Well what can I say about the first half of 2013? Cold springs to mind, it feels like we've endured winter since April 2012 and finally the sun is shining with some heat at last.

Blue Geranium has provided flowers for some beautiful weddings so far this year and I can honestly say they are all unique in their own special way.

Ivory posy - Totnes Castle in the background

A beautiful hand-tied posy of ivory Spring flowers; ranunculus, tulips, Bridal Crown narcissi and variegated pittasporum.

Summer posy

A gathered style posy of Duchess De Nemois paeonies, Snowflake & Pepita spray roses, Norma Jean roses, matricaria (camomile), oregano and variegated pittasporum.


This beautiful combination of tonal flowers were for a vintage styled wedding at Dartington Hall - Bordeaux anemone, Ocean Song, Memory Lane and Amnesia roses.

Vintage pressed glass vase complete with roses and anemone...

Continuing with the vintage theme that has been running for a few years now... Amnesia, O'Hara, Norma Jean, Amnesia roses look like Neapolitan ice-cream.

Delightfully scented posy

Gathered cascade bouquet

Delightfully scented gathered posy of roses, matricaria, oregano, hypericum, freesias...
A gathered cascade of tonal blue, lilac, pink, white; Clematis Pirouette, ranunculus, Bordeaux anemone, lilac (syringa), veronica, Snowflake roses, Memory Lane roses, tulips, hyacinth, 

At last a taste of summer with a hint of bling...

Paigeboy buttonhole of Snowflake roses, matricaria (camomile) & lavender

Avalanche rose, dressed with matricaria, lavender buttonhole

The long and hot Summer of 2013

It's been a while since my last post, guilty of neglect your Honour. We're experiencing a rare phenomenon in this country, bright blue skies and there is actually a bright ball called the sun, which gives of lots of warmth. It must be the first time in almost eight years since we've had a summer that we can actually call a summer. This leads to my next subject and it involves the care of cut flowers in this heat. We don't have a chiller unit at Blue Geranium, we've never really needed one. The constant sound of a fan, humming in my ear all summer has been the only source of breaking the heat for the poor flowers. I'm still not convinced it's worth investing in a chiller unit for one summer! The front of the shop is facing West and has been exposed to full sun, which mean by 1pm, the door-step posies and plants are repositioned inside out of the harsh, direct sunshine. We rarely experienced this problem in the first year.

Display of hydrangea and heather plants and doors-step posies.

The shop is becoming known for its beautiful displays, or visual merchandising style, which is also attracting custom for the collectables we've accumulated over the years. Combining fresh flowers, plants and vintage vases is finally working as more customers will come in to browse and potter over the collection of vintage Dartmouth Pottery, Wedgewood, Arthur Wood boat style vases and urns and buy them as well as choose a selection of flowers to dress their new vases. The shop also attracts "dealers" on the prowl for a bargain! I'm OK with this as long as they make sensible offers or refrain from patronising and condescending comments like "You haven't got any real antiques", or "Have you got any silver, or watches?" - I'd have thought it was obvious what we sell at a Florist.

Deep pink hydrangea plants and English lavender on the doorstep of Blue Geranium

 What will the rest of 2013 bring us? Hopefully more summer ;-)