OUR FAVOURITE SHOP
find beautiful bunches of just-cut british stems at this charming flower stall
Select your pick of the bunch at Flowers by the Bridge
Susanna Jarrett started in floristry 28 years ago and, after owning a shop for many years, downsized her business five years ago. Now, she has a flower stall at the side of her house, which is on a bridge over the River Meon, in Hampshire. She specialises in local flowers, many of which she grows herself.
What’s the style of the stall?
I set up my stall on a shoestring – collecting vintage ladders, wine crates, tin pails, vases and milk churns. Organically, a style arose.
tell us about the flowers…
During the summer, around half the flowers on my stall are from my allotment and the others come from local growers. I want to champion British flowers as much as I can while realising the need for Dutch flowers during winter, too. The flowers I grow myself are cut the evening before I sell them.
how is your stall different?
Using a combination of flowers, foliage and herbs, my bouquets have a slightly wild, just-picked look. My tag line is ‘Bridging the gap between you and your garden’.
Who visits your stall?
So many different the regulars, people the stop builders by. There who come are past bunch on for their the way missus’, home the to ladies ‘buy a who are ‘just popping out for lunch’ and pick up a jam jar of flowers on their way, and those heading to the burial ground nearby. Every person who visits has a story, and that is what makes running my little stall so interesting.
What can customers expect to find?
A range of differently priced bouquets as well as a selection of jam jars filled with seasonal flowers. In addition, I sell flowers by the bunch and stem that can be made up into a bouquet or bought loose. I also have cards, gifts, pots, homemade lavender bags and plants for sale.
What flowers are popular?
People are embracing the locally grown flowers – zinnias, dahlias, hips, herbs and scented English roses are all in demand. FLOWERS BY THE BRIDGE, WEST MEON ROAD, WEST MEON, PETERSFIELD, HAMPSHIRE GU32 1JG, 07970 280077, FLOWERSBYTHEBRIDGE.COM. OPEN 9AM-6PM ON THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS, AND 9AM-4PM SATURDAYS.