PULSE Newsletter Issue 5

The Name Dropping Issue!

The RHS Sandringham Flower Show ran from 22–26 July 2026 at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk — the private country retreat of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

New for 2026, the show features a garden designed in direct collaboration with His Majesty The King, celebrating his lifelong passion for horticulture and sustainable gardening. Award-winning garden designer Catherine MacDonald brought the concept to life across the estate's grounds.

The show drew visitors with show gardens, expert talks, demonstrations, local produce and family activities against the backdrop of one of Britain's most iconic royal estates. A free shuttle bus from King's Lynn Station made the event accessible to day-trippers from further afield.

For UK florists and their customers, a show with royal endorsement puts gardening and flowers firmly in the mainstream summer spotlight — a great moment to capitalise on seasonal interest and direct people to beautiful British blooms.

One of the joys of the UK floristry industry is its creativity. Florists don't just express themselves through flowers; we’ve found many do it through their business names too.

From film-inspired wordplay to clever botanical puns, Britain's independent florists continue to prove they're every bit as creative with language as they are with flowers.

A great florist name does far more than make people laugh.

It gives customers something to remember. It's easier to recommend. It sparks conversations. It encourages social media shares. It helps create an identity that goes beyond simply selling flowers. In a world where customers are bombarded with brands every day, being memorable is no bad thing.

The best names also tell customers what kind of florist they might be walking into. Traditional. Contemporary. Wild. Luxurious. Fun. Alternative. A good name starts setting expectations long before the first bouquet is seen.

Welcome to the Dark Side

Based in Bangor, established florist Dark Side of the Bloom has over 43 years of experience, yet there's nothing old-fashioned about the branding.

Borrowing inspiration from one of Pink Floyd’s albums, the name instantly tells customers that this isn't your average flower shop.

The business specialises in being a little different, describing itself as offering bespoke sympathy and wedding work alongside wildflower designs and completely biodegradable products.

Their philosophy simply says they specialise in "different!"

It's exactly the sort of branding that attracts customers looking for something unique and reflects the owner's individuality before they've even arranged a single stem. Check out their facebook page here

Here are some important floral dates for your diary:

6 August 2026 – BFA Industry Awards: Public vote opens (finalists announced 12 Aug)

27 September 2026 – National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs National Final — Floral Art

3 October 2026 – BFA Industry Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner, Nottingham (FleurEx 2026)

October 2026 – FleurEx 2026 BFA's flagship event for retail florists and students

RHS Sandringham Flower Show 2026: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show

RHS Royal Legacy Garden at Sandringham 2026: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show/news/2026/rhs-royal-legacy-garden

https://www.facebook.com/TheBritishMonarchy