With a masters degree in Town Planning and a job in planning and development, Polly Smith made the bold decision to embark on a complete change of career in August last year when she left the corporate world to pursue her passion for floristry. We recently caught up with Polly to ask about her love of floristry and the inspiration behind her business, Polly’s Petals Floristry, and to chat about life in Northumberland, where she lives.
Thanks for chatting with us Polly. Firstly, can you tell us a bit about you and what you do?
Hello, I’m Polly and in August last year I decided to leave my corporate job in planning and development to peruse my passion for floristry. I’ve always loved flowers, textiles and art and design, and floristry brings all these elements together. After training at the Tallulah Rose Flower School I launched Polly’s Petals Floristry. I specialise in bespoke wedding, event and farewell flowers alongside running floral workshops. My work is inspired by nature and draws on the traditions of English country gardens.
Guessing you can do your job from anywhere, what led you to live in this area?
I am lucky enough to have grown up in Northumberland, and live near Alnwick, where I have a workshop and I am busy establishing my cutting garden. It is a beautiful part of the country. In fact I recently had the opportunity to showcase a small part of where I am from and what I do as I hosted a hand tied bouquet workshop for Robson Green and his two sisters on Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes, which is set to air in January 2024 on BBC 2.
Your work is so beautiful and highly skilled – do you think the area you live influences your work?
Absolutely, I love the outdoors and it greatly inspires my work. I’m always watching the constantly changing cycle of nature and the seasons whilst out walking. Throughout my designs I strive to incorporate the most unusual (be it a seed pod to an acorn) with the best in season to combine unusuality with wow factor.
A lot of my floral material comes from my garden and Northumbrian farms. As I progress, I am hoping to develop a cutting garden to showcase a greater variety of British flowers. It would be amazing to be 100% British, but currently I can’t get the quantity or variety that I require so I am reliant upon Dutch growers.
Do you have a favourite type of flowers or season to work with, or do you enjoy the variation?
One of my favourite things about floristry is the changing seasons, which brings a constant variation of material. I am rather girly; my favourite colour is pink and my favourite flowers are tulips, ranunculus, garden roses and peonies. However, my favourite season by far is autumn. It is abundant in colours, textures and tones. I find wreaths a brilliant way to showcase colours and textures through a combination of fresh and dried florals.
Autumn is also a great time for drying flowers as the garden is dying off and needs cut back. As the season is a little quieter, with the majority of the weddings being held over the summer months, autumn is filled with Christmas preparations. Flowers and seed pods are dried, nuts and cones are collected and spring bulbs are planted.
You do lots of events – can you tell us about your events season as it must be amazing when you see your creations come to life and when clients see your work in place?
Event season is very busy. Creating wedding florals and installing them is only half of the process. Couples have their final meetings a few weeks ahead of the big day; floral masterplans are completed, floral mechanics are designed and made, and flower orders are processed. I work closely with couples to understand their vision, what colours and flowers they like, before helping them design the perfect florals for their venue.
I have a lovely little team of freelance florists who I’d be lost without. We travel all over Northumberland and get to visit some amazing places, from Northumberland castles to rural churches. My favourite moment is always giving the bride her bouquet; it’s so special to see her moments before she heads down the aisle.
What does a working day look like for you?
My days are always varied. When not making wedding florals, I could be picking for the next job, planting or sowing, meeting with brides, attending site visits, sending quotes, planning workshops, calculating stem counts and designing or making farewell flowers. As a florist you always need to be working a season ahead. When I do get some time off, I love to get outside with Rhu the dog and explore Northumberland.
Where do you most enjoy escaping to when you are not working?
Locally, for good walks, I love to visit Hulne Park, Simonside Hills and Sugar Sands. Further afield, St Abbs, the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands.
Are there any local businesses that would you like to highlight in your area?
For lovely interiors – Marilyn & Melrose in Alnwick and Junk and Disorderly and 27 Art House in Berwick.
For a special dinner or night away – The Cookie Jar, Alnwick.
Great country pub and cafes – Pack Horse, Ellingham , The Cross Inn, Paxton, Bertrams, Warkworth , and The Stable Yard, Craster.
Farm Shops – The Village Farm Shop, Embleton.
Gardens – Alnwick Garden, Howick Hall Gardens, and Wallington House Gardens.
What are you working on at the moment and what’s next for you and your business?
With Christmas just around the corner, I am currently preparing for wreath season. I run lots of wreath making workshops as well as make wreaths and DIY wreath making kits, which have been a huge success for people hosting their own Christmas wreath making parties. This year I’m opening a gift shop at West Cawledge Park, Alnwick, NE66 2HJ, which will be full of seasonal florals, potted bulbs and homewares.
Finally, if you were to describe your dream home what would it look like?
A country cottage with a south facing garden, tucked away down a lane encompassed by hedgerows full of honeysuckle and hawthorn.
To enquire about workshops or place an order, please email polly@pollyspetalsfloristry.com.
Discover more
