February is a frantic month for Andrew Fleming. No sooner than the last Christmas tree leaves his shop he is talking to suppliers about Valentine roses and spring bouquets for Mother’s Day.
Andrew has been working with flowers for 23 years. Starting at the age of 18 selling bunches of flowers at The Chocolate Box in New Parade (now Greystoke Flooring) he moved to his current premises in 2002. There isn’t much he doesn’t know about the business. But, he says, it has changed considerably.
“ In the early years I went to Covent Garden three times a week for stock. I now buy direct from flower acutions in Holland and get four deliveries a week to the shop. I try to choose something unusual every time. I always cary a large stock and only order the best which is easy as everything is graded (Roses by the length of the stem, the size of the head and quality – A1, A2, B1 or B2) . People are finding us online and regular home deliveries have increased – many are bought as gifts. Flowers are considered more as part of room styling now so our home accessories, especially our shabby chic planted crates and metalware baskets, sell well too. At this time of year brightly coloured mixed spring bouquets are a favourite. We have stunning roses ready for Valentine’s, like Lemonade and Moody Blue (a crushed raspberry colour!) And lilac Memory Lane roses are always popular. Our Valentine roses will be cut and shipped to us from Equador quicker than we get daffs from Lincolnshire!
Andrew Fleming Florist 01923 283924
Open Mon – Sat: 9am – 5pm
Special Opening Hours
Sun 14 Feb 9am – 2pm
Sun 6 March 9am – 2pm