It is the mid-nineties. I’m in my final year at school and, contrary to all appearances, I am revising for my exams at home in the garden. I hide behind a large pair of mirrored sunglasses on a sun lounger, holding my book aloft to prevent any weird tan lines. But I find it hard to concentrate on mathematical formulas...
Instead, my attention is fixed on a forlorn-looking greenhouse at the bottom of the garden, partially hidden behind a large shrub. Bindweed and a jasmine vine have taken advantage of a broken window, wrapping their tenacious tendrils around each other in a surprising foxtrot that throws flickering shadows onto the old tiled floor beneath.
Many years later, after trying to follow the accepted route to success within the confines of a tall office block, I accepted that I would be far happier if I allowed my creativity to guide me back out into the landscape and into a world of garden and floral design.
Over the years, my design work has become softer and gentler as I have learned to really look at what nature is doing so effortlessly around us. There is so much inspiration to be found. I draw on those memories of utter perfection to create gardens outside as well as tiny gardens in a bowl or vase that whisper of romantic fairy tales.
I hope this book will awaken your floral creativity, wherever you live. There is such simple joy in cutting a few flowers from your garden: a swaying stem of a shrub, a scented rose, a seedhead that reminds you of the season past. Isn’t that the greatest love story we can ever tell?
The Flower Hunter: Creating a Floral Love Story Inspired by the Landscape by Lucy Hunter is out now. To get more great blog posts like this one - direct to your inbox – be sure to sign up to our mailing list here.