Joanna Underdown

Which course did you study at Tallulah Rose and when?

I studied the Career Change Course back in February 2020

What did you most enjoy about the course?

I enjoyed many, many things about the course’, firstly the content, having ‘faffed’ around with flowers for a while I really wanted to ‘learn mechanics’ and formalise the ‘how to’.  As an avid grower (well in truth that’s my hubby Baz’s domain!) I absolutely love Rachel’s passion for using British flowers and actually introduced me to Claire Brown’s book – The British Flower Book and is a champion for Flowers from the Farm, which I am now a member of.  And of course, met some lovely people and stayed in touch with them.

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

Most memorable moment since leaving the course, is probably getting my own fully operational flower studio where we now live, along with our flower farm (around 3 acres) and plant nursery, Giddy Kippers Plants.

What is the best part of having your own floristry business?

I think the best thing about having your own floristry business, is simply doing something you love. Yes it’s hard work flower farming, but being able to create beautiful blooms and then turning those into floral creations that touch people and make them smile, is priceless.

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

The thing I remember Rachel said to our group was ‘When you’re starting out, say Yes to everything ‘!

What would you say makes your floristry business unique?

I now specialise in Eco Farewell flowers and walk families round our Flower Farm listening to who their loved one was, and what they liked.  As we do this, I cut a posy jar of the blooms they like, to take home as the next time they see their farewell flowers will be on the day of the Farewell.  We also tie the two brands together by offering a extensive range of Cutting Garden plants for people to create their own Cutting Patch at home, growing a lot of your usual cottage garden flowers, such as Delphiniums, Lupins and Echinacea’s, we also grow more unusual varieties such as Orlaya, Ammi and Daucus Carota which is rarely found in Garden Centres.

If you could choose any course to study or restudy at Tallulah Rose, which once would it be?

If I were to choose a course I would probably go for a Wedding one.

What’s been your favourite Client request so far?

My favourite customer requests are always Farewell Flowers, as I believe it is such a privilege and honour to mark such a personal part of someone’s life.  I have just created a shareable basket of posy jars, so that people can take a remembrance posy home.

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

I think TR has given me the confidence to consider and take on all manner of different requests, such as corporate demonstration days, workshops and talks. We’ve even had a researcher for Gardeners World contact us about flower farming and our floristry work.

What is your favourite British flower you grow on your farm and why?

Favourite flowers, gosh how hard is this?!?  I think it does depend on the season so I probably have more than one, but if pushed I love a Dahlia, the varieties are just amazing and really help that autumn season with some showstopper blooms and an extensive colour palette.

Click here for more information about The Gatherer Florist 

Profile photo credit: Samantha from Venus Photographic Studies