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The beautiful wreath on top of Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s coffin struck a chord with many this week. Viewers around the world were touched and intrigued by the significance of the flowers used \u2013 such as rosemary<\/a>, which symbolises remembrance and English oak<\/a>, which symbolises the strength of love.<\/p>\n The wreath was created using seasonal flowers and foliage cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove. It was created by a well-known (but extremely modest) florist, known for his championing of locally grown, seasonal British flowers. Also at the request of King Charles III, the wreath was made without the use of plastic floral foam, using instead a nest of English moss<\/a>, branches of oak and twine.<\/p>\n \u201cThe wreath was modest in every way, but also majestic,\u201d says Gill Hodgson<\/a>, cut flower grower and founder of Flowers from the Farm, a not-for-profit co-operative of British cut flower growers<\/a>, who we asked to comment on the significance on the arrangement seen by millions of viewers. \u201cIt didn\u2019t overshadow the regalia, but it shone. It was lovely that the King was looking for local flowers that have been sustainably put together\u00a0 \u2013 he has been saying all his life that nature is precious.\u201d<\/p>\n Gill hopes that the wreath could prompt a real sea change in how we view cut flowers<\/a>, especially funeral flowers: there could potentially be a shift towards locally grown flowers, and sustainable alternatives to floral foam. \u201cIt is already happening at a local level, now that there are almost 1,000 cut flower growers around the country. We need the funeral industry to change, because floral foam is so bad for the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt the moment, a lot of people find themselves at the funeral director\u2019s, being shown an A4 laminated sheet with a range of designs for them to choose from,\u201d she explains. \u201cThese are usually the standard six or seven varieties that are not seasonal and often flown in \u2013 carnations<\/a>, lilies<\/a>, gerberas and so on.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, a local flower grower could supply something seasonal and specific to the person who has died, explains Gill. \u201cI\u2019ve filled walking boots<\/a>, used branches from local woodland<\/a> for a person who loved walking there and even created a beautiful display of vegetables<\/a> for a person who hated flowers. You can turn any request around and make it personal.\u201d<\/p>\n Gill mostly uses a base of willow<\/a> and birch<\/a> to make funeral wreaths, which are entirely compostable or biodegradable. \u201cThey take longer to make, and this is reflected in the price,\u201d explains Gill. \u201cI know not everyone can afford that. But you ask a local flower grower for the simplest bunch possible. The flowers don\u2019t have to be arranged, just tied with a bit of ribbon. A simple bunch of snowdrops<\/a> sitting in a hat or on a scarf is an absolutely beautiful tribute.\u201d<\/p>\n She adds: \u201cWhen I get a commission to do a wreath, I pick the flowers the day before, and I\u2019m thinking about the lady or gentleman who has died. It\u2019s so personal, and an honour to be asked. There\u2019s a long way to go, but I think the Queen\u2019s wreath has done a lot for local and sustainable<\/a> flowers. I hope that when it\u2019s their turn to choose final flowers for a loved one, people remember that they can look beyond the funeral director\u2019s standard catalogue.\u201d<\/p>\n