“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade”
Another month gone and not sure where that one went - again. On paper it wasn’t a particularly busy month but the weeks have been full. And hasn’t the weather been fab? Everything is better in the sunshine.
The month started with a wedding. A wedding that’s been postponed a few times in the last couple of years. But we got there eventually. It was lovely palette of vintage hues. Soft mauves and pinks. I must confess it’s one of my favourite mixes and it means I get to go play with two of my favourite roses - the blush of quicksand and the blue of amnesia. It’s a match made in heaven. And best of all the sun was out and it was my first outside ceremony of the year.
Spring is definitely the theme of the month. I “popped” up to Bristol for a spring shopping spree. Filled the van to the brim with some beautiful blooms and oodles of plants and spring bulbs Now the shop is starting to warm up a bit (well it’s above freezing in there most days ) it’s time to fill it with houseplants. Lots of your favourites (blue ferns, succulents, spider plants) and some newbies; Oxalis triangularis, moonshine sanseveria
And with this sunshine, who can resist some pretty spring bulbs. Muscari- in white and blue and some scented miniature daffodils. Perfect for inside or out.
Normally I’m a lone wolf working by myself week in week out. But this month I’ve have a variety of company. First up - an incredible six former on work experience. Only in for a couple of days but I must say how impressed I was with her. Confident, mature and great customer service. Nothing like me when I was a teenager! She also tried to share with me the dark art of video editing for social media. Watch this space…..
Mothers Day is of course a key date in the florists calendar. I do have to limit myself and learn to say “no” as there is only so much I can do. Plenty of pre planning. And prep and the other “p”s of position and perform. I have to say I actually really enjoyed this Mother’s Day. So so many beautiful bouquets so many beautiful flowers, beautiful messages - and a day of beautiful sentiment to celebrate mothers and mother like figures in peoples lives. And a touch of rare smugness - it went without a hitch!
I owe some special thanks of Mother’s Day organisation to the return of my Christmas elf, Aimee. Some of you may remember her from helping me out in the shop on the run up to Christmas. So it was great to have her back at another busy time.
I have to say that with both Aimee and Lani who are 15 and 16 respectively- I was so amazed by their commitment, their performance, aptitude and ability. They are both girls that will go far in this world and I confess changed my view of the “yoof” of today.
I was still sweeping the floors following the mayhem of Mother’s Day when we had the first outdoor setup of the season for a wedding at scenic Sandycove. The pergola overlooking the ocean is a stunning setting. Roses, English grown tulips and exotic orchids worked wonderfully together within the colour scheme. But once again I was not alone because I now have the pleasure of introducing a new recruit to the Church Park Flowers team - Beth. She’s my Kickstarter. Part of a government apprentice scheme, Beth will be onboard to learn the ropes and discover if the life of a florist is for her! I’m sure she’ll pop up frequently in my monthly musings but if you’re in the area make sure you pop in to say “hi” and make her feel welcome (she likes chocolate biscuits too!)
So an organised and successful March - buoyed up with some springtime sunshine (snow is forecasted for the start of April!) And with two of us now in the hood you can expect double the output in coming months.