Photographs by Kendra Wilson.
It’s easy to see why a Valentine’s rose once had some cachet. But now roses in February seem unimaginative and frankly a bit strange, since they don’t flower (in the UK at least) until May or June.
Rachel keeps her cut flower business “pretty low key” at this time of year, before the cutting garden becomes more productive in March. However, there is still plenty to choose from: the hellebore, euphorbia, rosemary, and mauve stocks shown here are from the garden at Doddington.
The makings of a February bouquet. The latter provides a contrasting foliage to the acid green euphorbia.
White Anemone ‘The Bride’ from Fens in Lincolnshire, home to many traditional flower growers and nurserymen.
Shown here, ornamental cabbage ‘Crane’s White’, again sourced from Fens, where it would have been raised in an unheated glasshouse.
Putting it all together.
“When all the plant material has been used, bring the posy together and tie it tightly where you’ve been holding it,” says Rachel.
“Luscious, dark hellebores contrast with the pretty pink cabbages,” says Rachel.
“Catkins create movement,” says Rachel. This curly hazel is from a friend’s garden, but the usual variety is all over the hedgerows right now, as is berried ivy.