Like a sunbeam saved for a rainy day this Autumn bouquet is positively glowing with saturated colour. It cheerfully defies the changing seasons & acts as a perfect pick-me-up on a drab grey day. ...

You don't have to be big to be noticed or make an impression. Take this little Christmas tree for instance. Petite & perfectly proportioned, it's all ready for the festive season. Naturally it wants to look its best, hence the glittering golden fronds woven through its tiny branches & pinecones. Planted in a pint-sized pot, it will look charming on a bookshelf. Or order two & place them at either end of a sideboard or mantelpiece. ...

Is there such a thing as a 100% safe investment? Looking at the alternative 'stock market' in general, & this blush stem in particular, the answer would seem to be yes. Perfect for adding delicate warmth to mixed displays, our stocks are so easy to arrange. Just drop them into your favourite tall vase & watch the interest grow. ...

Is there such a thing as a 100% safe investment? Looking at the alternative 'stock market' in general, & this pink stem in particular, the answer would seem to be yes. Perfect for adding subtle richness to mixed displays, our stocks are so easy to arrange. Just drop them into your favourite tall vase & watch the interest grow. ...

Is there such a thing as a 100% safe investment? Looking at the alternative 'stock market' in general, & this white stem in particular, the answer would seem to be yes. Perfect for adding lightness & brightness to mixed displays, our stocks are so easy to arrange. Just drop them into your favourite tall vase & watch the interest grow. ...

Frothier & less formal than the more regimented varieties, white parrot tulips are reminiscent of Chantilly lace & ballroom petticoats. Bright & white as soap suds, these are a definite designer's choice with an almost magical ability to lighten a room & lift the mood. Easy to arrange
- you simply drop them into a favourite jug or vase
- for an instant sunny summertime display.

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It's no secret that red roses mean true love. But in floriology
- that's the language of flowers
- there are many meanings that

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One of the joys of flower arranging is discovering new & original combinations. This melange of roses, pears & berries is a perfect example of what we mean. The contrast between the pure, creamy white of the rose petals & the ripe, rounded tactile quality of the pears is both unusual & very satisfying. Reminiscent of an old-fashioned country garden
- where rambling roses climbing through fruit trees was a popular feature
- our new centrepiece will look stunning on a deep windowsill or a hall table to welcome visitors. & if they're intrigued by roses & pears together you can always impress them with your botanical knowledge. Pear trees & rose bushes belong to the same family.

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Soft & frothy as cumulus clouds, the colour of our white hydrangea bush captures the very essence of springtime. Put it in a large pot or planter & display it on a window sill, in a porch, conservatory or a sunny corner of the living room. Wherever you choose, the effect will be stunning. ...

The Edwardians had a thing about the aspidistra. In the 1970s rubber plants were all the rage. That's the problem with fashionable plants, one minute they're à la mode
- the next, positively passé. Roses, by contrast, are timeless. Two thousand years ago, Nero
- in his more agreeable moods
- liked to shower his guests with rose petals. In the 15th century the unification of the royal houses of Lancaster & York was symbolised by the red & white Tudor rose. & Empress Josephine whiled away the hours growing roses when her husb&, Napoleon, was conquering Europe. It would seem that the appeal of roses is universal
- as is their ability to adapt to each & every trend. Take this new rose arrangement for instance. A stunning combination of classic roses in a contemporary cube vase, it will look effortlessly stylish in a sitting room or study, office reception or guest bedroom. We'd like to think that Henry & Josephine would have approved. As for Nero
- it's hard to say. He was a bit unpredictable...




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