At Bond & Bloom, not only are we passionate about flowers, but we are also passionate about the twin towns, and county, that inspire us. As independent, artisanal florists, we would like to share those passions, and showcase why we find such inspiration in the nature around us. With that in mind we thought we would like to provide a little history of the area and the local flowers that inspire us, and hope we can inspire you, too!
Situated in the borough of Flyde, Lancashire, Lytham St Annes is a picturesque seaside town and includes the areas of Lytham, St Annes-on-Sea, Andell and Saltcoates. It is directly south of Blackpool on the Ribble estuary and is perhaps most famous for being home to Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf club, which has hosted The Open Championship eleven times and the Women’s British Open five times. However, there is more to the area than that, and in addition to an expansive sandy beach, Victorian pier and historic windmill, the dual towns are situated in some of the finest countryside the UK has to offer. There are numerous parks and gardens in the area, reflecting its status as an idyllic seaside resort and showcasing the county flower of Lancashire, the red rose. In fact, the seafront is lined with gardens incorporating flower and rose beds, waterfalls, ponds and ornamental statuary reflecting the history of the area.
Lancaster’s Red Rose, sometimes referred to as Apothecary’s Rose, Old Red Damask or the Rose of Provins, is possibly the first cultivated rose. It grew wild throughout Central Asia and was first discovered by the Persians and Egyptians (both cultures were keen florists) and later adopted by the Romans, who in turn introduced it to Gaul where it assumed the name Rosa Gallica. Whilst the rose is one of the most visible flowers in the area, there is numerous other local floras to ignite the passion of amateur and professional florists alike. Despite being heavily involved in the Industrial revolution, Lancaster is awash with nature reserves and parks which really showcase the beautiful, and diverse, scenery the area has to offer. When plants come into flower, Lancashire becomes a county of colours and wildlife. It is no wonder florists find endless sources of inspiration here.
In fact, the entire Ribble estuary is a nature reserve and home to various nesting and migratory birds. Both sides of the estuary comprise the UK’s largest expanse of sand dunes and are home to a multitude of animal and plant life. The area is renowned for having a diverse and colourful plant and flower collection. Barnaby’s Sands and Burrows Marsh is one of the best kept secrets in the area, if not in the entire UK. It is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers alike. In addition to the bird life, it is also one of the last un-grazed areas of saltmarsh in the country and there are coastal wildflowers to brighten anyone’s day. Cop Lane is another unsung hero of the area, providing food and shelter for birds and nectar for the insects. The area has been so well-managed that five species of orchid have been encouraged to flower here. Bees buzz and birds feed amongst goat willow and hawthorn trees and there are several species of butterfly taking advantage of the nectar-rich flowers that thrive here.
As you can see, the sheer abundance of nature in the area is a dream for artisanal florists like ourselves, and we strive to showcase the various flowers found right here on our doorstep. We provide bouquets for all occasions and are certain we have the right collection of flowers for you.