Claire Brown, British flower grower had so many similar questions from florists and brides to be about how to choose flowers (or other special occasions) that she decided to write a book in a such a way it was super easy for this to happen.
Her book is revolutionary in how it displays its information. There are lots of flower books out there explaining which flowers are in season and where it grows – but Claire wanted to not just to explain which flowers grow when but which British flowers grow when and WHAT colour scheme they fell into.
Having a special occaision with a colour scheme of red and blue in April might find it really hard to get British flowers to match. This book shows you exactly what flora and fauna is available and from where.
The British Flowers Book is laid out monthly. Each month is given a colour scheme (some have several) and each monthly page is colour coded to match. Claire also included other structural plants (not just flowers) so that the decoration can be as magnificent as possible and also includes how to look after the plant once it’s been delivered or bought.
Claire is a champion of British flowers (as were Harry and Meghan Markle for their wedding!) and I know this book has flown off the shelves. In fact, Claire was so successful in raising money for this project (she was crowd-funded) that I’ll be doing a follow-up article on just how she did it.
Claire gives some very valuable advice – read on to find the valuable tips she shares when you might need some inspiration!
What’s the title of your book?
The British Flowers Book
How long had you wanted to write a book before you put the first word on paper?
I’d been given the idea about 18 months before.
What first inspired you to write a book?
My florist customers asking me the same questions time and time again as they couldn’t find the information out there in any other books or literature.
What inspired you to actually start the writing?
A meeting with two good friends/co-conspirators; we sat down to talk about it and work out what the book should say. I found I actually had all the ideas, they were just boiling round my head.
Did you have to find further inspiration throughout your writing journey to keep you motivated? If so, what?
Yes, particularly when the ‘day job’ of growing the flowers got in the way with writing about them. Luckily, Mother nature waits for no-one, so the seasons were a very good way of giving me inspiration and making sure I got information down and getting the right photos before each flower was finished for the year.
Does your book inspire others? In what way?
I’m very glad to say that it does, here are some of the things I’ve been told,
“I love my copy!! such an amazingly beautiful and inspiring book”
“Thank you for this wonderful book. I am just starting out as a flower grower and I can already see your book as being a huge help with colours, arrangements and persuading local florists to buy British. Thank you so much”
“Your book is fabulous, it’s become my go to, floral bible”
What tips would you have for anyone else inspired but stuck?
Ask your customers, talk to them and find out what they want to know, any questions they have, others will have too. Keep going back to those questions if you’re stuck.
I hope you managed to get the three key points that Claire shared here?
If you would like to get a copy of Claire’s revolutionary book, then you can so here.
Tomorrow I’m going to be sharing a story of divine inspiration….so keep tuned!