whichever blooms Strain’s in-house florists deem to be at their prime each day — meaning each one is utterly unique and completely gorgeous.
11 W Halkin Street, SW1X 8JL, neillstrain.com
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