Favourite flowers

 One of the first things people ask when they hear I'm a florist is "What's your favourite flower?", and I ponder every time before answering. I wonder through the  garden in my mind (like a mind palace but prettier!) looking to see which to pick. Beautiful blue delphiniums are pretty high on the list and I almost swoon when I see them. The delicious scent of roses and peonies as you take in a deep breath, is just something else. Snowdrops I wouldn't look at twice if they flowered in the summer, but they don't! They flower when the days are cold, wet and grey. A sign of hope. 

I have an emotional response to the flowers I work with. The scent, texture and colour all evoke a different response. Soft pinks, peaches and pale blue flowers make me all dreamy, imagining I'm running through a meadow barefoot. Give me sunflowers, bright orange geums and yellow roses and I turn in to an energetic Tigger, bouncing of the walls.  Hyacinths irritate me, so although I appreciate their beauty, I keep them at a distance. The shape, structure and elegance of white lilies make them one of my favourite to work with, but alas, the smell is too much for me, so no good for the house (the workshop is cold enough to keep the smell down!)

There's a calmness I feel when working with foliage, whether that's scented eucalyptus or shiny palm leaves. It's the foliage that gives structure to the design and also what allows each flower to have it's own space, to be seen. 

Chrysanthemums and carnations aren't very exotic, but they last  longer than many other flowers. In grave pots, where my grand delphiniums  wouldn't manage one winters day, the carnations and chrysanthemums stoically stand.

Don't doubt your value or beauty. You are wonderfully created for a place and a purpose. That might be to carry joy wherever you go, or speak wisdom or bring a calmness that settles others. You may have endurance to stand, giving strength to others who are struggling. You might irritate some people, but that doesn't devalue you. To others you could be their inspiration.

You, my friend, are loved and precious 🌹