The Knowledge — British Grown Flowers

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...