Blog
I miss the Hills – a poem by Michelle and farewell from Louise
Michelle wrote this poem in 2018 and it was read at her funeral. I Miss the Hills Sometimes I miss the hills The beautiful, terrible hills A gasping ascent to a transcendent summit Misty slopes and jagged edges There is a part of me in the hills Deep in the...
Birthday Treat
I look forward to my birthday because it’s a great excuse for treating myself. I often think we don’t treat ourselves enough but I certainly made up for that recently when I booked a full day workshop with Sarah from Simply by Arrangement, the famous florist from...
Our Crafty Gardener Philosophy
I love gardens, you won’t be surprised to learn. I love sitting in my garden watching the bees on the flowers and listening to the birds sing. I love going back to gardens I have designed to see how they have changed and grown. But, you may be surprised to...
Spring time
I don’t know about you but I love being led by the Seasons and I am really enjoying Spring this year. I am filled with such cheer when I see banks of bright sunny daffodils; taking a woodland walk and drawing in deep breathes of the hyacinth like scent of bluebells...
Valentine Flowers
Valentine’s day is inextricably linked with flowers. It’s a celebration of romance in the UK but in other countries it’s a celebration of friendship and kindness. Understandably there is often some backlash against the commercial pressure of the day however it is a...
Creating a Calm Garden
A garden should be a place of comfort. A place where you can have a quiet moment and let your worries slip away. When you catch sight of your garden through a window, your spirits should lift and your shoulders drop. So, how to achieve this oasis of calm in your back...
How to make the most from your supermarket flowers
A lady came up to me at the end of my floral demonstration to the Wrington WI last week and thanked me for being reminded of something we all know - flowers make a truly memorable gift. I’d said that I had read somewhere that 94 % of people surveyed...
How to make the most from your supermarket flowers PART 2
In the first part of the blog called How to make the most from your supermarket flowers I gave you step by step instruction on how to create a single colour knock out using the spiralling technique. Using the same technique I am going to show you how to add a collar...
Bulbs – The Perfect Plant?
Clients often ask me how they can have colourful flowers all year round. They don’t want a lot of fuss and bother. Something that you can plant and leave. Does such a fantasy plant exist? Absolutely! Bulbs are the perfect plant. Most bulbs will not only...
Louise on the Radio
I was pleasantly surprised to be invited by Steve Yabsley to be his main guest on his BBC Bristol lunchtime show. The timing was fantastic as I was launching The Crafty Gardeners in early 2018 and this would be a brilliant chance to speak about it. It was...
Design Tips to Transform your Garden for the Summer
Winter is a perfect time of year for planning garden improvements. Here are five tips for a summer garden transformation. Create Structure Winter is the best time of year to check if your garden has any backbone. A garden should have a skeletal shape that...
Making a Christmas Wreath (video)
Frome Independent Nurseries
Frome has a choice of local independent nurseries where you can rely on friendly expert advice and the confidence that comes with buying locally grown plants. Crafty Gardeners designer Michelle Wake reviews what’s available and asks for tips on plants for...
Planning Garden Borders
Does the planting in your garden run out of steam half-way through the season? Designing a garden full of plants that look attractive all year requires some forward planning. On this day long workshop we share the key tips and techniques that professionals use to keep...
Creating Garden Plans
Does your garden need pulling together? Have you struggled to create an overall layout that works for you? This day long workshop reveals a tried and tested method for planning a garden that will connect your garden to the house and make the garden feel much bigger....
Failsafe Garden Plants
Between us, we've designed and built over 100 gardens. On this half-day workshop we'll spill the beans and reveal the plants that we rely on to work well in any garden. We'll explain how understanding the six layers of planting that occur naturally in any English...
Christmas Wreath Making
It’s that time of year again when you can take some time out and create your own Christmas wreath. There will be lots of traditional greenery, plus dried and foraged material to choose from, so you can make your wreath as wild and natural as you dare. Plus I am...
Hand tied bouquet
Do you love flowers but wish you could display them better? Join me for a relaxing morning learning a simple florist technique to make and gift wrap a hand-tied bouquet, perfect for a table arrangement or present. In small groups of fewer than 10 people, you’ll learn...
Vase Arrangement
Do you love flowers and wish you could make a better display with them? Come along to our vase workshop and learn how to make a front facing display that would look good on a mantlepiece or shelf or in the round for a table centre. Taught in small groups of fewer than...
Pick Your Own Flowers with Vase Arrangement workshop
This Deluxe workshop is the perfect treat for anyone who loves flowers. Combining the wonderful experience of picking your own flowers from Alison's flower farm at Floral Acre with our Vase Arrangement workshop you'll make a unique and truly personal display to take...