My English Garden
Lucy Vail, award-winning florist and youngest-ever designer of the Royal Entrance at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, lives with husband, Archie, and their baby, Alfie, in London
What kind of English home do you have?
We live in a three bedroom flat in Clapham Old town, with a beautiful courtyard garden. It’s a lovely part of London to live in. We moved here in October last year when Alfie was born.
How did you design your own garden?
We wanted to make the most of the space we had so we worked with garden designer Tabi Jackson Gee. We added mirrors to open the space up and climbers growing up the old brick wall. There is also a beautiful archway full of roses and clematis as you walk into the garden and I have lots of terracotta pots by my back door, filled with plants left over from jobs. It’s my safe haven before I start the working day.
Do your surroundings inspire your work?
I am extremely lucky to work closely with my mother, Amanda, who runs Floriston, a beautiful flower farm in Suffolk (left) which is full of inspiration. I also work with other growers, depending on where the project takes place.
Last year we did a three-day wedding at Villa d’Este in Italy so found local growers to supply for that. We work hard and fast but it’s thrilling.
Has your family home Floriston Farm inspired your aesthetic and how?
Growing up at Floriston, surrounded by such beautiful gardens, definitely influenced my style. I believe that floral designs should be as organic as possible, and am known for drawing inspiration from the natural world and ‘bringing the outside in’. My father has always been green-fingered and put a lot of time and effort into designing the gardens at Floriston to look as natural as possible. My favourite places are the cow parsley meadow and the oxeye daisy field. The bearded irises that pop up in June are something to behold too!
What have been your most exciting projects and why?
Last year for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show we designed the main entrance and the year before that we designed the Royal Entrance, which was a real ‘pinch me’ moment. Our designs celebrated the Platinum Jubilee and seeing the late Queen drive through and admire the archway was truly the proudest moment of my career.
How would you describe your floristry style today?
It’s really important to me that every design looks organic and flowers are not suffocated or too tightly compacted. By grouping colours and textures together, each variety gets its moment to shine. Our designs are curated but natural.
What should no English garden and home be without?
Climbing roses and clematis and wigwams of sweetpeas, which are surprisingly easy to make but always impress. Inside, our flat is packed with house plants and potted seasonal bulbs in my Matilda Goad shell planter. ■
‘Seeing the late Queen drive through and admire the archway was truly the proudest moment’