14/03/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18EPBvEJAi/
In the nearly 5 decades of writing about the flower industry, I have never seen it so challenging … especially for small independent businesses who are being assailed left, right and centre with every challenge going.
Painfully high flower prices (not always justified in my opinion), delivery delays due to stupid inspections (the sooner the SPS agreement or easement kicks in the better) everyone and their friend jumping on the UK Mother’s Day bandwagon, horrendously inaccurate press stories (stop with the suggestion that every flower is covered in pesticides!), cruel and unthinking social media posts (florist on florist bashing is an alien concept to me) and now another war which is already having an impact on fuel prices never mind consumer confidence.
And yet despite it all I know there are thousands of professional florists – supported by an equally amazing wholesale network - who aren’t just preparing for the biggest day of the UK and Ireland flower calendar (ours is on Sunday 15th March) but in-between dealing with funerals, weddings and all the other reasons why flowers are so important.
Hands are shredded as the all-important care and conditioning takes place; calculators are being beaten within an inch of their lives to make sure there is some profit in it (florists need to eat as well!) nerves are on edge as customers wait till the last minute to order and the cry of “I can get that cheaper at the supermarket” runs the risk of sending a normally calm, collected and oh so charming florist into a demonic, red eyed monster (they are the Prada’s of the flower world, not Primark!)
I know first hand how truly wonderful working with flowers is … the joy, comfort and love we deliver in every petal is amazing, but I also know just how hard it is, especially at the moment.
So, as we head into the last final furlong on MD ’26 a huge shoutout and round of applause to every grower, importer, wholesaler and florist who are spreading flower power and a reminder to always channel your inner flamingo!
Kindest regards,
Caroline Marshall-Foster
