December News from Galloway Flowers

​Well, I wasn’t expecting that… was my thought as I looked out of the window on Friday morning to see snow. Yes, it was forecast but it looked as if we would miss it. Only an inch or so, just enough to look scenic & all gone by lunchtime. I HATE driving in deep snow & nobody is coming to grit this road…  Was it a warning from Mother Nature of what’s to come this Winter? Or just to remind me why I don’t take bookings for December weddings? The shovel, spare wellies & blanket are back in the car, just in case.

  December is a hectic month of Christmas wreaths, garlands & more as we near the big day. Freshly cut conifer in my workshop smells wonderful, mixed with the delicious scent of hand cream slathered on my hands – wreathmaking is a very tough job for fingers!  It isn’t time to stop yet but I’m ready for our first break since February.
 
  And Christmas Wreaths are being delivered earlier than ever before as it seems many need a bit of Christmassy colour. Our natural wreaths last well, given a regular spritz of cold water. This year I’m sending wreaths by post (many as gifts) – the furthest is on the way to Cornwall!
 
  Fashion in wreaths changes year to year & Instagram has a continuous parade of stunning ones. This year the wild, ‘foraged’ look is still very ‘on trend’. Many include dried elements such as teasels, grasses, bracken & everlasting flowers. Richly textured Conifers in multiple varieties is a big trend (fortunately this used to be a conifer nursery so there’s plenty here to snip). And trimmings are lighter, more natural too – lots of cones, berries & smaller ribbons or streamers in many colours (I’ve even made a couple with rainbows of colourful ribbon streamers). I’m being asked NOT to put bows on lots of wreaths this year. Fashion is fickle… at the end of the day, every wreath I make is unique & we can choose whatever makes you happy.
 
  When planning the Wreath Making workshops this year, I had doubts if we would be able to do them. But we did! Last week at Ernespie Farm Centre, Castle Douglas (a fabulous new Café, shop & garden Centre – well worth a visit) we were fully booked. A huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who came along – I’ve missed working with groups this year & loved seeing the gorgeous creations at the end of the evening. Thanks also to Fiona at Ernespie for encouraging me to be brave, get back to some kind of normal & to D&G Council, for sound, practical advice on how to do it safely. On Friday 11th, I’ll be at the Station House Cookery School in Kirkcudbright for another workshop. If you would like to come along & make your own natural wreath, there are 3 places left as of this morning. Book Online
 
  And now we have a process, I’m putting together an Events calendar for 2021, ready to launch in early January. There’ll be some growing, some floristry… Is there anything you would like to do? Email me with your suggestions please…
 
  Children worldwide are opening doors on Advent calendars, counting down the sleeps. Instead, I’m counting down the days to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. Once this landmark date is past, I’ll be looking for every extra minute of daylight in the evenings. There’ll be many long evenings to come poring over seed catalogues by the warm wood burner through December, January & February - but we’re on the way.
 
  This year I was caught out with a sea of too many white flowers – perfect for the scheduled weddings that didn’t happen.  Much less popular for the bouquet deliveries we had to switch to as events took over & we had to adapt our entire business, fast. Next year, there’ll be a lot more colour in the flower field! Definitely looking forward to that… (Don’t worry wedding couples, still plenty of white for you!)

  The deliciously scented Narcissi from the Scilly Isles are delivered direct to me from the Scilly Isles every week this month. I love them in generous jugsful in the kitchen, the hallway, often mixed with evergreens such as Eucalyptus or in little dainty Posy vases grouped on windowsills, beside my bed, all over the house. My absolutely favourite winter flower. To order yours for Christmas, please let me know quickly as demand for the ‘Paperwhites’ is always high. Almost all of my preorder has been reserved & if I need to order more, I must do so this week. Order online or by telephone 01644 420407 for local delivery or collection.
  If you would like a small wrap of a bunch or 2 (they’re a lovely gift), these can be collected from the Flower Farm. A small quantity of wraps will be available from InHouse Chocolates in Castle Douglas too.
 
  For the next few months, our bouquets & chocolate shop posies will be filled with flowers from growers further South (mostly in Lincolnshire, Cornwall & the Scilly Isles). Our Regular Subscription flowers, local bouquet deliveries on Fridays & flowers for funerals will continue. All 100% grown in the British Isles as always. To order flowers, please give as much notice as possible to ensure I've plenty for you.
  
Jobs for December;

• If you grow Hellebores, they'll love a generous dollop of compost this month. It'll give them a boost as they prepare for a beautiful display of early flowers.
• If you have a wood burner (or know someone who does) use the wood ash to feed hungry flowering plants. It's particularly good for Clematis, Roses, Hellebores, Strawberries & Raspberries.
• Remember the birds & Squirrels in the colder weather. They appreciate feeders full of peanuts, sunflowers & fatballs. Offering clean fresh water is a great help to them when normal sources are frozen.
• Some Cutting garden essentials such as Aquilegia, Larkspur & Molucella (Bells of Ireland) must have the seed frozen to germinate well (Vernalisation to be technical). Sow these varieties this month & place outside where seedlings are protected from slugs. It’s the best way I’ve found to germinate these tricky customers.

  It’s been a long, weary year for everybody, albeit in different ways. There are optimistic signs on the horizon with the promise of a vaccine, & extra daylight will lift our spirits too. But you know, there were many wonderful moments for us – the spirit of kindness, encouragement, more time to chat (from a distance of course) & the many, many new Customers both locally & around the world who took time to seek out & support small, local businesses such as ourselves. It made a huge difference.
 
  Thank you for encouraging us to keep on going & growing our natural, seasonal flowers. And warm wishes to you & yours for the Festive season, a healthy New Year & spectacular Cutting Patch in 2021!
 
  And the last word this month?
 
‘Where Flowers Bloom, So Does Hope’
Lady Bird Johnson

Until next time, 
Rosie 
Galloway Flowers 

Your Flower Links for December;

• Still looking for a special gift for a flower lover? May I suggest a Gift voucher redeemable against flowers & workshops at Galloway Flowers in 2021 https://www.gallowayflowers.co.uk/store/p39/giftvoucher.html
• Regular Flower Subscriptions - Changing with the seasons, every delivery is different & 100% grown in the British Isles, all year round
• Some of the best Wreaths this Christmas in Vogue Magazine 
• The Wedding Trends Report for 2021 by Floral Blogger Charlotte Argyrou