It’s not too late to sow sweet peas - so easy to It’s not too late to sow sweet peas - so easy to grow and blissfully fragrant in the summer months. 
They were my mum’s favourite flower, so growing them now feels like a precious connection. Especially when I pick some and arrange them in her beautiful old blue and gold jug just as she used to do with the sweet peas my dad grew for her every year.
There are some really handy tips for growing success from founder of The Real Flower Company Rosebie Morton over on the blog (link in bio). Rosebie has a whole farm dedicated to sweet peas near Chichester so she knows a thing or two about the subject!
Main thing I’ve picked up from her is to allow lots of depth for root growth at this stage and to make my own supportive wigwams from twiggy branches when the plants are really starting to go for it and need a bit of direction. This photo is making me yearn slightly.
I love this image of my friend Jo - we were trying I love this image of my friend Jo - we were trying out tiny living for a feature I was writing - this was taken on our way to indulge in a spot of forest bathing. To be totally honest, we were both a little sceptical beforehand. But we were only saying the other day how taken aback we both were by the amazing effect it had. I’m working on some new ideas around the subject - will keep you posted. X
I’m currently working on a redesign of the whole I’m currently working on a redesign of the whole site - which has meant lots of photo editing and reorganising so much content. What’s been lovely (despite the claw hand from so much keyboard work!) is revisiting work and becoming engrossed all over again. I thought I’d share a few of the things I’ve been (re) loving - with links in the bio to the old site for now, but not for long…! X
This  image is from a feature about preserving garden roses. I’m going to give this a really good go this year, now I have a better idea what I’m doing. I know there’s nothing quite like a fragrant fresh rose in Summer but there’s a fragile beauty to dried and preserved flowers that I also love, don’t you?
Snowdrops 🌱🤍 . . . . . . #capturequiet #ins Snowdrops 🌱🤍 
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#capturequiet #instabritain #natureandnourish #thewildernesstonic #cornersofmyworld
Signed copies of Bex Partridge’s new book Flower Signed copies of Bex Partridge’s new book Flowers Forever to be won! My bio has the link to enter as well as to get a peek inside. Beautifully photographed by Laura Edwards, I really enjoyed escaping into the pages and making plans for my own garden - hope you do too! X
To the Moon and Back Hares KNITTING PATTERN by Cla To the Moon and Back Hares KNITTING PATTERN by Claire Garland aka @dotpebbles_knits has to be the perfect post Christmas craft project 😊 
If you fancy getting your needles out to make this adorable pair, the link to buy Claire’s pattern is in my bio. Happy knitting! X
Thank you so much to Sarah @floribundaroseflorists Thank you so much to Sarah @floribundaroseflorists for a wonderful wreath making workshop yesterday. Such a special and creative space to spend time. I loved making my wreath - I went for a mixture of greenery arranged quite randomly with red waxed fresh apples, dried hydrangea, dried flowers, poppy and nigella seed heads and a winter white velvet bow. 
There were so many wonderful ingredients to choose from we were really spoiled for choice. 
Sarah’s new studio is such a beautiful, creative space. Think fragrant botanical candles flickering everywhere, mulled wine and apple juice simmering on the stove and containers full of fragrant festive greenery, waxed fruit, dried flowers and oranges, pine cones, lichen covered branches and even tiny gold wax-dipped fresh crab apples. 
Thank you for being so patient with my lengthy ribbon choice deliberations Sarah - and for bagging up a second choice option (dusky pink) to take home! X.  #wreathmaking #wreath #wreathsofinstagram #sustainablewreaths #wreathdecor #christmaswreath #velvetribbon #christmasdecor #festiveflowers
I’ve loved Olga Prinku’s work for ages now - s I’ve loved Olga Prinku’s work for ages now - she came up with the genius idea of embroidering on tulle using nature as her thread - and the results are sublime - like this Autumn colours beauty from her latest book.
I’m delighted that Olga is offering a fantastic prize bundle to my readers. For a chance to win one of her beautiful new dried flower embroidery kits (in collaboration with @driedandfloral ) as well as a signed copy of her wonderful new book(published by @quadrillebooks , pop over to my blog (link in my bio). It’s easy to enter so why don’t you give yourself a chance of winning this very lovely prize? Good luck! 
#driedflowers #driedflowerembroidery #olgaprinku #embroideryhoop #flowerembroidery #competitiontime #signedbooks #embroideryart #flowersontulle #autumn #autumncolours #hoopart #allthingsbotanical #instacraft
This beautiful image is by Laura Pashby @circleofp This beautiful image is by Laura Pashby @circleofpines and is from her beautiful new book Little Stories of Your Life. 
It’s packed with inspiration and practical ideas to help you become a visual story teller. Because, as Laura says, it’s the little moments that make up the fabric of all of our lives - and those moments are worth capturing and sharing with others.
We have three signed copies of the book to give away - just click the link in my bio to find out more. There’s a peek inside and a lovely film by @xantheb to enjoy too! X 
#littlemoments #littlestoriesbook #alifeofwords #lostinwords #competition #booksarelife #mindfulphotography #bookstagram #booksmakemehappy #booksconnectus #igreads #whatareyoureading #signedbooks
Thanks to Lisa from @inthemaking_aprons who has sh Thanks to Lisa from @inthemaking_aprons who has shared her wonderfully creative ideas for visibly mending well-loved clothing in need of repair and a little TLC.
She had me at ‘sometimes I like to use giant sequins…’ 
Hope you like Lisa’s ideas as much as I do. The link to head over to my blog and get all her step by steps is in my bio x
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FLOWERS, MAKE · October 10, 2016

How to arrange autumn flowers

How to arrange autumn flowers

Discover how to arrange autumn flowers as craft journalist Clare Kelly attends the ‘Autumn Splendour’ floral design course at The Sussex Flower School.

I have also shared lots more inspiring seasonal ideas by my favourite flower creatives (Please scroll down beyond Clare’s workshop write-up). There’s also information on a wonderful free Fall Flowers course from Floret Flower Farm, available if you sign up before 28th September… Hope you find something to inspire you!


I love autumn flowers and I love autumn. I just can’t help myself. It’s the colours, the cosiness….all of it.

sussex flower school workshop

So on an early autumn day, I found myself heading to The Sussex Flower School in Laughton for the their autumn flowers course where I was promised a pumpkin. That is, a pumpkin to use as the basis for an autumnal floral arrangement.

autumn pumpkin flower arrangement

Set up by florist Georgia Miles, the School itself is a purpose-built workshop in the grounds of Georgia’s own home, a picture-perfect cottage with its own cutting garden and interior touches straight off the pages of Country Living magazine.

(NB since this post by Clare was first published, The Sussex Flower School has moved to inspirational new studio premises near Uckfield in East Sussex. A converted cow shed with high ceilings and lots of light, the new workshop has its own cutting garden and ample free parking.

Each year, this post gets a lot of love on Pinterest – so as well as the original ideas, I have also updated it with fresh, new seasonal inspiration from other floral creatives too.)

Arriving for the course, I was told that the pumpkins had been sourced locally – the proud harvest of a schoolboy called Harry who I promised I would mention. Several pumpkins flanked the door of the workshop and inside there were plenty more, along with colourful buckets full of seasonal autumn flowers.

Autumn flowers and pumpkin arrangement

There are two parts to this course. The first is the pumpkin floral arrangement and the second, which takes place in the afternoon teaches students how to make the perfect Autumnal hand tied bouquet.

But first things first, let’s get back to the pumpkins. Georgia demonstrated the technique we would need to employ to get our pumpkin ready. This required a sharp knife to lop off the top and then a big spoon to scoop out the flesh. I am not adept at using sharp tools, so needed a bit of help with this!

Pumpkins hollowed, you can add flower frogs to the base, with moulded balls of chicken wire on top to create a base for holding the flowers. This is to avoid using oasis or florist’s foam – a major cause of micro plastics entering the eco system.

You can disguise the wire with moss; this has an evocative scent that makes me think of walking through woodland in the rain (it wouldn’t be autumn without a few showers, would it?). If you have moss in your lawn, this is a great way to use it!

If you’re indecisive, the next part of the course would have you dithering for hours as it is time to choose your autumn-hued flowers, many of which come from Georgia’s cutting garden and include dahlias, sedum and gerberas.

how to make an autumn halloween flower pumpkin decoration: autumn pumpkin with purple and orange flowers

I opted for orange gerberas to echo the shape and colour of my pumpkin, dark purple dahlias for a rich contrast of colour, lavender for fragrance and armfuls of greenery.

how to make an autumn halloween flower pumpkin decoration: how to arrange stunning autumn flowers with Sussex Flower School. Click through for inspiring autumn flower arrangement ideas you'll love

Like an artist starting with a blank sheet of paper, placing the first flowers can be a bit daunting but I decided to just go for it and found that you soon get into a rhythm and  work almost instinctively, relaxing as you do.

For me, time flew by and it wasn’t long before I’d finished my arrangement – a small, textured creation, which I was really pleased with. What do you think?

autumn pumpkin flower arrangement

Above: Clare holding her finished pumpkin arrangement

For a glitzier twist on the idea, you could also paint your pumpkin gold:

autumn flower arrangement idea gold pumpkin orange asters, grassesm rose hips, berries and ivy #autumn #flowers #pumpkin #gold #orange

Creating a seasonal hand-tied bouquet

After an intimate lunch with the rest of the group in Georgia’s house (the main course, a fittingly autumnal butternut squash tart and for dessert one of Georgia’s homemade cakes) we set to work on the hand tied bouquet.

It is quite fiddly to get the hang of, as you need to grip the flowers securely but not too tightly, a similar premise as getting the correct tension when knitting. Once again, we were given an enormous choice of autumn flowers and told to take our pick.

how to arrange stunning autumn flowers and halloween pumpkin decorations with Sussex Flower School. Click through for inspiring autumn flower arrangement ideas you'll love

The beauty of the hand tied bouquet is that it can be achieved with almost any seasonal flowers and foliage. Once you’ve mastered the basics. It’s all about starting with one strong, central piece and working from there, holding everything in place as you go.

For me, the key was properly looking at what I was creating as I went and adjusting if necessary. I did need quite a lot of help getting the hang of this but as with most craft techniques, it’s all about practice and not getting too het up by mistakes.

how to make a hand tied bouquet

how to arrange stunning autumn flowers and halloween pumpkin decorations: autumn orange and purple flower hand tied bouquet - how to make itautumn bouquet flowers dahlia purple orange and ladies mantel #autumn #bouquet #flowers #arrangement #ideas

Finally, we wrapped our creations with coloured tissue or brown paper and tied with raffia. I know I’ll feel confident enough to give my own hand-tied bouquets as gifts now. Why don’t you get yourself a couple of pumpkins, some flowers you like and have a go yourself?

Thanks to Clare for sharing her day at The Sussex Flower School with us

Course information

For up-to-date information about current courses and workshops offered by The Sussex Flower School, check out their website. As well as the Autumn Splendour course featured here there’s also currently an Autumnal Wreath course (see examples below for some ideas). The bottom Autumn leaves wreath is probably my favourite and uses foraged foliage preserved and made glossy with glycerin. Simply mix one part glycerin with two parts water and submerge the leaves you want to preserve. Put a weight on top to keep the leaves submerged for 2-5 days. Dry gently when removed from the water – the leaves should now be soft and pliable.

autumn flowers wreath making workshop #autumn #flowes #wreath #workshop #frombritainwithlove #britishflowersautumn wreath arrangement idea #autumn #wreath #chineselantern #naturalautumn leaf wreath arrangement #autumn #wreath #leaves #foliage #fall

This beautiful creation is from another of Georgia’s courses.

autumn flower arrangement orange dahlias amaranthus lavender wild flowers #autumn #flowers #dahlias #amaranthus #britishflowers

Other creative Autumn flower ideas

Autumn Harvest wreath by The Real Flower Company

dried flower autumn wreath by the real flower company #autumn #wreath #driedflowers #frombritainwithlovedried flower autumn wreath by the real flower company #autumn #wreath #driedflowers #frombritainwithlove

Love this seasonal Autumn Harvest dried flower wreath from The Real Flower Company. It’s made using seasonal stems grown on the RFC farm in Hampshire. I just love how abundant and seasonal it feels. 

Green and Gorgeous flowers

(listed in our directory here) is a great source of floral inspiration, whatever the season. I love these latest ideas from G&G on Instagram

autumn flower arrangement green and gorgeous #autumn #flower #arrangement #ideas #frombritainwithlove autumn flower arrangement green and gorgeous #autumn #flower #arrangement #ideas #frombritainwithlove autumn flower arrangement green and gorgeous #autumn #flower #arrangement #ideas #frombritainwithlove

Find an inspiring selection of courses, flowers for events, farm gate flowers, pick your own flowers and more at Green & Gorgeous

And how lovely is this rosehip and viburnum natural Autumn wreath?

love this seasonal autumn wreath rosehips and viburnum berries. click through for more seasonal autumn flower arrangement ideas you'll love to make

Gathered Autumn leaf garland by Roots & Wings

love this simple autumn leaf garland roots and wings - who have kindly shared their simple step by steps to making one for your own fireplace, mantlepiece, wall or shelf this autumn or fall #autumn #wreath #garland #leavesa

Thanks to Olivia at Roots & Wings for sharing this with us. Roots & Wings makes award-winning organic and ethically sourced jams, chocolates, natural beauty products and more. 

I love the simplicity and that you first head outdoors and enjoy a seasonal walk looking for pretty leaves. 

To make it, you take a length of cotton and thread a thick needle. Next just sew in your gathered seasonal leaves where you’d like them to be. If the branches are too thick, tie them on instead and then keep sewing. All you then need to do is tape the garland to your wall, mirror or door. Paper washi tape looks lovely, is kind to paintwork and easy to reposition.

love this simple autumn leaf garland roots and wings - who have kindly shared their simple step by steps to making one for your own fireplace, mantlepiece, wall or shelf this autumn or fall #autumn #wreath #garland #leavesa

Kinfolk and Sunday Suppers collaboration

love this autumn leaves fall table decoration hanging single leaves to create a feeling of fall indoors just one of many inspiring autumn flowers arrangement ideas you'll love to create in your own home #autumn #leaves #flowers #arrangement #fall #frombritainwithlove

I adore this idea of hanging Autumn leaves above a dining table to create the feeling of fall indoors. It’s simple to do – just use a large needle to thread a length of strong cotton through the top of each leaf and attach to a light fitting or your ceiling.

autumn flower arrangement idea with dahlias, geranium leaves, olives, citrus fruit and purple garden flowers below a falling autumn leaves table decoration by kinfolk sunday suppers. Just one of many beautiful fall autumn flower ideas you'll love to recreate in your own home #autumn #flowers #fall #arrangement #ideas #frombritainwithlove

I love how some of the leaves have almost fallen as low as the table. This ties in with the simple seasonal flower and foliage arrangement. Scented rose geranium leaves, cafe au lait dahlis, bunches of green olives, citrus fruits and purple flowers from the garden create a rich, autumnal arrangement.

See more lovely images from this event here.

Floribunda Rose

I also always love to see what Sarah Diligent of Floribunda Rose is creating. She runs workshops throughout the year as well as creating the most beautiful British flower arrangements for weddings, magazines and events. Here’s a selection of lovely Autumnal images of her creations.

love this autumn flower arrangement by Sarah Diligent of Floribunda Rose using british flowers including chrysanthemum, dahlias, autumn leaves, foraged foliage and seasonal berries and greenery. Click through for more autumn flower arrangement ideas you'll love to make #frombritainwithlove #mybritainwithlove #britishflowers #autumnflowerideas #autumnleaveslove this autumn flower arrangement using chrysanthemums and seasonal autumnal foliage, foraged greenery for autumn flower arrangements. Click through for autumn flower arrangement ideas you'll love to make #frombritainwithlove #mybritainwithlove #britishflowers #autumnflowerideas #autumnleaveslove this autumn flower arrangement by Sarah Diligent of Floribunda Rose using british flowers including jewel shade ranunculus, tulips, anemone, blackberries, seed heads, ferns, autumn leaves, foraged foliage and seasonal berries and greenery. Click through for more autumn flower arrangement ideas you'll love to make #frombritainwithlove #mybritainwithlove #britishflowers #autumnflowerideas #autumnleaveslove this seasonal autumn flower arrangement on vintage metal chair using berries, autumn leaves, foraged greenery and flowers. #frombritainwithlove #mybritainwithlove #britishflowers #autumnflowerideas #autumnleaves

These last two ideas by Sarah are beautiful in their simplicity. Individual blooms and bits of foliage arranged in jars or small vessels create an informal look that I really love. The perfect way to display snippings from walks along the hedgerow.

simple jam jar flowers for autumn. click through for more seasonal flower ideas and step by steps to create seasonal simple flower arrangements using autumn blooms including dahlias, dried flowers, herbs and foliage #autumn #flowers #britishflowers simple flowers for autumn. click through for more seasonal flower ideas and step by steps to create seasonal simple flower arrangements using autumn blooms including dahlias, dried flowers, herbs and foliage #autumn #flowers #britishflowers

Photo credit: Eva Nemeth.

Eva Nemeth

See more of Eva’s beautiful work in this inspiring guest blog post she wrote for us : Flower Photography Tips and Ideas by Eva Nemeth.

This beautiful dahlia photograph by Eva is available as a card. Eva offers a range of workshops, courses and photography services.

autumn flowers dahlias seasonal flatlay photography by eva nemeth click through for lots of other inspiring autumn flowers ideas by my favourite creatives #autumn #flowers #seasonal #fall #dahilas #frombritainiwithlove

Simply by Arrangement

Sarah Statham of Simply by Arrangement grows flowers up in her Yorkshire cutting garden and offers a range of inspirational courses and classes. She has a painterly way with the arrangements she creates. Check out her Simply by Arrangement instagram page for lots of ideas.

I’ve picked out these two Autumnal lovelies created using British seasonal flowers. Dahlias, coreopsis, cosmos, grasses, rosehips and seasonal foliage combine beautifully.

autumn flowers bouquet dahlias british flowers cosmos #autumn #flowers #bouquet #dahlias #cosmosautumn flowers arrangement coreopsis dahlias british flowers #autumn #flowers #arrangement #britishflowes #frombritainwithlove

Electric Daisy Flower Farm

If you’re in need of creative ideas, Electric Daisy Flower Farm is another great source of inspiration. Love the contrast between the deep Autumnal shades of this arrangement and the acid yellow backdrop.

autumn flower arrangement #autumn #flowers #bouquet #arrangement

Wild Bunch Flowers

I spent a very happy day learning to arrange Spring flowers with Tammy Hall’s Wild Bunch Flowers farm in Shropshire. Read the full post here: Flower arrangement ideas using Spring flowers from an English cutting garden

Tammy offers a range of seasonal courses as well as flowers for events as well as selling flowers from the shepherd hut in her garden on Fridays

She has a natural, light touch with her arrangements and is inspired by the wild, natural beauty around her.

I love this beautifully simple Autumn arrangement Tammy created with the last of the dahlias, chocolate cosmos and seasonal foliage. 

autumn flower arrangement dahlias chocolate cosmos #autumn #flowers #arrangement #ideas #britishflowers

Henthorn Farm Flowers

These two ideas using dried flowers and findings are by Kirsten of Henthorn Farm Flowers. Getting creative with dried flowers is a great way to go and hugely popular right now.

autumn dried flower wreath autumn dried flower wreath

For more ideas and for tips on drying your own flowers, Bex Partridge has written her indispensable guide: Everlastings, which is available to buy on Amazon here

everlastings dried flowers book bex partridge - how to dry and create with dried flowers

Chapters include how to harvest and dry your own everlasting dried flowers and lots of creative ideas to enjoy making. I’ve picked out this Ethereal Wreath to give you a flavour of the inspiration to be had. It’s made using a vintage soil riddle, and attaching dried flowers, leaves and seed heads to lengths of fine bullion wire attached to the mesh of the riddle. 

dried flower hanging flower garland by bex partridge from the everlastings book. click through for lots more creative ideas with fresh and dried flowers #autumn #flowers #garlands #frombritainwithlove

Kate Langdale

Finally I had to share these ideas by wonderful Brighton florist Kate Kangdale:

love these bright orange and red autumn flowers with chinese lantern and red berries by Kate Langdale click through for loads more creative autumn flower ideas you'll lovelove these autumn wreaths with hydrangea pampas grass and willow by kate langdale florist brighton. click through for loads more creative autumn flower ideas you'll love

The wonderful giant Autumn wreaths pictured above are decorating wonderful Hove venue The Townhouse. Atmospheric and quirky, The Townhouse is where inspirational artist and author Philippa Stanton invited us to celebrate the launch of her book Consciously Creative. You can read all about the wonderful day we spent with her there – and see lots of photos of the wonderful flower installations created for the event by Kate Langdale – over on the blog here: Conscious Creativity by Philippa Stanton @5ftinf

Floret Flower Farm

I do realise that Erin and her team at Floret are not UK-based. They are inspirational growers and flower creatives over the Atlantic in Washington state’s beautiful Skagit Valley. But I include her because she has been such an inspiration for so many in the British Flowers community of growers and creatives. 

erin benzacain floret flower farm autumn fall flower course free and flower arrangement ideas you'll love #autumn #flowers #fall #floret #free #course #frombritainwithlove

Also, I don’t want you to miss out on her upcoming free Fall mini course. But you haven’t got long… registration closes on 28th September 2020. The course is designed to help you grow some of Erin’s favourite cut flowers: tulips, ranunculus, anemones and dahlias.

It’s a four-part video-based course that will pop into your email inbox after you sign up.

I followed one of Erin’s tutorials about dahlia splitting last year and the results were amazing! I’d started out with 9 bulbs and this year I had over 30 plants – all covered in flowers.

This arrangement gives you an idea of the seasonal loveliness you’ll find over in the Floret Flower Farm world.

autumn flower arrangement floret flowers dahlias, crab apples, autumn fall leaves and foliage as well as hips and seasonal colour. Click through for more autumn fall flower ideas as well as links to sign up for the free fall flower course with floret #autumn #flowers #fall #floret #frombritainwithlove

I hope you’ve found something to inspire you here – whether you were moved to create something dramatic in a fabulous vintage urn, or super-simple but every bit as beautiful in a jam jar. In these troubled times of ours right now, moments of joyful creativity are more precious than ever, aren’t they? 

You can discover much more about Erin’s story and Floret Flower Farm in my blog post: Floret Farm’s A Year in Flowers

A pin to save to Pinterest

autumn flowers ideas and step by steps to create seasonal simple flower arrangements using autumn blooms including dahlias, dried flowers, herbs and foliage

 


Resources:

The Sussex Flower School is listed in the From Britain with Love Directory

Find out more about what’s on offer at The Sussex Flower School; by checking out their listing here>>

Green and Gorgeous flowers is listed in our directory here

Floribunda Rose is listed in our directory here

The Real Flower Company is listed in our directory here

Wild Bunch Flowers is listed in our directory here

Discover more about Roots & Wings here. Their blackcurrant jam is sublime, so you might like to have a go at baking their delicious Scandinavian Jam Tarts too. Olivia has kindly shared the recipe here: 

Feeling inspired? Take a look at the Creative Workshops category in our Directory, where you’ll find a variety of inspiring courses, from art and crafts to fashion and beauty, interiors, cooking and flower & gardening.

Clare Kelly is a freelance craft journalist, photographer. All workshop images courtesy of Clare Kelly.

This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our blog posts are independent and in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.


In: FLOWERS, MAKE · Tagged: autumn, courses, flower arranging, flowers

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Comments

  1. Kelsey says

    September 3, 2019 at 11:19 am

    So much inspiration! Whenever I’m creating an arrangement I always look for a way to give it a unique twist and whilst I love autumn arrangements there’s only so much orange and brown I can take ! Love the pumpkin arrangement and the idea to add to eucalyptus to give it a contemporary twist… simply fab

    Reply
    • Laura Dunkley says

      September 3, 2019 at 11:36 am

      That’s so good to hear – can’t believe it’s nearly Autumn already!

      Reply

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I'm so glad you're here. I'm Laura - national women's magazine editor and journalist now sharing my passion for sustainable and creative living here. Hope you find something to enjoy and inspire! X

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It’s not too late to sow sweet peas - so easy to It’s not too late to sow sweet peas - so easy to grow and blissfully fragrant in the summer months. 
They were my mum’s favourite flower, so growing them now feels like a precious connection. Especially when I pick some and arrange them in her beautiful old blue and gold jug just as she used to do with the sweet peas my dad grew for her every year.
There are some really handy tips for growing success from founder of The Real Flower Company Rosebie Morton over on the blog (link in bio). Rosebie has a whole farm dedicated to sweet peas near Chichester so she knows a thing or two about the subject!
Main thing I’ve picked up from her is to allow lots of depth for root growth at this stage and to make my own supportive wigwams from twiggy branches when the plants are really starting to go for it and need a bit of direction. This photo is making me yearn slightly.
I love this image of my friend Jo - we were trying I love this image of my friend Jo - we were trying out tiny living for a feature I was writing - this was taken on our way to indulge in a spot of forest bathing. To be totally honest, we were both a little sceptical beforehand. But we were only saying the other day how taken aback we both were by the amazing effect it had. I’m working on some new ideas around the subject - will keep you posted. X
I’m currently working on a redesign of the whole I’m currently working on a redesign of the whole site - which has meant lots of photo editing and reorganising so much content. What’s been lovely (despite the claw hand from so much keyboard work!) is revisiting work and becoming engrossed all over again. I thought I’d share a few of the things I’ve been (re) loving - with links in the bio to the old site for now, but not for long…! X
This  image is from a feature about preserving garden roses. I’m going to give this a really good go this year, now I have a better idea what I’m doing. I know there’s nothing quite like a fragrant fresh rose in Summer but there’s a fragile beauty to dried and preserved flowers that I also love, don’t you?
Snowdrops 🌱🤍 . . . . . . #capturequiet #ins Snowdrops 🌱🤍 
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#capturequiet #instabritain #natureandnourish #thewildernesstonic #cornersofmyworld
Signed copies of Bex Partridge’s new book Flower Signed copies of Bex Partridge’s new book Flowers Forever to be won! My bio has the link to enter as well as to get a peek inside. Beautifully photographed by Laura Edwards, I really enjoyed escaping into the pages and making plans for my own garden - hope you do too! X
To the Moon and Back Hares KNITTING PATTERN by Cla To the Moon and Back Hares KNITTING PATTERN by Claire Garland aka @dotpebbles_knits has to be the perfect post Christmas craft project 😊 
If you fancy getting your needles out to make this adorable pair, the link to buy Claire’s pattern is in my bio. Happy knitting! X
Thank you so much to Sarah @floribundaroseflorists Thank you so much to Sarah @floribundaroseflorists for a wonderful wreath making workshop yesterday. Such a special and creative space to spend time. I loved making my wreath - I went for a mixture of greenery arranged quite randomly with red waxed fresh apples, dried hydrangea, dried flowers, poppy and nigella seed heads and a winter white velvet bow. 
There were so many wonderful ingredients to choose from we were really spoiled for choice. 
Sarah’s new studio is such a beautiful, creative space. Think fragrant botanical candles flickering everywhere, mulled wine and apple juice simmering on the stove and containers full of fragrant festive greenery, waxed fruit, dried flowers and oranges, pine cones, lichen covered branches and even tiny gold wax-dipped fresh crab apples. 
Thank you for being so patient with my lengthy ribbon choice deliberations Sarah - and for bagging up a second choice option (dusky pink) to take home! X.  #wreathmaking #wreath #wreathsofinstagram #sustainablewreaths #wreathdecor #christmaswreath #velvetribbon #christmasdecor #festiveflowers
I’ve loved Olga Prinku’s work for ages now - s I’ve loved Olga Prinku’s work for ages now - she came up with the genius idea of embroidering on tulle using nature as her thread - and the results are sublime - like this Autumn colours beauty from her latest book.
I’m delighted that Olga is offering a fantastic prize bundle to my readers. For a chance to win one of her beautiful new dried flower embroidery kits (in collaboration with @driedandfloral ) as well as a signed copy of her wonderful new book(published by @quadrillebooks , pop over to my blog (link in my bio). It’s easy to enter so why don’t you give yourself a chance of winning this very lovely prize? Good luck! 
#driedflowers #driedflowerembroidery #olgaprinku #embroideryhoop #flowerembroidery #competitiontime #signedbooks #embroideryart #flowersontulle #autumn #autumncolours #hoopart #allthingsbotanical #instacraft
This beautiful image is by Laura Pashby @circleofp This beautiful image is by Laura Pashby @circleofpines and is from her beautiful new book Little Stories of Your Life. 
It’s packed with inspiration and practical ideas to help you become a visual story teller. Because, as Laura says, it’s the little moments that make up the fabric of all of our lives - and those moments are worth capturing and sharing with others.
We have three signed copies of the book to give away - just click the link in my bio to find out more. There’s a peek inside and a lovely film by @xantheb to enjoy too! X 
#littlemoments #littlestoriesbook #alifeofwords #lostinwords #competition #booksarelife #mindfulphotography #bookstagram #booksmakemehappy #booksconnectus #igreads #whatareyoureading #signedbooks
Thanks to Lisa from @inthemaking_aprons who has sh Thanks to Lisa from @inthemaking_aprons who has shared her wonderfully creative ideas for visibly mending well-loved clothing in need of repair and a little TLC.
She had me at ‘sometimes I like to use giant sequins…’ 
Hope you like Lisa’s ideas as much as I do. The link to head over to my blog and get all her step by steps is in my bio x
Thank you @therealflowerco for these heavenly swee Thank you @therealflowerco for these heavenly sweet peas - the perfect way to celebrate #britishflowersweek 
I just wish I could share the blissful fragrance with you too 💕🌸
#locallygrownflowers #flowersofinstagram #supportlocal #britishflowersweek2021 #britishseasonalflowers #flowersfromthefarm #sweetpeas
This heavenly knitted lamb is by Claire Garland ak This heavenly knitted lamb is by Claire Garland aka @dotpebbles_knits and just one of the creative spring projects you might enjoy immersing yourself in right now. To discover other inspirational ideas and to get all the info you need - including this free pattern by Claire - click the link in my bio. Hope you find something that brings you a little seasonal joy x
Thanks to Erin at @floretflower for sending me a s Thanks to Erin at @floretflower for sending me a surprise signed copy of her dreamy new book Discovering Dahlias - and another signed copy to share with one of you. 
To enjoy a peek inside - and for a chance to win - click the link in my bio. 
The truly beautiful photographs (including this one) are all by Erin’s husband Chris Benzakein #discoveringdahlias #floretflowerfarm #dahliasofinstagram #flowersgivemepower #giveawayuk
Thanks to @sarahravenperchhill for sharing a beaut Thanks to @sarahravenperchhill for sharing a beautifully simple way to arrange snowdrops and other early spring flowers over on the blog (link is in my bio). I’ve already made my own simple flower grid using foraged twigs and it works brilliantly! 
As well as sharing her simple step by steps, there’s also a video tutorial where Sarah shares more inspiring ideas for creating with early spring flowers. The beautiful photographs are by @jonathanbuckleyphotography - hope you enjoy! X
Last call to enter our Pippa Greenwood Grow Your O Last call to enter our Pippa Greenwood Grow Your Own gift bundle competition!
My favourite #gardenersquestiontime panellist @pippa.greenwood offers a range of totally brilliant Grow Your Own gift bundles - which include garden-ready veg plants sent out at the right time for planting, email growing advice, tips and recipes from Pippa herself as well as signed copies of The Gardener’s Year. It’s the perfect gift for anyone interested in growing their own fresh produce - and comes with the best expert advice!
We have two Pippa Greenwood GYO gift bundles to be won - the link to enter the competition, and to find out more is in my bio - Good luck!
Last call for anyone who’d like to enter our Cla Last call for anyone who’d like to enter our Claire Garland Christmas Mouse knitting pattern competition. The link to enter is the top one in my bio. Good luck!
If you’re finding the world a somewhat shouty an If you’re finding the world a somewhat shouty and overwhelming place right now, you might like to get behind Sarah Corbett @craftivists new project - she’s crowdfunding to create the final part of her Craftivism trilogy: the Craftivist Collective Handbook. It will be a beautiful hardback with 20 gentle protest Craftivist projects and tools to help readers become positive and effective change makers. Because slow and gentle can be more effective in the long run than fast and loud. I am 100% behind Sarah’s project and have no doubt that those of us in the crafty, creative community have plenty to contribute when it comes to making a better, fairer world. 
Stitching a powerful message can be  more effective than shouting it at someone who’s not listening to you. If you’d like to get involved or find out more, follow the top link in my bio.
Thanks to @botanical_tales for sharing beautiful d Thanks to @botanical_tales for sharing beautiful dried flower wreath ideas over on the blog - link in bio. I love this dried mini wreath as natural gift wrapping decoration (you can buy ready-made too) - all the links are in the post.
Thanks too to Kirsten @henthorn_farm_flowers for sharing her step by steps for creating a stunning giant foraged dried flower wreath as well as her beautiful simple wreath in silvery winter whites. 
I’m increasingly obsessed with the idea of growing my own flowers for drying and creating lovely things with them. Watch this space for more dried flower inspiration coming soon... X
One of the joyful things about this time of year f One of the joyful things about this time of year for me is making plans for next spring and summer in my flower cutting garden. After two years of growing cut flowers, I’m ready for some fresh ideas and to raise my game a little more. I would like to fill some gaps in shape and colour and to extend the flowering season in particular. I’d also like to start drying and preserving my flowers... so I am thrilled that Kirsten of @henthorn_farm_flowers has shared a beautiful glimpse into her seasonal and sustainable flowery world as well as lots of fantastic expert tips and ideas over on the blog - the link is in my bio. I hope you find some inspiration too. Kirsten lives in a very beautiful part of the world - the Ribble Valley in Lancashire. It’s an area very close to my heart as I grew up not far away. Loved spending a little virtual time there again, thanks to Kirsten - and I am yearning to go back in person one day soon and breathe it all in again.
To be honest, I’m still clinging on to the last To be honest, I’m still clinging on to the last moments of Summer. I do always eventually embrace Autumn but, this year in particular, I’m wanting to hold on for as long as possible to the quiet bliss of the last few months. 
I do really worry about what lies ahead for us all, but spending time outdoors, connecting, really up close, to what’s going on in the garden definitely helps. I still have roses, sweet peas, snapdragons, zinnias, asters and LOTS of dahlias blooming so there are always jars and jugs of flowers on every available surface. Rose geranium leaves have been a revelation for adding a fragrant green frilliness - and now I’m full of love for abelia. 
This beautiful photo is by @gandgorgeousflowers and captures the between-seasons beauty in the flower garden right now. I am inspired to create something similar as I have many of the same colours. 
I do realise that it’s silly (and utterly pointless 😂) to resist Autumn as it’s actually one of the most beautiful times of year. As soon as the leaves really turn, and everywhere starts to smell like Autumn, I’m sure I’ll be fully on board. 
With that in mind, I’ve shared lots of inspiring Autumn Flowers ideas over on the blog (link in my bio) from some of my favourite flower creatives including @gandgorgeousflowers @simplybyarrangement @therealflowerco @wildbunchflowers @floribundaroseflorists @thesussexflowerschool @electricdaisyflowerfarm 

Hope you enjoy - and find a little bit of creative inspiration too. X

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