28th March 2024 • The HERALD • Page 55 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SPECIALISTS v ✿ DOWN THE GARDEN PATH ✿ Gardening Maintenance, Grass Cutting, Garden Clearance, Hedge Cutting, Weeding & Pruning Offering Professional & Reilable services at reasonable price No Job is Too Small HARRIS MULTISERVICES Contact Jason on 07922 543669 for a Free Quote SJB Gardening Services RHS Qualified Gardener specialising in hedging and pruning Shaping & removal of shrubs trees & hedges to approximately 8 meters All Work Fully insured Free quotations call Simon on 07443 649192 Smithwood Landscaping Professional Gardening & Landscaping • Garden Redesign • Astro Turf • Trees & Shrubs Carefully Pruned • Rockeries Designed • Fencing • Ground Cover • Seasonal Tidy Ups No Job Too Small as I am a Local Gardener Any advice over the phone is freely given Contact Gary (Master Landscaper) 07707 433194 A new way of enjoying locally grown owers is now possible at a ower farm near Fordingbridge. Hyde Flower Company, on the northern edge of the New Forest, is o ering everybody interested in nding out how to grow and display owers the opportunity to join them ‘on the farm’ for a new programme of oral workshops. Rooted on the northern edge of the New Forest, the organic ower farm is the dream of owner Caroline Howells, who began the hard work of turning fallow ground into a blossoming business at the start of lockdown. Now, with the additional expertise of local orist Sally Valentine, the farm not only grows and supplies a huge variety of sustainably grown owers, it also o ers PYO, wedding and event owers and, uniquely in the New Forest, a programme of oral classes and workshops. Running right through to December, the workshops are open to everyone regardless of gardening or ower arranging experience, and include posy making, spring wreaths, growing cut owers, hanging baskets and DIY wedding owers alongside eld tours and handmade bouquets. Weekly ‘ ower x’ arranging classes are also on o er. Born and raised in the New Forest, Caroline has a strong horticultural background. Her mother and grandmother made their living from horticulture and Caroline ran her own gardening business for ten years before setting up the ower farm. “Currently we have about an acre under cultivation,” said Caroline. “And I really couldn’t put a figure on how many species we have. I don’t tend to dedicate beds to particular species so the farm has a very natural look. New perennials are added every year, I sow around 40 annuals and then of course from March onwards we also have hundreds of glorious bulbs. “Teaming up with Sally has created a partnership that allows us to showcase the flowers and share our knowledge in a calm creative space. Working together, our workshops aim to inspire everyone to learn more about growing and using sustainable blooms to create stunning arrangements. Sally brings with her years of experience in both wholesale flower supply and commercial floristry, alongside a background that gives her a genuine fascination for the science behind the blooms. Team that with skill, patience and huge empathy and she really is a wonderful teacher.” Having focused on retail and event oristry for the last 20 years, Fordingbridge-based Sally is looking forward to sharing the hints and tips that can enhance every oral arrangement. Blossoming Business Brings Floral Workshops to the New Forest world, and truly appreciate Caroline’s approach to sustainable gardening. The personal benefits, both physical and mental are huge.” Hyde Flower Company also o ers PYO owers, ready-made bouquets, and a new ‘Flower Bar’ enabling you to pick and professionally wrap your own bouquet. If you prefer, ready-made bouquets and wedding owers are available by arrangement. For more information or to book workshops go to www.hyde owercompany.co.uk or call 07554 005208. You’ll nd Hyde Flower Company at Hedge Corner, Hyde, Fordingbridge SP6 2QB, next to the Potting Shed Café. Sally Valentine, florist, with Hyde Flower Company owner Caroline Howells Early evening sun burnishes the tall strawflowers at Hyde Flower Company “I passionately believe that working with flowers is a positive and joyful experience and Hyde Flower Company provides the perfect space to really benefit from that experience,” said Sally. “Many of this year’s new, informal workshops offer the opportunity to stroll into the growing field, pick your own flowers and then use your chosen blooms to create something that is uniquely your own. There’s also time to reflect on the immense beauty of the natural
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