Clare Morris

Which course did you study at Tallulah Rose and when?

I started with the 3 day foundation course… gradually working my way up to the life changing 2 week career change (with intensive wedding and sympathy courses too).

What did you most enjoy about the course?

All of the courses have been wonderful in different ways. The career change gave me the confidence to step away from a long established career, to trust my creative instincts and follow my heart. I have cherished the creative opportunities, the focus on sustainable methods, the unwavering faith Rachel places in her students (including their ability to craft a career that works for them, aligned to their values). I have met such wonderful women through the course – florists and flower farmers who generously share their expertise with me too.

What has been your most memorable moment since finishing the course?

Two really contrasting ones! Flowering my daughters October wedding, with over 1000 flowers, several hundred of them being dahlias grown by fellow Tallulah’s only miles from the venue was big, bold, beautiful floristry. In extreme contrast, being trusted to dress the willow casket of a loved one lost, in the quiet hours before a funeral service was a privilege I won’t forget.

What’s the best part of having your own floristry business?

My floristry business is small and beautifully formed! It has its own pace and I have found ways of working that add value to my life rather than take away. We are very community orientated, and I love being able to add meaning to peoples lives through flowers

What’s the best piece of advice Rachel gave you?

Working sustainably with the seasons. Unwaveringly helpful in every decision I make, everything I create

What advice would you give your younger self starting our on your floristry journey?

Who knows! I became a florist as a segue into retirement. Throughout my career my advice to self has been to trust instincts, to value opportunities to work creatively (whether with head or hands) and to learn, learn, learn!

What has been your favourite Client request so far?

The joyfulness of wiring tiny Sylvanian babies into bridal party flowers! Magical!

Is there an opportunity that springs to mind that Tallulah Rose gave you the confidence to pursue?

I couldn’t have imagined what was possible when it came to creating beautiful, original, bespoke funeral flowers that are fully sustainable without Rachel’s unwavering faith and encouragement.

What is your favourite British flower and why?

The trickiest question of all!  After long deliberation I have chosen ranunculus – they are such a treat as the earth warms up in spring – I love the intensity of colour, the extremely ruffles and the dancing wiggly stems. They are so versatile.

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Profile photo credit: Graeme Corbett