Strawflowers are the BEST winter flowers

I’ve been working with Strawflowers this week and they really are the best winter flowers. They dry like jewels, each one holding the magic of the sun. I use every part of these flowers…the prettiest blooms get made into wreaths, if/when the fragile stems break I thread the heads into garlands. When the buds burst open I collect the tiny seeds for the next crop, any ugly or used petals get collected, boiled and turned into a dye bath ready to dye silk for ribbons. Any spent stems go to the compost bin ready to nourish future flowers, nothing gets wasted. I love the cyclic nature of nature and try to use every single part of the plants that I grow. Whilst my style of arranging flowers seems wild and free (it is!) my planning is detailed and researched. Growing on a small scale means I cannot afford to waste a single plant spot and these flowers fulfil every requirement.

Crafting with flowers is a really great way of getting to know them before you start growing (which can be intimidating). If you are planning a cut flower patch this year I’d definitely carve out a spot for these treasures. Search “strawflower seeds” and a list of seed suppliers will appear. Choose the colours that most appeal and get sowing. I’ve had my best crop when I sowed the seed on my kitchen window sill in early March using a really simple packet of multi coloured flowers from Lidl! Plant more than you think you need – I nearly lost the whole of my crop last year to a slug attack!

If you like to come and make with me I’m running a Dried Flowers Wreath Workshop Saturday 29th January 2022, 10am – 12pm, £55 pp email me hello@lottsandlots.com to book.