May is a super special month, my favourite month of the entire year, and I really do try to soak up every single day of it. There is something about May that feels like a gentle celebration, unfolding in soft light and fresh possibility, and after the quiet stillness of early spring it always feels as though nature takes a deep joyful breath before bursting beautifully into life.

Since having my daughter, I’ve completely fallen in love with the beautiful Mouse’s Wood books by Alice Melvin, and in Mouse’s Wood there is a section all about May that captures this time of year so perfectly. It speaks about the world waking up again, and honestly that is exactly how May feels to me. This is the month when the good times really seem to return, when everything feels lighter, brighter and full of possibility again.

Trees shimmer in vibrant fresh greens, gardens awaken in colour, and the air itself feels filled with birdsong and promise. We have been busy identifying birds in our local woodland lately with the help of a trusty birdsong app and have spotted redstarts, chiffchaffs, goldfinches, long tailed tits and even a tiny goldcrest. We have seen lots of familiar birdies too of course, but those ones made us especially happy. The evenings suddenly stretch out longer, the sunshine feels warmer on your skin and everything happens so quickly that it always catches me by surprise. March feels as though it was only yesterday and suddenly the world is overflowing with blossom and colour again.

Walking home from work suddenly becomes a joy again because there is so much beauty everywhere you look. Tiny muscari are saying goodbye for another year, peonies spill dramatically over garden fence posts, and peachy swirls of iris wave softly in the breeze. Our house martins have returned too, fluttering around outside the house squeaking away, and I hadn’t realised quite how much I had missed that sound until it came back. It feels like the whole world slowly comes back to life in May.

For flower lovers, May can feel almost overwhelming in the very best possible way because colour, texture, scent and beauty spill out from every corner. All seasons carry their own kind of beauty, but this one feels especially special. There is excitement everywhere you look, from the final fluttering ranunculus of the season to the first huge blowsy peonies beginning to open. Lilac drifts through the air with its unmistakable scent, cow parsley foams along the roadside and gardens suddenly feel abundant again after the quieter months.

My Dad, Ray, has been very busy at our cutting garden too, with the polytunnels now in full swing and lots of exciting plans growing behind the scenes this year. It is such a lovely time of year to see everything beginning to take shape again.

This weekend we are heading to the Chelsea Flower Show to prepare flowers for Burgon & Ball, which still feels surreal to say out loud. The flower order has been placed and now comes the exciting part, waiting for all of that beauty to arrive. Chelsea week has always been one of my favourite weeks of the entire year, so being able to work at the show for the very first time really does feel like such an honour.

I think that is what I love most about May really, the feeling that everything is opening up again. Windows get thrown open, evenings are spent outside for longer, flowers return to the kitchen table and suddenly life feels a little softer and lighter again. After a long winter and a slow spring, May arrives with colour, warmth and optimism, quietly reminding us to slow down and notice it all while it’s here.

So wherever you are this month, I hope you find a little time to soak it all in, because these beautiful fleeting weeks really are some of the loveliest of the whole year. And if you get the chance to gather a few wild flowers or snip some lilac branches for a vase at home, I truly believe that might just be the ultimate form of self care.

Floristry is one of those professions where you really feel the seasons.
You feel the cold, the shift, the change from warm pink peonies to rough pine stems and winter branches… and then, on one random day in March, you feel your soul return to your body.

No, I’m not being dramatic. It really does feel that nourishing.

The buttery yellow primroses, the sunny daffodils, the scent of narcissi, the colours of anemones, the ruffles of ranunculus, the faces of the humble hellebore… it’s just pure magic.

Getting your hands all over spring flowers feels like being soaked in sunshine.

I always find this time of year a little bittersweet because, on one hand, I’m so happy to see the light return… but how is it only two months until the longest day?!

I found this winter harder than usual, so I’m trying to be more intentional about soaking up each day and noticing each flower as it appears.

My dad has grown the most gorgeous tulips in our cutting garden, which has felt especially lovely. Of course because they’re beautiful, but mostly because of the pride on his face.

I think spring reminds us that all will come good again, even after a difficult time.

If you also want to be more intentional with soaking up spring, here are 4 things to look out for and have a little go at:

• pop some ranunculus in a low bowl using a flower frog, you only need 3 to look super gorgeous.

• go for a bluebell walk, there is a list of National Trust best places for bluebell woodlands here.

• grab your flower press and press narcissi and hellebore flower heads

• go and soak up the blossom! Here are some great places to see this April spectacle

• make a daisy chain

Excited to soak up with magical month,

With love,

Lauren

The air is feeling chilly and my coat is firmly back on. The sunsets have been so beautiful this week, that golden light in the evenings is the kind you just want to bottle up and keep forever.

The autumn shift in the shop is unmistakable right now. Buckets of rose hips and crab apples, fiery helenium, hydrangeas just tipping into those burnished tones, and the juiciest autumn roses. The colours are deep, warm and full of texture, it is such a joy to create with. And yes, the temptation for a pastry run on crisp mornings is very real, croissants seem to call louder in autumn, don’t they?

Behind the scenes, we are nearly ready to launch our new online Flower School, something we have been dreaming of for such a long time. Even more exciting, our very first Career Change Course kicks off this Monday. It feels like such a milestone moment for The Happy Blossoms and I cannot wait to welcome our new cohort.

A few snaps from THB this week!

And because autumn is the season to roll up your sleeves and get creative, I thought I would share a little guide to making your own autumn wreath.

How to Make an Autumn Wreath 🌿

What you’ll need

• A straw base (20cm ideally)

• Reel wire

• Sharp snips

• Ribbon to finish

Foliage and extras

• Eucalyptus

• Beech, birch or olive

• Ivy or rosemary

• Old Man’s Beard

• Rose hips

• Hydrangea heads

• Honesty pods

• Seed heads such as poppy, scabious or teasel

• Crab apples on twigs

• Autumn berries

Step-by-step

• Prep your materials: snip foliage into short stems, around 15 cm long.

• Make little bunches: group five or six stems together, mixing up shapes and textures, for example eucalyptus, olive a sprig of ivy and a berry stem.

• Attach to the base: lay your bunch against the straw ring and secure tightly with reel wire, wrapping around both the stems and the base.

• Layer and overlap: place your next bunch slightly over the first to hide the stems, then wire again. Work in the same direction all the way around the ring.

• Add interest: once the base is covered, tuck in feature pieces such as hydrangea heads, seed pods, berries or crab apples to give depth and character.

• Finish: secure the last bunch neatly under the first, tie off the wire and add a ribbon bow or a hanging loop.

The result is a wreath that feels completely your own, a little snapshot of autumn captured in flowers and foliage. You can hang it on your door, above the fireplace, or lay it flat on a table with a candle in the middle for a seasonal centrepiece.

Here’s to golden evenings, cosy mornings, and finding space for creativity as the season shifts. ✨

I’ve also popped a few faves from this week at the bottom of this post 🩷

Hope you have an amazing week!

Lauren xxxx

There’s so much beauty that only September brings: dahlias bursting into their prime, crab apples glowing on the branches, and though I tend to ignore them most of the year I can’t resist a bold celosia right now.

A visit to The Lost Gardens of Heligan and their incredible dahlia displays was exactly what I needed. The colours were extraordinary, every shape and size you could imagine. Dahlias weren’t really on my radar a few years ago; I found them slightly frustrating with their delicate petals and short vase life. But my appreciation has massively grown, and after we grew some in our own Cutting Garden this year, they’ve definitely secured a place in my floristry heart.

For me, it’s easier to appreciate the changing leaves when I make space to get creative, whether that’s arranging a bunch for the kitchen table or making something just for me. Maybe that’s the real gift of this season: finding joy in small, fleeting moments before they pass.

I have a delivery of gourds arriving tomorrow, and I’m already planning a little display with them (to be continued!). That’s the fun of autumn for me: leaning into the textures, colours, and shapes that suddenly appear at this time of year.

Autumn is a season that doesn’t tiptoe in, it makes an entrance. So I think it’s time I settle in and embrace the season of change.

What’s Blooming in September 🌸🍂

Here’s what I’m filling the flower shop with right now, the varieties that feel most alive this month, and ones I’d recommend keeping an eye out for at your local florist, grower, or even in your own garden:

Dahlias
At their absolute peak, bold and showy in every colour imaginable.

Japanese Anemones
Delicate, dancing blooms that light up shady corners.

Hydrangeas
Fading into dusky pinks and antique greens that dry beautifully.

Sunflowers
Golden faces still shining before autumn takes over.

Zinnias
Cheerful, bright, and brilliant for cut arrangements.

Celosia
Flame-like plumes that bring texture and warmth.

Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
Rich yellows and dark centres, perfectly autumnal.

Sedum (Ice Plant)
Clusters of dusky pink flowers that add structure.

Cosmos
Delicate and airy, often flowering into early autumn.

Scabiosa (Pincushion flower)
Soft, romantic blooms in purples and creams.

Clematis seed heads
Feathery textures that add a little magic.

Crab apple and berried branches
Jewel-like fruits that bring colour and movement.

Eucalyptus and other seasonal foliage
Grounding greens to balance the vibrancy.

These are the flowers that make me fall in love with September again. Maybe they’ll help you see the month differently too, not as the end of summer but as the beginning of something just as beautiful.

Speak soon,
Lauren xxx

Somehow May always appears much quicker than i’d like it to. I dream of my favourite month of the year and as it speeds towards me; I feel a little daunted by the prospect of all my favourite flowers, appearing and disappearing all too quickly. But alas, we are here and it is always so much better than you remember. The smell of peonies, they’re indescribable magic; I don’t think they’re is a single reason as to why these flowers are so special. Being surrounded by them in May is my floral highlight of the year. Since getting married in May two years ago, the magic of the peony holds me spellbound more than ever. Salmon saucer peonies have been the best so far this year, with moonlight a close second. Soaking up every day with them, like stocking up at Easter with mini eggs.

The shop has a new light to it too, with these bright sunny days casting a little magic through the windows! We are loving being in the season of lupins, delphiniums, alliums and foxgloves. With lupins being the number most popular flowers behind peonies in the flower shop. They are a very unique flower, not sure I prefer them to foxgloves though!

I am loving being a new writer here on and plan to send out a little newsletter every 2 weeks with everything we have been up to at our little shop as well as tutorials, floristry tips and general flowery info! We are open to suggestions too!!

Here are a few bts snaps of this week! Barbs and I are off to Chelsea Flower Show next week and I cannot wait! We are very proud of our friend Matt from @butlerandparker who has a garden at the show! We will bring you along with us!

Love, Lauren xxxx

The buds are budding, daffs are blooming and the future green leaves of the bluebells are emerging!! This is the perfect time of year to bring spring bulbs into the home and enjoy watching them come to life. We really recommend white scilla and muscari for a super delicate look. These potted up into simple terracotta pots are a super stylish statement that looks wonderful on any windowsill.

Our favourite flowers in the shop at the moment are:

Hyacinth City Of Bradford

Mimosa

Mentha Fresh Start

Coral Reef Roses

Sweet Breeze Tulips

Muscari White Spear

Snakes-Head Fritillaria

With Easter round the corner, now is the perfect time to get crafty! Here is our step- by-step guide to creating your own Spring Living Wreath:

EASTER LIVING WREATH
Materials Needed:

• 12-inch wire wreath frame

• Sphagnum moss

• Reel wire (floral wire or jute twine)

• Pussy willow branches

• Eucalyptus sprigs

• Flowering bulbs (such as crocus, hyacinth, or daffodil)

• Statice, eryngium, waxflower

• Ribbon (for finishing the wreath with a bow)

• Scissors

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating Your Living Moss Wreath:

Step 1: Prepare the Moss Base

1. Wrap Moss onto the Wreath Frame:

   • Begin by taking your 12-inch wire wreath frame and tying on your reel wire with a double knot.

   • Starting from one end, wrap the moss around the wire frame. Use reel wire to secure the moss every few inches, ensuring that it stays snug and evenly distributed around the frame.

   • Continue wrapping the moss completely around the wire wreath, making sure the wire frame is entirely covered with a nice, thick layer of moss.

Step 2: Create Space for Bulbs

1. Mark and Create Small Holes:

   • Gently squeeze the moss at various points on the wreath to create small holes or pockets where the flowering bulbs will go.

   • These holes should be spaced out so that each bulb has room to grow and spread.

2. Place the Bulbs:

   • Once the holes are ready, poke the bulbs into the holes you've created. Make sure the pointed side of the bulb is facing up and the roots (if visible) are facing down. Gently tie the reel wire around the roots of the bulbs to ensure it is securely held onto the wreath.

Step 3: Add Eucalyptus and Pussy Willow

1. Prepare Your Foliage:

   • Take your eucalyptus sprigs and pussy willow branches. Trim them to the desired length, leaving a bit of stem to tuck into the moss.

   • For a more organic look, you can leave some of the branches longer and others shorter, creating varying heights and textures.

2. Insert the Foliage and Flowers

   • Start adding the eucalyptus into the wreath. Tuck the stems into the moss base around the wreath.

   • Pussy willow branches can be placed in between the eucalyptus or in sections to create contrast. Their slender texture and unique appearance add a lovely focal point to the wreath

   • Add in your statice, eryngium, waxflower and cherry blossom stems into your wreath, ensuring they are all going in the same direction.

Step 4: Finish with a Decorative Bow

1. Make a Bow:

   • Cut a length of ribbon that suits the size of your wreath (about 18-24 inches long, depending on how large you want the bow).

   • Make a simple bow by creating two loops and tying them together, leaving extra ribbon to drape down.

2. Attach the Bow:

   • Secure the bow to the top or bottom of the wreath using floral wire.

   • Ensure that the bow is positioned where it complements the wreath’s design. It should draw attention without overwhelming the natural elements of the wreath.

Step 5: Water and Care

1. Watering:

   • Once your wreath is fully assembled, gently water the wreath by spraying it lightly with a watering can or spray bottle. Be careful not to over-saturate the moss.

   • Keep the wreath in a location with indirect sunlight, as this will help the bulbs grow and the moss stay fresh.

   • Check the wreath occasionally to ensure it is moist enough for the plants to thrive, especially during the bulb's growing phase.

Step 6: Hang and Enjoy

1. Hang Your Living Wreath:

   • Hang your wreath in a location where it will receive indirect sunlight and not too much direct exposure to heat or wind.

   • Display your wreath on your door.

Maintenance Tips:

• Water regularly to keep the moss and bulbs hydrated.

• Check the bulbs as they begin to grow to ensure they have enough space for root development.

To add in an Easter touch, try adding quails eggs into your design, these are available at craft shops and online!

Hope you have a fab week and thank you for reading!

Lauren

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