Archive | Cut flowers

This Seasons Round Up

We’ve been so busy that we are only just catching our breath after an incredible season. The garden has provided flowers for over 60 weddings, a string of workshops, two busy open days, mail order bouquets, plus Farmers markets and our Saturday shop. All of that has certainly kept us on our toes. There has been a riot of colour passing through the flower studio. I’m still amazed by the flowers the garden produces, it’s any florists dream. Three years on from when we set up Green and Gorgeous and I’m still 'the kid in the candy store' when it comes to choosing a palette to work with. The garden is the ultimate paint box. 

Here are a few images from this year's weddings. Hopefully the website will have it's annual makeover soon,  so we'll showcase them all a bit better then in our online gallery.

Round up

We have worked in some fabulous new venues and met some talented people. Tom Weller (www.tomwellerphotography.com ) has taken some amazing shots. He is a very friendly and talented photographer that has the ability to capture the ‘realness’ of the moment. His relaxed style has blended well with our 'garden look'. We loved this shot.

Bridesmaid emma croft

 Our Top Five venues have been:

Friars Court, Clanfield  – www.silverpearweddings.co.uk

Caswell House, Brize Norton – www.caswellhouse.co.uk

The Olde Bell, Hurley – www.theoldebell.co.uk

Notley Abbey, Nr Thame – www.notleyabbey.co.uk

I’m excited about the year ahead. Rachel and Ash are currently at a huge flower trade fair in Amsterdam, so it will be interesting to hear what people think the trends will be for next year. As we grow our flowers, we have to think even further ahead to ensure we’re growing the right flowers to suit all of our brides for 2012. There will be lots of hard work taking place over the next few months, much of which we won’t see the benefits of until spring.  I’m now busy planning my Christmas workshops,  so maybe I’ll see some of you then!

Jo Wise

 

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Wild weather and wildlife

Well, Autumn has come in way ahead of schedule, resulting in much dead-heading.  We really have been suffering with a wet and windy week, and is before the hurricane.

 

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And I found this nest in my tractor, which obviously means I am not getting into my cab often enough.

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Other wildlife hilights this year include this amazing chrysalis that turned into a painted lady butterfly. We maintain a healthy population of ladybirds and hoverflies in our polytunnel, whose larvae eat lots of aphids.

 

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I have not been able to identify this clever butterfly however….

 

Butterfly 

 Our course season has also  started in earnest, with attendees enjoying the end of summer dahlia show and some great home cooking. This Verbena always seems to sing, especially with all this dull weather we have been having.

 

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Ashley

 

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NGS OPEN DAY JULY 10th

Many thanks to everyone who came along to our NGS Open Day, it was a great success and together we made nearly £1500 for charity!  We even had special guests along this time, with some representatives of the Sonning Common Ukelele Orchestra to entertain us.

 

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Jo was working her usual magic in the flower studio…

 

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Many thanks also to our willing band of helpers, Graham (Dad) on the door, Marian (Mum on staff catering), Irene (plant sales), Sally (plant sales), Liz (Mum on washing up) and our neighbourhood catering team (Vicki, Peter, Clare and friend).

 

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