Beautiful British Flowers For Every Occasion

Sally Page’s third novel, The Secrets of Flowers, is out tomorrow, channelling her life-long love of flowers and floristry into her fictional writing for the first time. After studying history at university, Sally worked in advertising by day but pursued her love of flowers by night – at floristry night school. Eventually, she opened her own flower shop, and noticed the unique window floristry offers into people’s stories, and she began to write about his floral life in a series of non-fiction books. Sally first turned to fiction with her debut novel The Keeper of Stories, published in 2022. In celebration of the publication of The Secrets of Flowers, we asked Sally which flowers to give in different situations. Here are Sally’s picks of the best British flowers for every occasion.

Which Flowers To Give…

At A Dinner

Your host or hostess is going to love you if you make it easy for them, so bring them flowers that are already in water. This could be as simple as a jam jar filled with garden roses, scabious and feverfew. Keep the arrangement cut short and it can immediately be added to the table for decoration.

For A Birthday

Who doesn’t like to receive flowers on their birthday? And don’t forget the men: I once did flowers for the dressing room of an A list celeb who I was told did not like flowers. I did wonder why they had rung a florist! The display of thistles we sent went down so well he took them home with him.

To A Loved One

There’s a Chinese saying: a flower leaves some of its fragrance in the hand that bestows it. I like the idea of a gift linking two people, so I would always suggest something fragrant. Roses, of course, but how about giving the person you love a jasmine plant? In the language of flowers, jasmine means sensuality – something that should definitely be shared!

In Sympathy

I tend to think of gentle, white flowers when I think of flowers helping to soothe sorrow. I would suggest avoiding lilies that can be associated with funerals (and their fragrance can be overpowering) – so how about a mix of white agapanthus, lisianthus and stock?

To A Summer Party

If you are throwing a party or celebration, you probably already have enough to do, so keep it simple. Stick to one variety and, personally, I don’t think you can go wrong with jugs of sunflowers, displayed either inside or out.

The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page is published on 29 August 2024. HarperCollins, £9.99