Floral delights to brighten up February

Awe-inspiring orchids

For an uplifting dose of warmth and colour head to Kew Gardens’ Thai-inspired orchid festival inside the Princess of Wales Conservatory. A magnificent display of orchids among the sights and sounds of Thailand provides a welcome reprieve from the British winter.
10 February–11 March.
kew.org

White carpet walks

Marvel at the first signs of spring during a snowdrop walk at Rode Hall, Cheshire. With around 70 varieties of this much-loved flower, it can’t fail to make you feel optimistic.
rodehall.co.uk

Early bloomers

If you want a glimpse of spring, look out for
the National Trust Valentine’s Day Flower Count. Last year, Saltram in Devon had the highest number of flowers on 14 February (176 blooms) for the second year running. Gardens in the South West are usually the furthest ahead in the UK.
nationaltrust.org.uk

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Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are plants that just keep giving

From the moment they are planted in spring, they respond to the smallest amount of care (a bit of earth, occasional watering) with vigorous growth, lily-pad-shaped leaves and then, around about now, cheery and abundant blooms. Not only do the flowers look good in the garden as they scramble and tumble about, but they make a pretty, peppery addition to salads, and they can be brought indoors for an instant bit of summery colour. 

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Nest: Lilac

A lilac bush is the most bountiful of plants, festooned with frothy blooms and swathed in a heady scent

Snip off a few branches and bring armfuls inside – it won’t miss them. Put the blooms in a suitable vase, bottle or jug, relish the prettiness of the tiny mauve flowers and inhale deeply. 

Heavenliness ensues. 

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Nest: Tulips

A bunch of spring tulips bought from a pavement flower seller and wrapped in brown paper is one of the most gratifying of purchases.

Bring them home, snip a little off the stems, plunge into a tall, upright vase and suddenly spring has arrived in the kitchen. Buy blooms with tight buds and enjoy watching them as they open and even grow a little. If you want to keep stems upright, place in a vase that covers at least half their height, but we can’t help thinking that the sinuous movement of the stems as they twist towards the light is all part of their charm.

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Flower Power

Our shopkeeper, Louise Gorrod, is putting on a flower show indoors with her pick of bold floral products from The Stuff of Life.

‘From painterly wisteria prints on upholstery fabric to a simply sketched monochrome rose print - this summer blooms aren’t just for the garden. Here are a selection of my favourite floral products from The Stuff of Life that will never wilt or fade.

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Images from top, left to right: Wisteria upholstery fabric by Occipinti, £56.00 per/m | Rose is a Rose Print by One Must Dash, £55.00 | Summer Wallpaper by Sian Zeng, £35.00 per roll | Navy Khanga Flower Drawstring Bag by Lou Hopper, £55.00 | Floral Flutter Cushion by Kith & Kin, £56.00 | RHS Passion Flower Linen Tea Towel from Ulster Weavers, £7.50 | Joules Floral Cup from Quince Living, £12.50 | Flower Field Skirt Apron from Quince Living, £28.00 | Wisteria Tea Cosy by Occipinti, £26.00