Why we Love Working with British Flowers

Lately I’ve been noticing how often flowers pop up in everyday life — in supermarkets, on TV, and all over social media. But so many of them are wrapped in plastic, dyed in strange, unnatural colours, and almost look artificial. It makes me a little sad, because I know that for a lot of people, this is what flowers have come to mean.

For me, flowers have always been so much more. Over the years, I’ve had the joy of working with thousands of stems — both in my own work and alongside other florists. Every flower has its own way of shining, of giving its very best, no matter how it has been grown.

This August has been an absolute treat for me as a florist. I’ve worked with the most beautiful selection of British flowers — dahlias, scented roses, cosmos, phlox, sweet peas, and so many more. I’ve also used some imported flowers, but the difference between them is something I feel every single time I pick up a stem.

British flowers just feel different. They’re alive with fragrance, soft petals, and a richness of textures. They feel fresh, natural, and seasonal — the kind of flowers that bring true joy whether they’re part of a wedding bouquet in the Lake District, Ribble Valley, or Lancashire, brightening up a home, or offering comfort at a farewell.

Imported flowers can look beautiful, of course, but to me they don’t have the same heart. They often feel tougher, less free, almost as though they’ve been forced into shape. Many are grown using heavy chemicals, which strip away the life and spirit of the flower.

This week, I made many garden-fresh gift bouquets, and I can’t tell you how good it felt. Knowing they were grown without chemicals shone through not just in their beauty, but in how joyful it was to arrange them. It reminded me how much we take for granted — not just with flowers, but with so many things that are grown and produced using chemicals we hardly think about.

In my work as a wedding florist in the Lake District, Ribble Valley, and Lancashire, I use predominantly British flowers, grown organically and with care for the environment. I do still use some imported flowers, but I choose them carefully, sourcing from growers who share the same respect for sustainability and the natural world.

I suppose what I’m trying to say is this: flowers aren’t just “decoration.” They are living, breathing gifts. And when they’re grown with love and care, they don’t just look beautiful — they feel beautiful. That’s the real magic of seasonal, locally grown British flowers.

So if you’re buying flowers, try to choose British-grown, seasonal flowers whenever you can. You’ll not only be supporting local growers, but you’ll also feel the pure joy they bring — fresh, natural, and full of life.

And if you’re planning a wedding in the Lake District, Ribble Valley, or Lancashire, I’d love to create something truly special for you, using flowers that reflect the beauty of the seasons - Lets talk

With seasonal flowers at our heart,
Leeann — Bridge Row Flowers
Wedding Florist in the Lake District, Ribble Valley & Lancashire