Tulips
A springtime staple, and definitely not to be overlooked. Available in a breadth of colour and shape, there are a number of sensational tulip varieties which make them a statement flower in their own right. Take the unusual Parrot tulip - bold enough to be a single stem in a bud vase, or looks just dynamic en masse. Another favourite is the double tulip - a more decadent variety and an excellent alternative to the popular peony. Tulips are also an essential ingredient in creating the fluid silhouette found in the popular Dutch Masters style, a trend which has seen a surge in popularity over the last few years.

Sweet Pea
We’re sure we don’t need to extol the virtues of this fragrant vine. The gloriously frilly flower is now so numerous in its array of colour and shape that it can sit happily in a foraged, rustic gathering or amongst an ornate bridal bouquet.

Muscari
Adorable muscari (or grape hyacinth as they’re popularly known) often feel like they could be found in a vintage children’s book, nestled next to red and white toadstools. The diminutive but bold little flower holds a special charm reserved for those equally magical varieties such as bluebells, snowdrops and lily of the valley. Weddings featuring a blue colour palette often struggle with finding natural florals to match, however those getting married in spring are in luck - the most common shade of Muscari is that rich powdery blue that lifts our hearts at this time of year.

Lilac
Bundles of lilac are not only celebrated for their gorgeous fragrance but the beautifully natural garden-style they bring to an arrangement or bouquet. The large plumes of pretty flowers are available in whites, pinks and their namesake colour. Enjoy from mid-spring through to early summer.

Narcissi
A true spring icon! We adore the spectrum of sunshine shades so associated with the season - dainty varieties such as Paperwhites are a particular favourite, and look exquisite dotted down an Easter table setting, intertwined with other seasonal gems such a heady hyacinth.

Christmas Door Wreath Workshop 2018

At the flower shop there is nothing that gets us feeling more Christmassy than our festive workshop!

In this entirely hands on course you will learn the traditional method of making a Christmas wreath from scratch. Perfect for anyone who wants to make a professionally arranged wreath a feature for their front door at Christmas, suitable for beginners and more experienced flower fans.

Led by the extremely experienced team of florists at the flower shop you will create and decorate your own stunning natural wreath for you to take home with you at the end of the workshop. It will be made from seasonal spruce, natural materials and foliage. There will be plenty of gorgeous decorations to choose from to adorn your wreath, ranging from dried fruits and cones to berries and ribbons. 

Your wreath will be the perfect size for the front door and will be sure to be admired by all your festive guests.

All materials are included, and throughout the workshop we will offer advice, and guidance on how to get the most of your wreath. We keep the class sizes to a maximum of 12 to make sure everyone on the course receives the highest quality tuition.

Christmas comes but once a year – come and spend it with us.

Location: 

Hythe

Dates: 

28th November 2018

29th November 2018

Time: 

7pm – 8:45pm

Cost: 

£55 per person

Flowers and materials all included.

Our Top 5 Mother’s Day Bouquets

With only days to go, we’re busily preparing for Mother’s Day 2018, this Sunday, March 11th. It is, of course, always a popular period here at theflowershop.

You can order your bouquet, basket or gift vouchers here or call us on 01303 260000 before 2pm for next day delivery.

Please note we will be delivering on Mothering Sunday. All arrangements are made using the freshest materials and where applicable bouquets delivered aqua-packed (with water) for optimum longevity. 

Think Pink

This hand tied mix of the finest pink tulips and hypericum. 

Shop the basket here

Country Garden 

A fantastically fragrant English Country Garden Flower Basket. White Roses, Ammi, Phlox and Asters carefully mixed with lilac Roses and Stocks.

Shop the basket here

English Hedgerow

Using the finest and freshest Purple, lilac and white stems,  your flowers will be hand chosen by us to ensure freshness. 

Shop the bouquet here

Simply Vintage

A delicate and fragrant mix of white Roses and Freesias with lilac Lisianthus and Trachelium, coupled with lavender Statis, green Spray Chrysanthemums and Carnations.

Shop the bouquet here

Fruit Basket

An orchestra of colour in one fabulous flower basket arrangement. Cerise Roses and Gerberas, orange Roses and Germini, purple Lisianthus married with Green Chrysanthemums.

Shop the basket here

It’s Not All About Red Roses on St Valentine’s Day

Red is, without doubt, the predominant colour around the world for many choosing flowers as a romantic gift for St Valentine’s day.  Red signifies love, romance and passion like no other and will forever be in vogue for St Valentine’s day. However, there are a league of other beautiful varieties that will provide an elegant and romantic segway to a lovely Valentine’s Day.....here is a taster of bouquets that can be bought online or in store. As always, we will be very happy to chat you through seasonal choices and recommend a bespoke bouquet for your loved one....  

Evening Christmas Workshop

Discover the fresh and fragrant materials synonymous with the festive season with a fun and fabulous evening dedicated to the delights of Christmas decoration.

The workshop will teach the art of designing and creating a fresh Christmas door wreath.  The classes run on the 28th and 29th of November at 6.45pm (for a 7pm start) until 9pm in Hythe.  

All materials and tools are provided as well as a welcome drink and festive nibbles!! 
Cost £50 per person

Booking is essential - for more information please call 01303 260000, email orders@theflowershophythe.co.uk or pop in to the shop and say hello! 

Wedding Trends...

2. NAPKINS WITH FLOWERS

Details are important! Adding a small but lovely floral arrangement to each napkin can create beautiful composition. Guests will definitely appreciate this gesture.

3. TREES

Tree-like topiaries and potted plants are popular because they add a warm garden feel and height to the room. Baby spruce or tree-like topiaries can serve as centerpieces, while larger ones, like birch trees or lemon trees, can decorate your entrance or the edges of the dance floor.

2. BOLD COLOURS

Daring combinations of bright-on-bright create a stunning, eye-catching contrast. Hot jewel tones like magenta, persimmon, peacock blue or royal purple will give you a rich, luxurious look, especially when teamed with bold blooms like orange dahlias, yellow gerbera daisies and purple orchids.

1. ANEMONE

One of the most popular wedding flowers are anemones. These scentless flowers come in a wide range of jewel-toned colours. The most popular anemones are the ones with white petals and a black centre. Anemones are very modern, but at the same time they will give your dream wedding an absolutely romantic look.

Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets are great for small spaces and a brilliant way to add colour to otherwise drab walls and fences. They are also fabulous for brightening up patios and around doors.

They are also the ultimate container for growing trailing varieties of exotic plants whether they are flowers, vegetables or even interesting foliage.

We stock a variety of hanging baskets which you can choose to purchase fully planted by us or design yourself at home – here are a few tips from us on making the most of your Spring baskets this year.

Planting

Line the basket with fresh moss

Place a saucer in the bottom of the basket to stop water draining straight through.

Half fill the basket with a good quality potting compost, such as Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Enriched Compost Pots & Baskets, specifically designed for containers.

Slip trailing plants through holes made in the side of the liner and cover the roots with more compost.

Plant up the top of the basket with upright bushy plants, making sure you have plenty of trailing ones around the edge too.

If you make the basket look full at planting time it will produce a much more colourful, dramatic display.

Feeding

Good quality composts such as a moisture controlling compost contain slow-release plant foods that will feed your plants for up to 6 months. Most other composts will run out of steam early and weekly feeding will be necessary if your plants are to flourish throughout the summer and autumn.

To feed just once a season use a product such as Miracle-Gro Continuous Release Plant Food Tablets into the compost to feed your plants for the next 6 months. Use four in a standard 30cm (12in) basket, five in a 35cm (14in) and six in anything larger. If you prefer to feed your plants regularly and want fantastic results, then use a soluble plant food or liquid concentrate. Regular feeding will reward you with big, beautiful baskets full of colour for months on end.

Perfect plants for Hanging Baskets

Flowers: Fuchsia, Petunia, Verbena, Geranium (Pelargonium), Impatiens, Lobelia, Tuberous Begonia, Bidens.

Foliage: Coleus, Cineraria, Felicia, Helichrysum, Lamium, Nepeta, Sage.

Vegetables and other edibles: Tomatoes (Tumbler), Strawberry, Chive, Thyme, Marjoram.

All of the products detailed above are available to purchase at The Flower Shop. You can see a selection of our hanging baskets here  

Easter Flowers

Easter flowers make for a beautiful gift or are a lovely addition to the Easter dinner table but there are a few traditional Easter flowers that signify the occasion and the season. Keep reading to find your perfect Easter blooms..

Easter Colours

Any flowers can be beautiful for Easter but those with Spring hues make for the perfect traditional bloom. Yellows, pale pinks and peaches are beautiful colours for the occasion.

Daffodils

Daffodils are a traditional Easter flower and are associated with the wonderful season of spring. They brighten up any room and signify new beginnings, rebirth and the coming of spring.

Hyacinths

Hyacinths are a Spring favourite making them perfect for Easter. Colours can range from the classic deep indigo to bright magentas, lighter pinks and purples and white. For many people, the flower brings back memories of warmer weather, sunshine and most importantly, the end of winter. 

Tulips

This flower is on trend for Easter. The beautiful Spring hues make this flower the perfect traditional gift or table centre for Easter. The beauty and grace of a simple Tulips means the flower has become a symbol for meanings like enduring love, regal nature, abundance, prosperity, and indulgence.

A GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE PERFECT VALENTINE’S DAY BOUQUET

We are being flooded with emails, calls and visits from gentleman who seem to have got themselves in a bit of a flurry over Valentine’s Day.  ‘I don’t know my rose from my tulip; what if she doesn’t like it; how big is too big? Just some of the questions we are being asked.

Choosing a bouquet which says ‘I love you’ to that special someone in your life doesn’t have to be a panic of multiple decisions.  Flowers represent love and happiness, not nerves and stress – and this is where the flowershop is here to help.  Follow our simple steps and you’ll spend the day blissfully in love and she’ll spend the day in awe of her beautiful flowers, chosen exclusively by YOU.

Which flowers should I choose?

Roses are the most popular for Valentine’s, they are the symbol of romantic love and enduring passion.  Each colour rose has a different meaning and the amount of roses given also has a different meaning.  Our sumptuous bouquet of 50 Naomi red roses will delight  See our Fabulously Romantic Bouquet , Give a single rose for love at first sight or 12 for perfection and completeness. See our 12 red rose bouquet here.

Tulips are the flower of spring and is fast become a popular choice.  Like roses, each colour tulip has a different meaning.  Red tulips mean ‘believe me’ and are a declaration of true love. Yellow tulips mean ‘there’s sunshine in your smile’ and cheerful thoughts. Cream coloured tulips mean ‘I will love you forever.’  Purple tulips symbolize royalty. Pink tulips mean affection and caring and orange tulips mean energy, enthusiasm, desire, and passion.  See our Romantic Spring Tulip Bouquet.

 Which colour will she like?

You know she loves the colour pink? Then there’s your starting point.  Depending on which bouquet you choose, you can have a multiple of choices.  Match the bouquet to her favourite handbag or pair of shoes.  Or simply choose based on the meaning of each colour:

The meaning of red Roses

The traditional gift for valentines, and as most of us know Red Roses symbolise love, romance and are the perfect bloom to simply say ‘I love you’. These flowers are our best sellers on Valentine’s day and we can understand why, it’s a timeless, classic valentine’s gift.

The meaning of white Roses

The white rose represents unity, virtue purity and new beginnings of love making it now most commonly known as the bridal flower but it also makes it the perfect gift to express your love to that special person in your life but their quiet beauty has also made them a gesture of remembrance, honour and reverence, which makes them a beautiful memorial for a departed loved one. Whether stately or sombre, the white rose is a perfect way to say, “I’m thinking of you.”

The meaning of pink Roses

The pink hues radiate the meaning of elegance, grace, admiration and appreciation. This makes it the perfect valentine’s gift for any stage in a relationship, maybe this is for someone you admire? or show gratitude for your many years of true love, it’s the perfect valentine’s gift for your wife. Why not add the meaning to a gift card, this way the recipient can really appreciate the thought and meaning behind their gift.

What do Lilies mean?

There are a few different meanings for the Lily which can vary on type, however, one of the most common connotations is humbleness and devotion, with this meaning you can express your devotion to your loved one through a bloom.

The meaning of Orchids

During the Victorian age, orchids were only found in the tropics and were extremely rare. Therefore, Victorians would collect exotic orchids as a sign of luxury and refined taste. When given as a gift, the rarer the orchid, the deeper your love and passion was for the receiver but they are more commonly regarded as emblems of integrity, elegance and friendship as well as portraying rare and delicate beauty.

How big is too big?

Every girl loves flowers, no matter how big or small. Don’t panic about having to carry or hide them somewhere though, we offer a fabulous local delivery to all of our customers.

I’m still confused!

Head over to the flower shop’s online shop here and choose from a gorgeous selection of Valentine’s bouquets, ready to sweep someone of their feet including our subscriptions so that your loved one can receive a bouquet once a month! See our monthly subscriptions here

THE STORY OF ST. VALENTINE

Although the origins of Valentine’s Day are shrouded in mystery, like so much of our culture many believe it can be traced back to the Ancient World. It is not even certain which of three Saint Valentines the day actually honours, but it is most often associated with the story of a young priest living in the Roman Empire. He became famous for continuing to secretly marry young lovers, even though Emperor Claudius II had forbidden younger citizens from marrying because married men were supposedly distracted from military service! When news of Valentine spread, he was jailed and sentenced to death. While imprisoned, he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. Legend has it that, on the night of his execution, he handed her a love letter, signed ‘from your Valentine’.Valentine’s Day is celebrated at a time of year that is associated with love and fertility in pagan religions, and brides in Ancient Rome wore wreaths of picked flowers and also herbs to symbolize the same. Other flowers associated with various types of love include tulips, roses, primrose, purple lilac, jasmine, aster and balsam. Some archaeologists even claim that flower fossils found in caves suggest the tradition of sending flowers dates back to the prehistoric period! For our full range of bouquets and other gifts available for local delivery, visit our online shop or contact us on 01303 260000 or pop in and say hello! 

A new month, a new year and a happy introduction to 2017.

With the tinsel and Christmas trees dispatched, January is a great time to indulge ourselves in masses of tulips because they are very lovely and also because, well frankly, who doesn’t ADORE tulips? Our bouquet has been expertly arranged with seasonal foliage and is available to buy in store, and is guaranteed to welcome in the new year with style. Click here to see our selection online or give us a call to design a bespoke bouquet on 01303 260000. 

Wreaths and Garlands

Nothing looks more inviting than a festive wreath on your front door. A nod to time-honoured traditions, they have come to encompass the welcoming spirit of Christmas. We’ve everything from traditional fir, one’s full of vibrant colours, lots of sparkle, clean and modern and for a truly bespoke wreath, come in or give us a call to personalise yours this Christmas.

FESTIVE TRADITION

Keep it traditional with this elaborate piece. Inspired by the Victorian practice of using fruit as decoration, the fragrant dried fruit and cinnamon sticks on this wreath will fill your home with a warming spiced scent. 

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Pared-back and understated, this wreath is a homage to the countryside, with its natural, authentic look.   

A SHIMMERING STATEMENT

It'll instantly feel like Christmas with glittering and sparkling adorned decorations on a traditional wreath. 

VIBRANT FRUITS

The perfect piece for creating a colourful, warm, seasonal welcome that will transform any door. 

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS  

A beautiful heart wreath will provide a warm welcome for friends and family as they approach the home this Christmas. 

Flowers for a Year: The Ultimate Flower Lover’s Gift

For a unique Christmas gift this season, we are offering the ultimate dream present for flower lovers – a monthly signature flowershop bouquet for three months, six months or a whole year! Some Christmas gifts come and some Christmas gifts go, but this is the gift that keeps on coming – every month! The bouquet will reflect the very best seasonal flowers available and will be created by hand by one of our talented florists, and delivered direct to the one you love. On purchasing this gift, either online, on the phone or in person – you can specify the length of the subscription and the size of the bouquet. Please note that the delivery area covers: CT18, CT19, CT20, CT21, TN28, TN29. 

CLASSIC PACKAGE - THREE MONTH SUBSCRIPTION

Our classic package is perfect those that will delight in fresh, seasonal flowers. This will include 3 separate bouquets and will guarantee a tantalising selection of flowers for a truly wonderful monthly treat.  Click here to order: Three month subscription

PREMIUM PACKAGE - SIX MONTHS SUBSCRIPTION

Our Premium package is perfect for those that have a real passion for flowers. This will include a fabulous selection of flowers with 6 very special bouquets.  Click here to order:  Six month subscription

LUXURY PACKAGE - TWELVE MONTHS SUBSCRIPTION

This is the ultimate treat for serious lovers of flowers. This unique and luxurious gift  is perfect for those who want to make a very special statement. Our luxury package includes an abundance of the most wonderful flowers, 12 totally voluminous bouquets, that will bring the very best of the season’s blooms – winter, spring, summer and autumn – for a whole year! Click here to order: One year subscription

Here are the flower shop’s top 5 Halloween flower ideas!

Flowers are a beautiful yet alternative way to add a little bit of Halloween into your home, there are many ways in which you can do this and we are going to give you some inspiration on how to incorporate flowers into your Halloween décor.

PUMPKINS

We are sure many of you are going to buy pumpkins to carve this year, but how about using one as a vase? Simply scoop out the middle and add a container with water then arrange your Halloween flowers or succulent plants! You could also paint the Pumpkin, add your own colours and designs to suit your home or party theme, it’s also a great way to get the kids involved.

EYEBALLS

Add a fake eyeball to the centre of your flowers to add a creepy effect, your guests will certainly feel watched! You are going to need a flower that has enough petal structure to hold it in there, roses are perfect for this. 

WREATHS

Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas! This is a great way to add something a little different to the exterior or your home and keep in with the Halloween festivities. There are so many ways that you could decorate this, with skulls, mini witches, fake blood, ‘trick or treat’ signs, you can basically stick anything you like on this, we think blood red roses are the perfect addition to give that spooky feel.

SKULLS

Skulls are the perfect spooky symbol and can be incorporated beautifully into any floral arrangement. As shown above, simply use the skull as a vase to make your arrangement perfect for any Halloween party theme. 

Accessories

This is a simple yet effective way to add a little Halloween to your bunch of flowers. Add Halloween accessories to your flowers such as fake spiders, witch fingers, cobwebs, anything you can think off and turn your average bouquet into the perfect Halloween flowers! 

All of the above ideas can be incorporated in a way that suits you best and will allow you to get a little creative! Looking for some flowers to use for any of the above creations? Why not pop in, leave a message or give us a call!

Happy Halloween all!

Rebecca and Team