A FLOWER farmer and eco florist from Leamington has been chosen to create a floral installation at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.
Nicola Hill started her flower farm and floristry business, Gentle Blooms, two years ago. She grows all her flowers locally without pesticides or chemicals and uses them to create bouquets, wreaths, wedding and funeral flowers using sustainable techniques.
She said: “My flowers are grown without pesticides or chemicals, so they are bee and wildlife friendly. I grow an amazing range of annuals, biennials, perennials as well as bulbs, corms, shrubs and trees. I always have something different and my flowers smell amazing.
“I grow some flowers in my garden but mostly I grow at Bridge Nursery in Napton. I have a background in design, having worked in architecture for many years, and really enjoy creating with flowers. I won a competition to create a design at Strawberry Hill House flower festival last year, which gave me the confidence to enter a design for Chelsea.”
Nicola’s installation will be in the floristry section in the main pavilion.
She continued: “My design is inspired by my flower farm and what can be achieved with British flowers and sustainable mechanics. Starting from the soil that I have improved with organic matter to feed the worms and flowers up through the organically shaped woven willow framework It will showcase the beautiful delicate flowers I grow.
“Being gentle on the planet and not using any pesticides is important and an integral part of why I grow flowers, this will be represented by insects made from natural materials dotted around the design. The willow frame shows what can be achieved with natural materials, I will leave some visible to inspire others to try similar.
“The organic shape represents my environmentally friendly approach to flower farming and my journey growing as a florist and farmer, the pleasure it gives me and the joyful impact it has on my soul.”
Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 22 to May 27.
