Wind Trader

Did you know that wild Tulips have come from high up in the mountains of central Asia. They were cultivated by the people of Turkey in the year 1000AD.  By the 17th Century they were exported to Western Europe where not only were they used for medicinal purposes but laterally to decorate gardens in the Netherlands. By (1636-37) The tulips had become very fashionable and people of high status were prepared to pay a large price to have Tulips to decorate their gardens.

With the Tulip belonging to the bulb family, it became  much easier to produce more plants. The average man didn't take long, to realise the bulbs potential. These bulbs were expensive especially in the Netherlands, where the cost of a bulb could be as much as the price of a house. So the house, furniture and business were sold and their money invested. They supplied the wealthy people with these tulip bulbs, making a high profit for themselves.

"Wind Trader" was a name given to a large amount of bulbs which were still in the soil and were sold by their weight. The Tulips were available in many colours and laterally some had frilly petals. They became a status symbol meaning if you had them in your garden, then you must be very wealthy and rich indeed. Unfortunately, this was not to last for due to over production of the bulbs, prices began to drop and tulips lost their fame. The producers of the bulbs became bankrupt.

Since then Tulips have become more available not only as plants but cut flowers too. They look stunning on the centre of the dining table or on small table in the hallway. They have a way of showing themselves off in the simplest way.  Many of us have them around the house at the beginning of the year until late spring. They’re available in many colours and lend themselves to lots of different types of styles, including Bridal work, Reception arrangements and many others besides.

Dreaming

First of all, sit some where cool with no draughts. Close your eyes make sure your perfectly relaxed. You hear the music sound of quiet water running in the background. In your minds eye let me walk with you and lead you through into the secret garden with all its splendour. Imagine your quietly walking down a pathway of an Old English Country Garden. On either side of the centre path are tall posts with chains erected ten-twelve feet above the ground. Each post is covered in delicate fragrant roses growing up and along chains and covering it in pink and white blossoms. The perfume fills the air on a warm summer evening. These tall posts with high cross wrought iron chains of flowers form large window curtains, taking your eye to another place somewhere on the other side of the garden.

Drifts of colours blend into one another, small bush roses of delicate shades of pinks .Hibiscus with a dash of blue giving a splash of colour. Every now and then a touch of white as though a paint brush has slipped. Nicotiana and small annuals fill in the gaps at the front of the borders and Alchemilla mollis edges the path with its green-yellow florets delicately draping the pathways straight lines. Looking toward the rear of the borders stand, deep blue shades of Delphinium's and white Eremurus with its tall spikes. Behind the Delphiniums and to the centre of each window stands in its splendour the Cynara cardunculus (Artichoke thistle) with its large grey-silver sharp pointed foliage and its reddish colour artichoke shaped flower heads, standing 240cm high and 90cms wide positioned within the window of the rose chain.

The pathway leads to an arbour with three other pathways leading into and from it. The arbour is made of iron and is covered with white and pale pink Clematis, delicately covering the top and cascading down. Small deep pink spray roses grow up the outside of the arbour close to the border.  Sweet peas growing close by and your senses are teased with the delightful scents in the evening air.

I do like a bouquet to reflect the garden and looking as though the flowers were picked earlier from the garden and have been sitting in a cool room waiting to be dressed, conditioned and the foliage prepared for the arrangements.Unfortunately however although gardens have beautiful flowers throughout the seasons, commercially due to need of flowers on demand we are forced  to source our materials from further afield.  Originally certain flowers were unavailable if they were out of season. However now due to the English, Dutch, Colombia, Ecuador and many other countries, florists can now provide  roses and many other flowers almost all year round.

Artistic Flair

I have always loved the outdoor life, pottering around my garden and other peoples too. Growing flowers for the house and exhibitions. I have acquired a passion for flowers for the home and the garden.

Whilst in the borders I had been asked to do some floral arrangements for a lady who opened her gardens to the public to raise money for "Save the Children" Charity. On various occasions I was asked to make arrangement in certain rooms within her large house built in around 1725. The house was lovely standing within its own grounds looking down along the haugh by the river Leader. The lady of the house would ask me to help myself to any of the flowers from her gardens and use any containers that appealed to me around the house.  On one particular visit I found a set of antlers sitting on top of a high ended cupboard. Once I lifted it down my mind was full of ideas. I gently fixed oasis and tied it firmly with some tape. I collected my materials from the gardens and the outcome was something quite spectacular and admired by everyone. From then on I was asked each year or when ever there were parties/function to make up arrangements. The materials for making arrangements were wonderful as were her gardens.  I helped with the family weddings and preparations for garden openings..

My arty flair took me onto taking courses in the local college and a job working for a florist within the town of Melrose, where I worked for three and a half years.  I had a break from shop work but continued to do some private weddings of my friends. A few years later I was offered a position to work in a large corporate company in Edinburgh..  I gained a great deal of experience through working in large hotels through out Edinburgh and the Lothian's as well as general shop work, Arranging and designing weddings, funeral's and general sales work.

In 2009 I opened an online florist and gift shop.which you can visit by clicking the link to my website http://www.myflowerpot.co.uk

Nature's Flower Shop

I believe my time in the borders spoilt me in many ways. Due to different types of foliage being available at that time all costing little or nothing but was a great asset for me. Occasionally whilst out walking the dogs I would come across driftwood lying on the river banks or when working in greenhouses. I would find old vines which due to their bows bending whilst climbing inside the greenhouse made them perfect specimens for my type of work. They were regularly used for wedding pedestal arrangements, when the two bough's curved thus giving the effect of two half horse-shoes and with a natural fixture. I did so love making arrangements in natural containers, whenever possible. Driftwood, unusual stone and anything else that helps to design your portrait. So many textures and all so much, close at hand.

Amongst the woodland for example Pinus sylvestris (Scot Pine)and other different species of trees, Some standing over 100ft  high, it would creak your neck as you tried to search for the tree top.. Due to the different species, colours and textures both in the foliage and the flowers, each flower at my finger tips awaiting to be picked.  Looking towards the river bank I would noticed the snowdrops popping their little heads up in amongst the primroses.  There were variety of different snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis). As the seasons evolved the ferns and daffodils would start to show their faces but the smell of the wild garlic  would always hang in the air as you casually walked  along the driveway.

Looking out towards the river bank on the far-side of the driveway just to the east side of the house,  primroses appeared with their mass of green leaves followed by small pretty pale yellow flowers. They would spread out and form a blanket over the banking late winter early spring. The young Betula pendula (silver birch) which was once only a sucker stood six foot high cascading above the small primroses.

I have since returned to my native home and find that when I go to the flower market, all the foliage and flowers now come at a price. There are a substantial amount of flowers and foliage available in our markets of today. With most flowers being available through the year as they come in from countries around the world despite our seasonal changes.   It is now years on, as I look back and realise how lucky I was, then.

Galanthus nivalis

Galanthus nivalis - the wild snowdrop is one of the first of the bulbs to appear at the turn of the year breaking through the hard frosted undergrowth. Although February used to be the month for early spring flowers due to climate change we now see them appearing earlier in mid to late January.

Galanthus nivalis is a common variety snowdrop which grows below large trees within the woodland of a large estate nestled in and close to the river within the borders. In the late 1980's there seemed to be a noticeable change with the wild snowdrop on the estate. For although the snowdrop was known for its small and delicate heads, as the years progressed it became apparent  that the heads of the species, were larger and in some cases appeared double making them more attractive to the eye.

You would see them carpeting woodland banks with their vast array of narrow lanceolate greyish-green leaves. These larger varieties were scarce in those parts, around that time.  Unknown to many, small vans would appear down the driveway in the early hours of daylight. No-one noticed for sometime a large proportions of bulbs were disappearing. According to today's markets there are a maximum of twenty varieties throughout Europe, but these bulbs were quite rare in this area during that time.

It was interesting to observe as you walked along the driveway that trees on either side created an archway with their over baring straggly branches high above your head. Woodland ferns of various species would fill in the empty spaces of ground. Apart from the snowdrops, we had the pale wild yellow Primulas, all clustered together under the tall trees protected on a harsh cold morning during the winter months. Yet when the winter sun came out you could see their little faces stretching up high into the suns rays. Being a keen gardener at that time I noticed the heads of the Primulas changing colour too. Pale pinks and white heads began to appear on the banking's, yet no-one knew where they had come from and I hadn't put them there.

These small bulbs make a pretty gift when placed into a pot, wrapped in cello and tied in a pretty bow. The perfect gift for a New Spring Baby.

Reflections

With Valentine's day quickly approaching I find myself wanting to write a few lines on each of the rose hybrids which make this special day. There are three varieties of roses regularly purchased. I'll elaborate as I go along.  Firstly we have the Grand Prix rose or the creme de la creme of the flower industry.

Love me tender,
Love me sweet,

Never let me go

You have made my life complete,

And I love you so

The Grand Prix rose is exquisite. With its deep rich texture and colours from a deep dark red with the rose petals giving an almost a velvet appearance. The flower heads are large with beautifully shaped petals that only nature can provide.

Love me tender,

Love me true,

All my dreams fulfilled.

For my darlin' I love you,

And I always will

The Passion rose, this rose is also beautiful and has been a favourite for many years on Valentine's day. Blood red in colour which differs slightly from it's predecessor the Grand Prix. The petals are a different shape thus giving a lavish overall appearance. 

Love me tender,

Love me true,

All my dreams fulfilled.

For my darlin' I love you,

And I always will.

Finally, we have the Freedom rose. This rose is similar to the Passion  both in colour and petal shape.The rose heads are large and open into big blooms. The Freedom rose comes in from Colombia and at present is the least expensive. 'However, this could all change once people see how lovely it is, the cost will possibly increase."

When at last my dreams come true

Darling this I know

Happiness will follow you

      Everywhere you go.   

         

 "Love me Tender" Lyric's written by Vera Matson