{"id":28533,"date":"2023-11-07T17:55:16","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T16:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/1c990ff8-b8d3-48aa-888a-b3c3d6af9f8c"},"modified":"2023-11-07T18:35:06","modified_gmt":"2023-11-07T17:35:06","slug":"the-best-floristry-books-to-read-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/the-best-floristry-books-to-read-in-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"The best floristry books to read in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our reviewers give their verdict on floristry books, giving advice on growing flowers for cutting and arranging. <\/p>

By Veronica Peerless\n <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 07 November 2023 at 16:55 PM<\/p>

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There are many reasons why we should grow our own cut flowers<\/a>. The flowers that we buy from many florists and supermarkets are often flown in out of season from abroad, potentially with the widespread use of chemicals, dubious employee welfare and high carbon emissions. Homegrown cut flowers are local, sustainable and beautiful and can be grown organically<\/a>. They can help us to connect us with the seasons.<\/p>

There are more flower farmers<\/a> in the UK than ever, and many of us are now keen to grow our own cut flowers in our gardens, just as we do our food.<\/p>

The recent bumper crop of flower growing books reflects this trend; we round up the best books on cut flower growing and floristry that we’ve reviewed in Gardens Illustrated<\/em> recently.<\/p>

No space to grow your own flowers? Read about our recommended cut flower subscriptions<\/a>. <\/p><\/div><\/div>

The best floristry books <\/h2>

Cut Flowers: Bloom Gardener’s Guide<\/h3>

by Celestina Robertson<\/strong>Frances Lincoln, \u00a312.99<\/strong>ISBN 978-0711269958<\/strong><\/p>

BEST FOR: Practical advice for beginners<\/strong><\/p>

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Cut Flowers is an almost pocket-sized title that contains a surprising amount of hardworking information from cut flower grower Cel Robertson<\/a>. The book begins by setting the context for why we should grow our own cut flowers, spotlighting the mass-market flower industry. Beyond industry ethics, Cut Flowers<\/em> delivers the promise of its lengthy subtitle with advice on how to prepare the ground, sow seed, nurture, harvest and fill your vases. There is much to know and Robertson packs it in. Read our full review of Cut Flowers.<\/a>Reviewer Rae Spencer-Jones is a garden writer.<\/em><\/p>

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The Cut Flower Source Book: Exceptional Perennials and Woody Plants for Cutting<\/h3>

by Rachel SiegfriedFilbert Press, \u00a335ISBN 978-1739903923<\/strong><\/h4>

BEST FOR: Cutting from your garden and borders<\/strong><\/p>

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With her extensive experience as a gardener, flower grower and florist, Rachel Siegfried, owner of the flower farm Green and Gorgeous in Oxfordshire, has brought together a definitive selection of 128 tried-and-tested woody plants and perennials, including bulbs and climbers, that provide colour and interest for arrangements for each season. Because these plants return each year they require much less work than annuals, and, as Siegfried observes, seem more able to cope with the changing climate. This book will surely become a go-to resource for cut-flower growers looking for a more sustainable way of growing, but it\u2019s also worth delving into if you want to boost the picking potential of your garden borders.Reviewer Louise Curley is a freelance garden and nature writer.<\/em><\/p>

Watch the Cut Flowers from your Garden Gardens Illustrated<\/em> masterclass with Rachel Siegfried<\/a>.<\/h3>
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Flower Philosophy: Seasonal Projects to Inspire & Restore<\/h3>

by Anna PotterWhite Lion Publishing, \u00a320 ISBN 978-0711268579<\/strong><\/h4>

BEST FOR: Whimsical, advanced floristry designs<\/strong> <\/p>

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\"Flower<\/figure>

Anna Potter, the florist behind Swallows & Damsons, is known for her seasonal displays that feature not only flowers but fruit, vegetables, seashells and more. Here, she showcases her craft with varied projects including bouquets, wreaths and installations. Each combines conventional and foraged floral material, and is dramatically photographed, with a flower menu that allows readers to imitate her designs.<\/p>

The section on floristry basics is excellent and will be universally helpful for anyone designing with flowers. Anna\u2019s commitment to sustainability is laudable and the pages on floral mechanics are fascinating, showing how she achieves some of her more complex constructions. <\/p>

Reviewer Charlie Ryrie is a cut-flower grower and florist.<\/em><\/p>

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From Seed to Bloom: A year of Growing and Designing with Seasonal Flowers<\/h3>

by Milli Proust<\/strong>Quadrille Publishing, \u00a320<\/strong>ISBN 978-1787137349<\/strong><\/p>

BEST FOR: Seasonal inspiration<\/strong><\/p>

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The layout and content of this beautiful book reflects the author\u2019s enormously popular social media content to a highly visually literate readership. The practicalities of plot layout, tool kit, and general notes on growing and floristry are dealt with quickly at the beginning of the book, after which Proust takes you through a year divided into eight mini seasons. In a post-pandemic world, many love the idea of growing flowers and creating with them and this fairy-tale inspiration, with step-by-step projects, shows exactly what you\u2019ll need to grow to make them.Reviewer Georgie Newbery is a flower farmer and author, and owner of Common Farm Flowers.<\/em><\/p>

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Flowers Forever: Celebrate the Beauty of Dried Flowers with Stunning Floral Art<\/h3>

by Bex Partridge<\/strong>Hardie Grant Books, \u00a320<\/strong>ISBN 978-1784884345<\/strong><\/p>

BEST FOR: Advice on growing flowers for drying<\/strong><\/p>

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In this book, Partridge argues convincingly that most flowers, grasses<\/a>, foliage<\/a> and seedheads<\/a> can, and should, have a life beyond the freshly picked, and many of them develop a deeper character when they are dried and displayed with imagination. There are clear “What, When & How to Dry” sections on everything from traditional flowers for drying, such as strawflowers to wild grasses. The book itself is a beautiful thing to hold, and the atmospheric photographs by Laura Edwards demonstrates how nothing is off limits, and that dried flowers should not be seen as the gloomy secondbest of winter, but the more dynamic sculptural forms of a wildness that we all need much more of in our lives.Reviewer Caroline Beck is a writer and flower farmer.<\/em><\/p>