King Charles’ gardener shares which flowers to avoid this Mother’s Day & why you must not buy them from the supermarket
WITH Mother’s Day right around the corner, if you aren’t sure what to get your mum this year, you’ve come to the right place.
Flowers are a staple of most people’s Mother’s Day, and with less than two weeks until the big day, you may be starting to think about which ones to buy.
According to King Charles’ former senior gardener Jack Stooks, there are two flowers you should stay clear of buying for March 30.
Not only this, but Jack also explained why you must never buy flowers from the supermarket.
Speaking to JeffBet, the gardening expert gave his top tips on how to impress your loved one this Mother’s Day, as well as advice on ways to keep your flowers thriving – including the one household object that could be the reason why they’re dying quicker than normal.
When it comes to which flowers Jack would recommend people buy for Mother’s Day, he expressed: “You should be getting your mum the flowers you know she will love.
“If you know she loves an orchid, get her an orchid. If she loves tulips, don’t think about any other flower – go with what she likes.
“If you’re wanting to get them a flower or a plant that will last a long time, I would recommend a cherry blossom plant as it will flower every year or a phalaenopsis orchid.
“They last quite a while and have more longevity. You’re getting your money’s worth and more enjoyment out of it.
“If not phalenopsis – I would suggest looking at potted plants, they’re a bit different to a bouquet and it makes for a lovely gift.”
Ditch roses and lilies
But whilst a phalaenopsis orchid is a top pick for Jack, he then warned: “You should avoid buying any flowers from the supermarket.
“I would avoid roses or lilies in particular. They’re likely to have been pre-packed and pre-bought from all over the world.
“You have no idea where they’ve come from half the time. They could likely have had loads of pesticides poured all over them and they just won’t last long at all.”
Not only this, but he also recognised: “Lilies can be toxic for a lot of pets, particularly cats and dogs.
Go to a florist or garden centre
“But if you really want to buy some, definitely ask the florist before you buy as they should know what they’re selling.
“There’s no point spending your money on something that will die so quickly. We need to start asking people where these flowers are grown and whether they are organic. It’s best to go with flowers or plants that are locally grown.”
You should avoid buying any flowers from the supermarket. I would avoid roses or lilies in particular
Jack Stooks
As a result, he advised: “You should go to a local florist or a garden centre, as they will have the freshest ones on offer.
“They will be able to put together a lovely bouquet for you, too.”
Make them last
And if you’re wondering how to make flowers last longer, Jack recommended: “The best way to keep your flowers lasting for a good amount of time is to put them in water straight away, and to change the water when it’s gone a bit dark.
“You don’t want too many leaves or fallen petals in the water as they will start to rot quickly, and the water will go bad from that – so make sure to clear them out.
The 5 best flowers to help bees to thrive
Nature experts at Faith In Nature have shared the 5 best flowers Brits can plant in their gardens to help bees thrive.
Rebecca Miller, Fabulous’ Associate Editor and keen gardener explains why “bees are brilliant”.
“They are vital. They pollinate our food and play a crucial role in our ecosystem. But climate change, the increasing use of pesticides and loss of habitat means bees are endangered. No matter how big your garden or outside space is, you can plant a flower or two to help bees.”
Lavender
Lavender can thrive in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It’s fragrant and flowers all-summer-long meaning it’s a big hit with bees – especially bumble bees.
Sunflowers
This cheery flower giant are bee-magnets. And if you look closely at a sunflower head, the big ‘flowers’ are actually a cluster of small flowers, called an inflorescence which attract pollinators.
Ideally, grow sunflowers in groups to provide nectar and pollen for as many bees as possible. At the end of summer, collect the dried seeds from the sunflower heads to feed the birds or plant next year.
Heather
These abundant, bell-shaped blooms are brimming with nectar and pollen – which is good news for bees.
Cornflowers
A vivid blue wildflower, cornflowers are often planted alongside other meadow blooms, like ox-eye daisies and poppies.
They grow on tall stems and are packed with nectar, making them particularly attractive to bees. Cornflowers bloom for a long time and are simple to grow, so they’re perfect for first-time gardeners and experienced alike.
Crocuses (and snowdrops)
Later this summer, when you’re starting to plan for your Spring displays, consider crocuses and snowdrops.
They provide bees, such as the queen buff-tailed bumblebee and male hairy-footed flower bees, with vital early pollen as they emerge from their winter hibernation.
“To prevent leaves falling into the water, I would recommend snipping off any leaves that are low down on the stems before placing them into the vase.”
As well as this, he explained: “You should avoid keeping the flowers in a place that gets too hot. For example, anywhere near a radiator or a fireplace, as they won’t last very long at all.
“You should also keep them away from direct daylight. You want to put them somewhere nice and cool.
“Flowers typically last longer when in a cooler place, but of course some would need more warmth than others.”
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