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Ditch the plastic and go blooming retro says celebrity florist Jonathan Moseley

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Celebrity florist Jonathan Moseley to champion eco floristry tips at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show

With growing concerns about single-use plastics, celebrity florist Jonathan Moseley will be showcasing his top floristry eco hacks at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show next week (13-15 September), ditching the floral foam, and embracing natural and retro alternatives.

He will champion how to prune out single-use plastic foam. This moisture-retentive, lightweight ‘anchor’ for flowers has been the go-to floristry staple since it was invented in the 1950s but as it is non-biodegradable, eco-conscious arrangers are now seeking alternatives.

Jonathan will encourage show visitors to embrace sustainable substitutes for arranging that can still add a ‘wow’ to both simple and more ambitious flower displays but are easier on the environment.

Many of the techniques the renowned floral designer and founder of #flowertalk will be using hark back generations and will include:

  • Twigs and branches- made into a biodegradable ‘nest’ to give blooms gentle support
  • Damp sand – placed at the bottom of a vase to anchor stems
  • Chicken wire – formed into a ball to fit inside a container
  • Woven wool or raffia frames – make-your-own or buy these cobweb-like frames that give great support for arrangements
  • Upcycled vintage charity shop finds with glass flower roses, pinholders and 1920s-style flower rings.

Jonathan said: ” You can still achieve a huge variety of different styles and compositions by adopting alternative, reusable methods of arranging your flowers. The current trend for arranging flowers is to allow them to evoke their natural charm and simplicity by working in harmony with nature, as opposed to trying to tame or control it.”

As an ambassador for British flowers, and with the onset of Autumn, Jonathan will be encouraging the use of locally-sourced seasonal foliage and berries plus time-honoured favourites such as dahlia, gladioli, chrysanthemums and roses, all of which will be on display by the specialist societies at Harrogate.

Jonathan Moseley will be leading two floristry workshops a day at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show at 11am and 3pm. More details on www.jonathan-moseley.com.

ENDS

For further information contact Emma Mason on emma@emmamasonpr.co.uk 07762 117433

Notes for Editors:

Jonathan Moseley is one of the country’s most respected horticulturalists, with a reputation for being at the cutting edge of floristry. His passion for gardening and flowers bloomed when he was just eight. His earliest memories are sowing and growing flowers with his grandfather and visiting the local flower shows together. By 11, he had his own greenhouse, supplying plants to family and friends – and even the local village shop. At 13, he was making his own mark at horticultural shows, winning a bevy of trophies for his floral finesse.

It is this life-long devotion to nurturing the perfect specimen that has seen him become a key figure in the British floristry industry. After university, Jonathan began running a highly successful chain of flower shops, dividing his time between the businesses and demonstrating and teaching.

Today, he continues to offer tuition to packed audiences across the UK and Europe with an extensive corporate and private client list, including the Royal Horticultural Society. Event flowers are his speciality and, constantly embracing the latest trends and techniques, he is able to create magical and unique displays. Renowned for his humour, charisma and great stage presence, he became Floral Expert on BBC TV’s ‘Big Allotment Challenge’ in 2014.

With 25 years in the floristry industry under his belt, it is his Derbyshire garden that allows him to stay down to earth – and it remains his central inspiration. Here, hands-on growing and a treasure trove of foliage and flowers continue to enhance many of his distinctive floral creations. “I remain fascinated by being able to sow an absolutely tiny little seed and know that, with a bit of care and nurture, it can manifest itself into this amazing colourful plant,” he says.

 

 

 

Orchid display in the Great Conservatory at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show

Largest ever display of Britain’s favourite to wow at RHS Chatsworth

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Is the nation being gripped again by a passion for orchids like their Victorian counterparts?

They are Britain’s favourite indoor plant with millions being sold every year. Victorians were obsessed with these beautiful blooms too and in a nod to their so-called ‘orchidelirium’, over 5,000 British-grown moth orchids will take centre stage at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show this summer in the largest display of its kind.

Jonathan Moseley at RHS Chatsworth with Double H orchids
Jonathan Moseley at RHS Chatsworth with Double H orchids

Orchids of every description will fill a 21st century version of Chatsworth’s Great Conservatory, originally built by celebrated head gardener Joseph Paxton in the Victorian era, at the show (6-10 June). In this immersive floral extravaganza, large contemporary chandeliers will be suspended over the space dripping with vibrant orchids, mosses and tropical bromeliads. The exotic orchid blooms, in a sumptuous palette of lilacs, purple, pale and cerise pink through to exquisite whites, will also adorn a central waterfall, as well as showcase plinths around the exhibit.

Hampshire orchid grower Double H Nurseries is teaming up with celebrated floral designer Jonathan Moseley for the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) exhibit and will be supplying over 100 varieties of the popular Phalaenopsis orchid (pronounced Fal-en-op-sis), also known as moth orchid.

During Paxton’s stint as head gardener, the Chatsworth Estate boasted one of the most extensive orchid collections in the UK, at a time when the country’s fascination with these beautiful plants reached a peak. The trend then was most definitely one for the wealthy with orchids often changing hands for thousands of pounds.

The popularity of orchids has again surged in recent years, thanks to their large, long-lasting flowers, easy care and ability to bloom in any season – and unlike the 19th century they are much more affordable. Double H Nurseries alone supplies over two million orchids a year to major retailers. And orchids’ on-trend status is set to continue with newer scented Phalaenopsis varieties also now becoming available.

Jonathan Moseley said: “Visitors to this year’s RHS Chatsworth will have an opportunity to surround themselves in one of the most exuberant orchid displays ever seen in the UK. There will be lots of colour and texture in this magical landscape that we will be creating. It really will be a touch of orchid heaven at Chatsworth.”

Twenty florists from across the country will be helping Jonathan build the display including apprentices from the floristry college in Sheffield. During the show he will also be leading floristry workshops and demonstrations for visitors.

A Virtual Reality experience, created by 3D expert and VR designer Simon Mabey alongside Manchester Museum and Manchester University, will immerse visitors further in the tropical RHS Chatsworth display as they ‘sit’ suspended amongst the flowers, experiencing the wonder of different orchids through the eyes of an insect.

For more information on orchids, plus growing tips and tricks visit www.LoveOrchids.co.uk.

  • Scented moth orchids from Double H Nurseries will be amongst the beautiful flowers featured on Jonathan Moseley’s British Flower Bus which will be stopping at RHS Chatsworth 6 – 10 June; BBC Gardeners World Live 14 – 17 June; RHS Harlow Carr 22-24 June; RHS Hampton Court 2 – 8 July; RHS Tatton 18 -22 July; RHS Hyde Hall 1 – 5 August; RHS Rosemoor 17 – 19 August and RHS  Wisley 4-9 September.

ENDS

For further press information contact Emma Mason at emma@emmamasonpr.co.uk 07762 117433

For more information on RHS Chatsworth, please contact Hattie Sherwood in the RHS Press Office on 020 7821 3044 and hattiesherwood@rhs.org.uk

Illustration – UK’s Largest Display of Phalaenopsis Orchids at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, 6-10 June 2018.  Credit Ula Maria

Notes for editors: Double H Nurseries was established in 1961 and supplies over 4.5 million indoor plants to UK retailers including orchids, roses, poinsettias and chrysanthemums. It supports the Love Orchids website which gives hints and tips on growing these fabulous blooms.