Roz says:

For me one of the best books to be published for a few years. Rachel is an amazing horticulturist and flower farmer. Her advice is sound, practical and definitely worth following.

Amazon says:

This book turns the spotlight on the best perennials and woody plants for cutting. These trusty plants return year after year with little effort or waste offering valuable habitats to garden wildlife and also bring a more natural quality to arrangements.  

Rachel Siegfried, owner of the celebrated Green & Gorgeous flower farm, began her career as an estate gardener and in this book she shares her selection of 130 rigorously trialled plants and her garden-led philosophy that together bring such exceptional results. Her exquisite arrangements capture the essence each plant making the most of characterful twists and tendrils, testament to years of expert botanical observation and hands in the soil. 

Beautiful photographs capture the seasonal diversity and natural ease that are such a hallmark of this thoroughly contemporary approach to cut flowers. Whether your goal is to have something to pick from your garden each week of the year or start a cut flower business, the inspiration to get started and expert advice you need is here. 

Roz says:

I have amazing admiration for Erin. I recommend all her books but this one is a great one for an overview. 

Amazon says:

The Cut Flower Garden: Erin Benzakein is a florist-farmer, leader in the locaflor farm-to-centerpiece movement, and owner of internationally renowned Floret Flower Farm in Washington's lush Skagit Valley. 
 
A stunning flower book: This beautiful gardening book and guide to growing, harvesting, and arranging gorgeous blooms year-round provides readers with vital tools to nurture a stunning flower garden and use their blossoms and cut flowers to create show-stopping arrangements. It makes a beautiful gift for any occasion, for friends, loved ones and gardening lovers alike! 
 
Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden: Cut Flower Garden is equal parts instruction and inspiration―a flower gardening book overflowing with lush photography of magnificent flowers and breathtaking arrangements organized by season. Find inspiration in this lush flower book: 

• Irresistible photos of Erin's flower farm that showcase exquisite blooms 

• Tips for growing in a variety of spaces and climates 

• Step-by-step instructions for lavish garlands, airy centerpieces, and romantic florist design and décor for every season 

Roz says:

I purchased this and took on holiday. An easy read and well laid out. Always things to learn. 

Amazon says:  

Growing flowers can bring colour and life to the garden, and also give you an abundance of sustainable floral material to use at home. This handbook shows you how to plan a cutting garden, grow the perfect plants for the vase and nurture them so they thrive from season to season.  
 
Whether you have a few pots or a dedicated patch, you can grow beautiful blooms and learn how to cut, condition and arrange them for garden-gathered floral designs all year round, all without the carbon footprint of most shop-bought flowers! 
 
Cut Flowers includes a directory of flowers, bulbs and foliage to grow, plus pro advice on creating dreamy designs.

Roz says: 

One of those really nice feel good books. Great coffee table one to dip into. 

Amazon says: 

Growing flowers to cut and enjoy at home can sharpen our awareness of the world around us and make us more attuned to nature. We find it impossible to walk anywhere without spotting a prized rose in a front garden, a brassica gone to seed on a neighbouring allotment plot or a weedy verge in a carpark and considering its potential for cutting. 

‘Tuning into the flowering seasons, observing and being compassionate to nature and seeking beauty in the unexpected not only makes us better gardeners but custodians of the planet.’ – Camila and Marianne 

Like the food revolution that focuses on provenance, locality, climate and sustainability, Camila and Marianne use these principles to address the flower market. With not much space, it is possible to use the flowers from your garden to decorate your home as well as giving bunches to friends and family instead of buying cellophane wrapped flowers from the shops that may have been covered in pesticides and travelled many miles to get to you. 

Flowers are something we are irresistibly drawn to and turn to at the milestone moments of our lives, at births, marriages and deaths, to connect with an estranged friend, to send love or say we’re sorry. They colour our most formative experiences and are our gateway to finding our own personal relationship with the planet we inhabit. No matter the size of your garden, this practical, but approachable guide will instill the confidence in you to grow flowers to bring into your home and enjoy all year round. 

Roz says:

Millie is an amazing woman and I am a fan. A beautiful book with amazing photography 

Amazon says:

Starting by tackling the principles of floristry from seed to bloom, Milli takes you through the seasons and explores the top plants to grow and how to style them. Each chapter spotlights the growing highlights of the season with top tips on how to sow, grow and harvest. Milli also shares her own stories from the field to help inspire and encourage you to grow your own, with advice on soil health, composting, sustainable growing and how to plan your planting. 

From Seed to Bloom includes beautiful lifestyle photography shot through the year from Milli's field, as well as step-by-step photography that celebrates the art of creating beautiful floral pieces, to gift and to keep. This is a book for those who seek an approachable and accessible insight into the wonderful world of flower growing and floral arranging. 

Learn to play with colour and texture both in your planting and styling with From Seed to Bloom, as you learn how to create designs with confidence and bring nature into your home. 

Roz says:

Quite an old book now. – nearly 10 years. Georgie has been farming as long as me. The advice is practical , useful and a good starting point. Books on flower farming are quite sparse  - on my list to write one but for now this is a good start 

Grow your own cut flowers and you can fill your house with the gorgeous colours and heavenly scents of your favourite blooms, knowing that they haven’t travelled thousands of miles – and you can make money while you do it! 
 

Amazon says:
Combining boundless passion with down-to-earth guidance and practical advice, Georgie Newbery draws on her own experiences as an artisan flower farmer and florist in this delightful guide. The Flower Farmer's Year covers everything, from how to start a cut-flower patch and guidance on what to grow, to cutting, conditioning and presenting cut flowers, and creating a hedgerow for Christmas. 
 
For those interested in selling cut-flowers, the guide includes useful information on how to start a business, including where to sell cut-flowers, and marketing and social media tips. A flower farmer's year planner is also provided to make your cut-flower farm as productive as possible. 

Roz says:

A really nice easy to understand propagation book. Defintely one for the list if you want to increase your stock 

Amazon says: 

Are you interested in growing your own plants from scratch? This reference book will teach you how to propagate virtually every type of plant. 
 
If you're a thrifty gardener who wants more plants for free, then this book is perfect for you! From fruit trees and ornamental shrubs to exotic orchids and succulents, get all the info you'll need to propagate plants at your fingertips. 
 
Discover the experts' secrets to perfecting plant propagation with this easy-to-follow gardening manual. A horticulturist's delight, this new edition features more than 1,800 detailed illustrations and photos that show both practical step-by-step gardening techniques and the plants themselves. 
 
How long do your seedlings need to germinate? What makes a healthy stem cutting? How do you know what type of rootstock to use when grafting plants? Find out the answer to these questions and more in the most comprehensive guide to propagating plants ever published. 
 
From palms and roses to culinary herbs and conifers, each chapter contains popular and botanically interesting plant groups. Explore the modes of propagation that are unique to the featured plants. Learn about their characteristic ways of reproduction and how these are exploited in various techniques. The techniques are fully illustrated with step-by-step photographs and explanatory artworks. The plants' special needs are discussed, with expert tips on how to achieve success. 
 
This gardening book is crammed with hundreds of step-by-step tutorials and clear advice, ranging from straightforward and simple to more in-depth. The rating system in the plant-by-plant A-Z dictionaries provides you with a quick reference to the relative ease or difficulty of each method of propagation. 
 
Fill Your Garden with Beautiful Plants for Next-To-Nothing 

Roz says:

Bex has written two books and this is the best one as far as I am concerned. Really nice practical tips on growing and drying flowers. Her second book is lovely but more coffee top than practical 

Amazon says:

Everlastings is a celebration of the life of flowers, showcasing the ethereal beauty of dried flowers. 

Bex Partridge takes you on a journey, starting with practical advice on how to pick flowers both at your home and outdoors, with in-depth descriptions of the many methods of drying blooms, seed heads and foliage, before sharing her favourite ways to style with dried flowers in the home as well as wearable items such as floral crowns and hair clips. 

The main section of the book features over 20 projects to try at home, all accompanied with beautiful photography. Suitable for both those that have never worked with dried flowers before and the seasoned professionals, the projects span many levels of experience. Bex shares ideas on how to capture the memories and moments of special days, through the gathering and preserving of flowers, to be treasured for years to come. 

She also shares her knowledge of the ecological benefits of dried flowers, as well as chapters on foraging and thoughts on the meditative benefits of working with dried flowers. Filled with stunning imagery that Bex has become known for online, Everlastings presents a modern take on an age-old craft. 

Roz says:

Well I have to love this as I wrote it……….. Hope you love it too. 

Amazon says:

A beautiful planner, designed by Field Gate Flowers, to help ensure cutting garden success for everyone. 

Field Gate Flowers, owned by Roz Chandler is a flower farm based in Buckinghamshire that has been growing and harvesting cut flowers for over 10 years. Roz prides herself not only on a thriving, successful flower farm but also in running online courses to teach everyone to grow cut flowers whether for profit or pleasure. 
 
This planner includes the following:- 
Month-by-month jobs to do in the patch. Each month there are lists of tasks to include general maintenance, Pests and diseases to look out for, and sowing and planting recommendations. 

Lots of space to record your sowing and planting. 
Our annual cut flower recommendations. 
Recommendations on perennials and foliage 
A British flower guide by month - what is in season and when. 
Propagation calendar - NEW FOR 2024 
QR codes to free video content - NEW FOR 2024 
 
Areas to make a record of your patch and also any learnings to take forward to the next season. 
An absolute must for anyone wanting to have their own cutting blooms. 

Roz says:

A real go to book. Full of information. Some of the varieties mentioned we can’t get in the UK but a lovely book to keep going back to 

Amazon says:

A stunning guide to growing, harvesting, and arranging gorgeous dahlia blooms from celebrated farmer-florist and New York Times bestselling author Erin Benzakein, founder of Floret Flower Farm. 

World-renowned flower farmer and floral designer Erin Benzakein reveals all the secrets to growing, cultivating, and arranging gorgeous dahlias. These coveted floral treasures come in a dazzling range of colors, sizes, and forms, with enough variety for virtually every garden space and personal preference, making them one of the most beloved flowers for arrangements. 
In these pages, readers will discover: 
-    Expert advice for planting, harvesting, and arranging garden-fresh dahlias 
-    A simple-to-follow overview of the dahlia classification system 
-    An A–Z guide with photos and descriptions of more than 350 varieties 
-    Step-by-step how-to’s for designing show-stopping dahlia bouquets that elevate any occasion 

Roz says:

Published -in 2015.  Still useful. All still current 

Amazon says:

By growing your own wedding flowers, you can add a personal element to your special occasion, while caring for the environment and saving money at the same time. 
 
Filled with gorgeous pictures, this friendly, no-nonsense book makes growing and arranging your own flowers achievable and fun. Whether you’re growing for a wedding or a birthday, festival or other celebration, artisan farmer and florist Georgie Newbery’s cheerful advice takes you through everything you need to know. 
 
Beginning with a foreword by Sarah Raven, this step-by-step guide covers planning, growing, cutting and conditioning your flowers. There are sections dedicated to flowers for spring, early-summer, high-summer, autumn and winter weddings to ensure you’re getting the best blooms for the season. There are creative flower craft ideas for special occasions, including buttonholes, bouquets, centrepieces, garlands and flower crowns. 
 
From jam-jar posies to elaborate displays, this lovely book explains how to grow and create beautiful arrangements and make your special day unique, without costing the earth. 

Roz says:

I have been fortunate to meet the author – wow what a wealth of knowledge. Definitely one for your bookshelves. 

Amazon says: 

“A luscious and colorful immersion into the world of the peony.” ―Petal Talk The bold blooms, pretty colors, and heady fragrances of peonies make them one of the most popular flowers, both in gardens and floral arrangements. Peony―by leading experts David Michener and Carol Adelman―makes it easier than ever to grow them home. This lush book shares the history of the plant, explores the different types available, and includes complete growing information for 194 of the best varieties. Helpful lists detail the best peonies for specific needs. 

Roz says:

I had the pleasure of interviewing Amy Stewart. This is a gorgeous insight into the global cut flower industry told with human stories and warmth along the way. 

Amazon says:

A green-fingered gardener, Amy Stewart has always delighted in the sight of freshly cut flowers, but she grew increasingly curious and uneasy about the journey those flowers take to reach her bouquet. In Gilding the Lily, Stewart introduces us to the people, places and plants that make up this multi-million-pound industry, from a lily grower in the American Northwest to the rose fields of Ecuador and the tulip greenhouses in Holland. Gilding the Lily is a page-turning enquiry into the controversial practices that lie behind each bloom, including the treatment of the workers in the fields and greenhouses, the issue of patenting and the use of pesticides, and the financial forces that drive the quest for the "perfect" flower. It is also a wonderful story about the romance and the reality of growingand cultivating flowers. 

Roz says:

I admit it  my girl crush is Dave Goulson. His books are amazing as is his passion for bees and the environment. Not to be missed. 

Amazon says:

The Garden Jungle is a wonderful introduction to the hundreds of small creatures with whom we 
live cheek-by-jowl and of the myriad ways that we can encourage them to thrive. 
 
The Garden Jungle is about the wildlife that lives right under our noses, in our gardens and parks, between the gaps in the pavement, and in the soil beneath our feet. Wherever you are right now, the chances are that there are worms, woodlice, centipedes, flies, silverfish, wasps, beetles, mice, shrews and much, much more, quietly living within just a few paces of you. 
 
Dave Goulson gives us an insight into the fascinating and sometimes weird lives of these creatures, taking us burrowing into the compost heap, digging under the lawn and diving into the garden pond. He explains how our lives and ultimately the fate of humankind are inextricably intertwined with that of earwigs, bees, lacewings and hoverflies, unappreciated heroes of the natural world. 
 
The Garden Jungle is at times an immensely serious book, exploring the environmental harm inadvertently done by gardeners who buy intensively reared plants in disposable plastic pots, sprayed with pesticides and grown in peat cut from the ground. Goulson argues that gardens could become places where we can reconnect with nature and rediscover where food comes from. 

Roz says:

Quite simply – A Must read 

Amazon says:

Insects are essential for life as we know it. As they become more scarce, our world will slowly grind to a halt; we simply cannot function without them. Drawing on the latest groundbreaking research and a lifetime's study, Dave Goulson reveals the shocking decline of insect populations that has taken place in recent decades, with potentially catastrophic consequences. He passionately argues that we must all learn to love, respect and care for our six-legged friends.  

Eye-opening, inspiring and riveting, Silent Earth is part love letter to the insect world, part elegy, part rousing manifesto for a greener planet. It is a call to arms for profound change at every level - in government policy, agriculture, industry and in our own homes and gardens. Although time is running out, it is not yet too late for insect populations to recover. We may feel helpless in the face of many of the environmental issues that loom on our horizon, but Goulson shows us that we can all take simple steps to encourage insects and counter their destruction. 

Roz says:

The second of Bex’s books. My advice is head for the first one first and add this to the collection later. 

Amazon says:

From the author of Everlastings comes Flowers Forever – a book that will inspire you to create beautiful floral displays with long lasting, dried flowers. 

Packed to the brim with information on dried flowers, the book includes a section on the process of growing, drying and working with flowers that last, plus guidance on textures, tones and colours and advice on how to source materials sustainably. Flowers Forever also showcases 10 modern designs including an Autumn Bounty Fireplace, a Winter Solstice Wall-hanging and a breathtaking Tablescape. 

This is a book for those who question the origin and sustainability of all we consume and are seeking to educate themselves while creating these beautiful projects.