The Evolve Collective: Small British Businesses for Gardeners and Flower Lovers

The Evolve Collective is a growing group of independent British businesses from the gardening and flower world, selected by Evolve Flowers, a Lincolnshire-based florist and British flower source. It currently includes peat-free compost, gardening gloves for women, dried flowers and a reusable flower arranging frog, with more makers joining over time. 

Why the Evolve Collective?

We work with small British businesses every day, from growers to packaging suppliers. Over the years we have come to know some we trust and would happily use ourselves. The Collective brings them together in one place, so gardeners, florists and anyone who loves flowers can find them.

Each business in the Collective is independent, sustainably-minded and part of the growing, gardening or flower world. The Collective also helps these businesses reach customers who might not otherwise come across them.

What is in the Evolve Collective at the moment?

Here is the current line-up. New products will be added as more businesses join.

Peat-free compost from Wildmore Compost

Wildmore Compost makes a premium all-purpose peat-free compost, sold in 40 litre and 60 litre bags and suited to pots, containers and general planting.

Peat bogs store large amounts of carbon and provide a habitat for specialist wildlife. Digging peat for compost releases that carbon and damages the bog, which is why many gardeners now choose peat-free compost for everything from seed trays to summer containers.

Order your compost here

Gardening gloves for women from Spinsterz

Spinsterz makes premium leather gardening gloves designed for women. The MidiGaunt and gauntlet styles have a 20cm cuff that covers the wrist, which helps when pruning roses or clearing brambles.

Each pair comes in its own colour combination, with leopard print, zebra print and metallic gold among the cuff details, and each style carries a woman's name: Ivy, Carol, Patricia, Hannah, Hilda and Jayde.

Get your gorgeous gardening gloves for the discerning woman

A reusable flower arranging frog from Halliesphere

The Halliesphere Eco Flower Arranger is a reusable 10cm flower frog that sits inside a glass vase and supports the stems, so an arrangement holds its shape. It comes in sage green and classic white as part of the Meadow Collection.

Florists have been looking for alternatives to single-use floral foam for some years, and a reusable arranger is one of the simplest. It works for hand-tied-style arrangements at home and for professional work.

Hop to grab your flower frogs

Dried helichrysum from Forgotten Blooms

Forgotten Blooms supplies dried helichrysum, also known as strawflower, in assorted mixed colours, purple, salmon rose and scarlet. The flower heads come in boxes of 50, 100 or 200, and several colours are also available as 20 pre-wired stems. The wired mixed heads are 24cm long.

Helichrysum keeps its colour and papery texture once dried, so it suits wreaths, dried bouquets, table decorations and craft projects. Dried flowers last for months, which makes them a good choice for seasonal displays and keepsakes.

There's no need to linger longer (that's what the flowers do)

Why these businesses?

Every business in the Collective meets the same three tests:

• It is an independent British business.
• It is sustainably-minded in what it makes/grows and how it makes/grows it.
• It belongs to the growing, gardening or flower world, and we know the people behind it.

How does ordering from the Collective work?

Each business ships its own products direct from its base to your home or business. If you order from more than one business, your items may arrive in separate deliveries. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout.

How does the Collective fit with Evolve Flowers?

Evolve Flowers was founded in 2017 and works with British growers, prioritising British manufacturers and low-carbon, recycled, compostable or biodegradable packaging wherever possible. The Collective extends that approach to the wider growing and gardening world, with the same care over who we recommend.

Would your business suit the Collective?

If you run a British business connected to floristry, gardening or farming, and you share our approach to business, we would like to hear from you. Email helen@evolveflowers.com