Touring Florist - Chapter Two
It’s been a couple of weeks since I wrote my last Touring Florist entry, and to be honest, I was wondering whether or not to write one at all this weekend.
The last two weeks have been spent in Auckland, which simultaneously has been experiencing the worst flooding in its history. We’ve had almost two weeks of floods, land slips, on/off power and never ending damage to properties and land. So guess what - this is super bad news for the florists and growers who rely on the weather & earth to produce their beautiful flowers, and due to this, my flowery fun seems be on a temporary pause.
I’ve felt a little deflated after my initial high of arriving here, getting cabin fever sitting inside waiting for the sunshine and summer to return (spoiler - it still hasn’t fully). I’m fortunate that I don’t get homesick, so I’ve mainly managed to get through it by looking forward to all the adventures to come.
As I’ve sat here with the keypad, wondering what I’d write about as there haven’t been as many flowers as I’d like, I realised that there have been some incredible highlights that are easy to see if you just scratch the surface.
My hosts
I’ve spent the last two weeks living with the Bakers.
Yvonne who owns a cut flower garden called Garden on the Hill runs her business from a lovely home in Auckland. The family home is full of energy, with two young boys called Ben & Alex, who have been off on their school holidays (indefinitely with start of the year dates being postponed).
We’ve spent time cutting flowers, preparing market bunches, picking fruit, playing frisbee & plenty of monopoly to pass the rainy days. It’s been a joy to be a part of, with all of them really making me feel like a part of their family.
Plus there are plenty of lovely flowers to pick from when the sun decides to shine.
I got myself some wheels
New Zealand is renowned for having awful public transport, so getting my hands on a camper was pretty essential if I want to see this country and all it’s flowers with flexibility.
The camper is perfect, and allows me freedom to roam around many of the flower farms I’ve got pencilled onto my ‘to visit’ list.
It’s got space to store all of my things, plenty of flowers, plus a little kitchen and sleep area so I can hit the road and everything can come with me.
Floral Collective Aotearoa
Honestly though, why don't we have these collective markets over in the UK?
Earlier in the week, I took a trip to the Floral Collective Aoteatoa - a wholesale market place for local growers and florists.
There was plenty of seasonal treasure to be discovered, freshly picked and with much smaller travel miles than anything imported could ever have. Perfect for any of those last minute wedding additions you need and for some beautiful bouqs, or for growers to shift a flush of their flowers.
We need so much more of this, working collaboratively to support efforts to improve sustainability in the floral industry.
All in all, it’s not been that bad a time!
I reckon that’s me over and out for this entry, but I’m glad to have started meeting a few of Auckland’s florists and growers, and there’s many more creations to come.
I’m off down the coast for the weekend, chasing the waves and the sunshine, so catch up soon. And keep a look out on Instagram for Bryonia’s next adventure.
Jenna
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