How and why we source British-grown flowers through the winter

We’re often asked where our flowers come from during the winter months, so we wanted to share a little more about how we continue to source British-grown flowers at this time of year.

From March through to November, the vast majority of the flowers and foliage we use are grown on our own field. During the winter months, when the pace of growth naturally slows and our field cannot supply everything we need, we turn to a small, trusted network of British growers who share our values and standards.

From the very beginning of Featherstone’s, we made a clear decision: to work exclusively with British-grown flowers and to use foam-free, reusable and environmentally responsible mechanics in all of our

floristry.

Sustainability sits quietly but firmly at the heart of what we do, and this commitment shapes every sourcing decision we make.

Winter floristry in England comes with its challenges. There is simply less available than there is in spring and summer, particularly when compared with florists who rely on imported stems. Rather than seeing this as a limitation, we choose to embrace it.

Winter brings its own quiet beauty — catkins, pussy willow, moss-covered branches, fragrant foliage and the first early flowers beginning to appear. By working with what is available, we can still create flowers that feel natural, seasonal and completely right for the time of year.

We are proud to say that we have remained fully committed to our British-only sourcing, and to supporting the growers who invest in the infrastructure and expertise required to grow flowers through the winter months.

For us, putting sustainability at the heart of what we do was never about being perfect — it was about making changes where we genuinely could, within an industry we love. Choosing to grow with the seasons, to avoid imported flowers, and to support British growers has a very real impact on the carbon footprint of our business. It also allows us to support our clients in having beautiful flowers that feel right for the season, without that beauty coming at the expense of the planet.

This feels especially important to acknowledge now. Cornwall, where two of our long-standing suppliers — Paul and his team at BJ Richards and James and his team at Clowance — has recently suffered significant damage following Storm Goretti. These growers work tirelessly to supply British-grown flowers to florists across the UK, and it is heartbreaking to see the impact this storm has had on their farms and livelihoods. We wanted to send our love, support and sincere gratitude as they begin the long process of rebuilding. Anyone who has experienced storm damage will understand just how much resilience and determination this takes.

Supporting British growers matters more than ever. Choosing a florist who works with British flowers, or simply asking where flowers are grown — even in supermarkets — helps to sustain these businesses. Without that support, many specialist growers simply won’t be able to continue, and the choice of British-grown flowers we value so highly will become harder to find.

What flowers are available in January:

If you’re wondering what is available right now, these are some of the British-grown flowers and plants we are currently working with in January.

• Tulips

• Narcissus

• Ranunculus

• Anemones

• Snapdragons

• Alstroemeria

• Hellebores

• Pussy Willow

• Catkins

• Muscari (on the bulb)

• Camellia flower

• Viburnum tinus

Understanding what is available in winter can be really helpful when planning flowers for this time of year — whether for a gift, a farewell, or an event. We’ll share more in another post about how we supplement our own stems during the summer months, but for now we wanted to focus on winter. If you ever have questions about what is available at a particular time of year, please do ask — we love talking about flowers, and our friendly team is always happy to help by phone or email.