The Knowledge — British Flowers

Peony season has started… paused… and started again! This year's erratic weather is playing absolute havoc with what we lovingly call our "marshmallows" in the field. From the rich soils of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, and Norfolk, our network of five trusted British growers are currently playing a high-stakes game of strategy with mother nature.

Growing these breathtaking divas is a beautiful, stressful science. While gentle rain brilliantly washes away sticky nectar and deters ants, sudden spring hailstorms and late frosts can cause heartbreak weeks later. In a wholesale industry dominated by imports, we proudly champion British peonies. They are a fierce reminder that flowers aren't manufactured products—they are living, breathing things shaped by rain, wind, and patience. And when everything aligns? Those marshmallow buds unfurl into something utterly magnificent.

Some flowers do something truly special in a design, bringing a dreamy, cloud-like softness that's almost impossible to achieve any other way. Gypsophila is one of them—and it’s even better when it’s British-grown. Grown by the expert Harrington family in Cambridgeshire, our fresh white and blush pink stems bring unmatched volume, organic texture, and incredible versatility to early summer weddings. From conditioning secrets (and how to handle that famous scent) to drying tips and large-scale installation ideas, here is everything you need to know about working with this seasonal staple.

April showers finally arrived in May, and the fields are exploding! Everything is coming in fast for Chelsea week, which means a hectic logistics loop across Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire. Please order a few days ahead to help us secure your stems in top condition.

Here is what you need to know right now:

• Peonies in Full Stride: Fresh cuts are arriving every other day, including supersized stems from Norfolk. Event florists, lock in your standing orders now.

• Stocks Running Short: We’ve sold out twice already. Because the grower is at the edge of our radius, we need a few days' notice—no last-minute top-ups available!

• Trending Blooms: Alliums are having a viral moment on social media, and budget-friendly Sweet Williams are delivering great value.

• Last Chance: It's the absolute final cut for Viburnum opulus. Miss it and it's gone until next year.

See you at Chelsea on Tuesday!

Butterfly Ranunculus and the First Peonies of the Season Butterfly ranunculus are landing this week, the first peonies are nearly here, and the rest of the field is filling out fast. Here's what's coming through from our British growers. Butterfly Ranunculus from Flourish Produce This week's crop report belongs to butterfly ranunculus. Every stem we have is coming in from Flourish Produce in Cambridgeshire, certified organic, grown along the River Granta between Hildersham and Linton. If you've been waiting for them, this is the moment to get an order in. Five varieties available right now, all in bunches of ten:...

The moment a flower is harvested, a race against time begins. For British growers, the goal is to harvest at the exact moment so that when it is delivered to your door, it’s at peak perfection. However, a flower is a living, breathing organism that is not interested in how it looks to you. Even after it is cut from its roots, it continues to transpire (losing water through its petals and leaves) and metabolise its stored sugars. The journey from grower to your door When you order British flowers, they often travel through a sophisticated "cold chain." This involves...