June is the best month to embrace the essence of an English Country Garden in your flower arrangements.

At last! June is here and with it the long-overdue promise of Summer. We also get to welcome back the floral gorgeousness of English country gardens, where the beauty of nature flourishes and brings forth a vibrant tapestry of colours, scents, and textures that inspire us to recreate the magic in our own floral arrangements.

So I thought it'd be nice to delve into the world of June's most popular flowers and foliage and talk a bit about the blooms that we considered in the shop when we wanted to capture the essence of an English country garden in our Bouquet of the Month.

I'll also cover some of the wonderful locations in Surrey that often serve as a source of inspiration for our floral designs. So, grab a cup of tea (or even a G&T) and let's craft a bouquet that exudes the spirit of an English country garden.

1. Roses: The quintessential English beauty
   Whenever I think of an English country garden, roses immediately spring to mind. These cherished flowers come in an endless array of varieties, colours, and fragrances, making them an ideal centrepiece for your June arrangement. To evoke the romantic and elegant ambience of an English garden, seek out classic rose varieties such as locally grown English roses, hybrid teas, and floribundas. Opt for soft pastel shades like blush pinks and creamy whites, as they embody the romantic charm of an English rose garden.
2. Delphiniums: For a touch of splendour
   To add height, drama, and a touch of majestic splendour to your arrangement, embrace the regal delphiniums. These towering spires of blooms in shades of blue, purple, and white will transport you directly to the heart of a traditional English country garden. Their vibrant colours and stately presence command attention, infusing your bouquet with a sense of grandeur and enchantment.
3. Sweet Peas: Fragrance and delicacy
   For a fragrant and delicately beautiful addition to your June arrangement, consider incorporating sweet peas. These charming flowers are available in an array of pastel colours, emitting a delightful scent that epitomises the essence of an English garden. The dainty blooms and graceful tendrils of sweet peas impart a sense of whimsy and elegance to any bouquet, evoking the gentle breeze and delicate touch of nature.
4. Lupines: Wildflower grace
   To recreate the wild and enchanting ambience of an English country garden, turn to the ethereal charm of lupines. These tall, bell-shaped blossoms in shades of pink and purple add a touch of natural beauty and a sense of wonder to any bouquet. With their architectural form and a nod to the English countryside, lupines infuse your arrangement with a captivating visual impact, invoking images of slightly untamed traditional English cottage gardens.
5. Lavender: Fragrant serenity
   No English country garden is complete without the soothing aroma of lavender. Including sprigs of this fragrant herb in your arrangement not only adds visual interest but also infuses it with an unmistakable sense of serenity and nostalgia. The delicate purple spikes of lavender bring not just their beauty but also a calming influence reminiscent of the idyllic English countryside.
6. Alchemilla: Textured greenery
   To provide texture, colour contrast, and a touch of freshness, Alchemilla, commonly known as lady's mantle, is a foliage option that brings a unique touch to your bouquet. It features soft, slightly fuzzy leaves that have a scalloped edge and a pale green colour.
   The intricate texture of Alchemilla leaves adds a delicate and whimsical element to arrangements, and their ability to catch and hold water droplets can create a captivating dew-kissed effect. Their foliage is an excellent backdrop for showcasing the vibrant blooms while adding depth and visual interest to your arrangement.
7. Frilly Clematis: Whimsy and sophistication
   Clematis blooms come in various forms, including single, semi-double, and double flowers, with the double-flowered varieties exhibiting the frilliest appearance. These frilly petals create a captivating and romantic effect, reminiscent of old-fashioned charm and grace. Clematis flowers are available in a range of colours, such as white, pink, purple, blue, and even bicolour combinations, providing ample choices to suit your desired aesthetic.

8. Scented Stocks: For nostalgia and romance
   We absolutely love it when the scented stocks are in season. They come in so many shades of soft pink, purples and whites, and even vibrant hues like magenta and red. They fill the air with a delightful fragrance that is wonderfully reminiscent of traditional English cottage gardens. They have tall, sturdy stems, making them suitable for creating vertical interest and adding structure to your arrangement. Their lush foliage also provides a contrasting backdrop to the delicate blooms of other flowers.

The final recipe

In the end, we settled on a balance of Peonies (because it would be criminal not to while we can still get them), Scented Stocks, Achillea, Frilly Clematis, Veronica, and dainty Tea Roses for our June Bouquet of the Month. If you like the idea you can order one online here, or why not give it a go yourself? Just give us a call at the shop and tell us what you want to do, and we can put together a loose wrap of all the core stems, left uncut for you to trim and arrange into your own unique arrangement.

Where to find your own inspiration in Surrey:

While creating our English country garden-inspired bouquet, we took our inspiration from the rich garden heritage of Surrey. Now June is upon us there really is no better time to pay a few of them a visit and see what cues they offer. Here are a few locations in the county that will immerse you in the beauty of traditional English cottage gardens:

1. RHS Garden Wisley: Just off the A3 near Ripley (and friend of the shop, Miss Bush Bridal), RHS Garden Wisley is a haven for garden enthusiasts. It's one of my husband Darren's favourite places, and every visit brings out tales of hide & seek in the glasshouses during childhood visits with his mum.
   Explore the stunning gardens and draw inspiration from the exquisite displays that showcase the true essence of an English country garden. Wander through the rose gardens, cottage gardens, and herbaceous borders to witness the captivating beauty that lies at the heart of an English garden.
2. Polesden Lacey: Situated just down the road from our wedding studio in Dorking, Polesden Lacey is a National Trust property boasting magnificent gardens. Take a leisurely stroll through the grounds, revelling in the sweeping lawns, vibrant borders, and breathtaking views of the Surrey Hills. The terraced gardens, herbaceous borders, and carefully cultivated rose gardens offer a classic English country garden experience.
3. Loseley Park: One of our favourite wedding venues, Loseley Park near Guildford is an idyllic estate renowned for its picturesque gardens. The walled garden stands as a testament to timeless beauty, showcasing a mix of formal planting, herbaceous borders, and a delightful rose garden. We did a lovely styled photoshoot here a couple of years ago, where we took inspiration for our florals from the gorgeous surroundings.
4. Claremont Landscape Garden: Located near Esher, Claremont Landscape Garden is a serene and historic garden with a charming lake, sweeping lawns, and captivating woodland walks. It's a favourite amongst many of the team here, with its naturalistic planting, tranquil ponds, and carefully curated landscapes. Claremont is a great place to experience a mix of art and nature that defines the essence of an English garden.

So as June unfolds in Surrey, there's no better time to immerse yourself in the beauty of an English country garden. Selecting the right flowers and foliage, such as peonies roses, delphiniums, sweet peas, lavender, and scented stocks, will help you create a bouquet that evokes the romance of wistful, slightly rambling village gardens.

Take your inspiration from renowned spaces in Surrey, such as RHS Garden Wisley, Polesden Lacey and Loseley Park, and you'll infuse your arrangement with the spirit of traditional country cottage gardens. 

I hope you enjoy creating your own beautiful floral displays with some of these stunning June flowers. We'd love to see your creations, so don't forget to tag or mention us on any posts.

Have fun and let your imagination bloom!