Latest news with #Asters
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Lincolnshire florist grows five million asters for Tesco demand
Flowers grown in Lincolnshire which were popular in Victorian times are making a huge comeback, according to a major supermarket.L&D Flowers, based in Pinchbeck near Spalding, is the UK's biggest producer of asters and the company has grown five million stems for this season to meet desire for bouquets of asters, daisy-like flowers that come in several different colours, has risen by almost 350% over the last two sales years at Lacey, managing director at L&D Flowers, said: "We've really been taken back by just how popular the flower has become in so short a space of time." Asters, which bloom in late summer, were popular in 19th Century England when floriography, the language of flowers, was used as a subtle way of expressing feelings. Mr Lacey said L&D Flowers started growing asters three years ago, and made enough to create 100,000 said they were told these bunches "flew off the shelves" in 2022."This year we've grown enough for 1.2 million bunches which is an increase of 1,100% on our initial planting," he asters are grown on grade one silt soils in south Lincolnshire which Mr Lacey described as "very fertile" and "retains moisture well" which has helped the business during the summer heatwaves. Tesco Flowers expert and technical manager, Jamie Simpson, said the supermarket started selling asters in 2022 "not only because they look lovely but also because they are such great value for money".Mr Simpson said in 2022 they sold 215,000 bunches and the popularity rose in years following that with 500,000 sold last year."This year we hope to sell nearly double that," he are native to Japan and are a member of the Asteraceae family, along with other popular flowers including sunflowers, dahlias, and chrysanthemums. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
The Victorian flower making a comeback with British shoppers
Asters, popular in Victorian times for communicating feelings, are making a big comeback with Britons. A major UK supermarket has reported demand for the blooms rocketing by nearly 350 per cent over the last two sales years. Asters were widely bought and displayed in the 19th century, when floriography – the language of flowers, used to discreetly communicate feelings – blossomed. English etiquette at the time discouraged displays of open emotion. Jamie Simpson, Tesco Flowers expert and technical manager, said the supermarket started selling asters in 2022 "not only because they look lovely but also because they are such great value for money". He added: "In that first year we sold 215,000 bunches but they became so popular so quickly that last year we sold 500,000." Mr Simpson hopes to "sell nearly double that" this year. For Victorian Britons, asters were seen as a symbol of love, patience and wisdom, making them an ideal gift for a loved one. They also represented elegance and grace, two qualities that were prized during the Victorian era. 'Asters are glorious flowers that have only recently come back into vogue with growers but that, in just two years, have made a sensational impact with shoppers,' said Mr Simpson. 'Aster Matsumoto which are also known as Japanese Aster, bear beautiful, large daisy-like flower heads and come in many different colours such as blue, purple, pink, dark pink, red, and white all with a bright yellow centre.' The UK's biggest grower of asters, L&D Flowers based in Pinchbeck near Spalding, Lincolnshire, has grown five million stems for this season to meet demand. James Lacey, managing director at L&D Flowers, said: 'Similar to a lot of fruit grown in the UK this year we have experienced a bumper crop of asters this summer because of all the sunshine and extra hours of daylight. 'We only started growing asters three years ago as a result of the success we have had with sunflowers but we've really been taken back by just how popular the flower has become in so short a space of time. 'In 2022, to start with, we planted enough asters to create 100,000 bunches which we've been told flew off the shelves. 'This year we've grown enough for 1.2 million bunches which is an increase of 1,100 per cent on our initial planting. 'We grow the asters on the grade one silt soils of south Lincolnshire which are not only very fertile but also retain moisture well which has helped us through all the heatwaves which we have had this summer.' According to Tesco, the reason asters have become so popular is that they are an impactful, British seasonal flower, with vivid colours, a good vase life and are priced at just £3 a bouquet. Asters are fast growing annual flowers that bloom in the late summer. The flower is native to Japan and is a member of the Asteraceae family, along with other popular cut flowers such as sunflowers, dahlias, and chrysanthemums. The aster seeds are sown into plugs and are started off in the greenhouse. When the small plants have established themselves, they are transplanted out into the field to continue their growth. It takes about 12-14 weeks from planting the plus to flower harvest. Tesco's aster bouquets are priced at £3 for a single coloured bunch or £6 for a bumper mixed coloured bunch.
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Victorian-era floral favourites Asters make comeback at UK supermarket
The blooms were popular in the Victorian era when floriography, the language of flowers, was used as a discreet way to communicate feelings. Etiquette in 19th century England discouraged open displays of emotion. Tesco Flowers expert and technical manager Jamie Simpson said the supermarket started selling asters in 2022 'not only because they look lovely but also because they are such great value for money'. Managing director James Lacey amongst his crop of Asters in bloom at L&D Flowers in Pinchbeck, near Spalding, Lincolnshire. (Joe Giddens/ PA) 'In that first year we sold 215,000 bunches but they became so popular so quickly that last year we sold 500,000,' he said. 'This year we hope to sell nearly double that.' In 19th century England, asters were seen as a symbol of love, patience and wisdom making them a perfect gift for a loved one. They also represented elegance and grace, two qualities that were valued during the Victorian era. Demand for asters rocketed by nearly 350% over the last two sales years at Tesco. (Joe Giddens/ PA) 'Asters are glorious flowers that have only recently come back into vogue with growers but that, in just two years, have made a sensational impact with shoppers,' said Mr Simpson. 'Aster Matsumoto which are also known as Japanese Aster, bear beautiful, large daisy-like flower heads and come in many different colours such as blue, purple, pink, dark pink, red, and white all with a bright yellow centre.' The UK's biggest grower of asters, L&D Flowers based in Pinchbeck near Spalding, Lincolnshire, has grown five million stems for this season to meet demand. James Lacey, managing director at L&D Flowers, said: 'Similar to a lot of fruit grown in the UK this year we have experienced a bumper crop of asters this summer because of all the sunshine and extra hours of daylight. The blooms were popular in the Victorian era when floriography, the language of flowers, was used as a discreet way to communicate feelings. (Joe Giddens/ PA) 'We only started growing asters three years ago as a result of the success we have had with sunflowers but we've really been taken back by just how popular the flower has become in so short a space of time. 'In 2022, to start with, we planted enough asters to create 100,000 bunches which we've been told flew off the shelves. 'This year we've grown enough for 1.2 million bunches which is an increase of 1,100% on our initial planting. 'We grow the asters on the grade one silt soils of south Lincolnshire which are not only very fertile but also retain moisture well which has helped us through all the heatwaves which we have had this summer.' A field of Asters in bloom at L&D Flowers in Pinchbeck, near Spalding, Lincolnshire. (Joe Giddens/ PA) According to Tesco, the reason asters have become so popular is that they are an impactful, British seasonal flower, with vivid colours, a good vase life and are priced at just £3 a bouquet. Asters are fast growing annual flowers that bloom in the late summer. The flower is native to Japan and is a member of the Asteraceae family, along with other popular cut flowers such as sunflowers, dahlias, and chrysanthemums. The aster seeds are sown into plugs and are started off in the greenhouse. An aerial view of a field of asters. (Joe Giddens/ PA) When the small plants have established themselves, they are transplanted out into the field to continue their growth. It takes about 12-14 weeks from planting the plus to flower harvest. Tesco's aster bouquets are priced at £3 for a single coloured bunch or £6 for a bumper mixed coloured bunch.
Western Telegraph
6 days ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Victorian-era floral favourites Asters make comeback at UK supermarket
The blooms were popular in the Victorian era when floriography, the language of flowers, was used as a discreet way to communicate feelings. Etiquette in 19th century England discouraged open displays of emotion. Tesco Flowers expert and technical manager Jamie Simpson said the supermarket started selling asters in 2022 'not only because they look lovely but also because they are such great value for money'. Managing director James Lacey amongst his crop of Asters in bloom at L&D Flowers in Pinchbeck, near Spalding, Lincolnshire. (Joe Giddens/ PA) 'In that first year we sold 215,000 bunches but they became so popular so quickly that last year we sold 500,000,' he said. 'This year we hope to sell nearly double that.' In 19th century England, asters were seen as a symbol of love, patience and wisdom making them a perfect gift for a loved one. They also represented elegance and grace, two qualities that were valued during the Victorian era. Demand for asters rocketed by nearly 350% over the last two sales years at Tesco. (Joe Giddens/ PA) 'Asters are glorious flowers that have only recently come back into vogue with growers but that, in just two years, have made a sensational impact with shoppers,' said Mr Simpson. 'Aster Matsumoto which are also known as Japanese Aster, bear beautiful, large daisy-like flower heads and come in many different colours such as blue, purple, pink, dark pink, red, and white all with a bright yellow centre.' The UK's biggest grower of asters, L&D Flowers based in Pinchbeck near Spalding, Lincolnshire, has grown five million stems for this season to meet demand. James Lacey, managing director at L&D Flowers, said: 'Similar to a lot of fruit grown in the UK this year we have experienced a bumper crop of asters this summer because of all the sunshine and extra hours of daylight. The blooms were popular in the Victorian era when floriography, the language of flowers, was used as a discreet way to communicate feelings. (Joe Giddens/ PA) 'We only started growing asters three years ago as a result of the success we have had with sunflowers but we've really been taken back by just how popular the flower has become in so short a space of time. 'In 2022, to start with, we planted enough asters to create 100,000 bunches which we've been told flew off the shelves. 'This year we've grown enough for 1.2 million bunches which is an increase of 1,100% on our initial planting. 'We grow the asters on the grade one silt soils of south Lincolnshire which are not only very fertile but also retain moisture well which has helped us through all the heatwaves which we have had this summer.' A field of Asters in bloom at L&D Flowers in Pinchbeck, near Spalding, Lincolnshire. (Joe Giddens/ PA) According to Tesco, the reason asters have become so popular is that they are an impactful, British seasonal flower, with vivid colours, a good vase life and are priced at just £3 a bouquet. Asters are fast growing annual flowers that bloom in the late summer. The flower is native to Japan and is a member of the Asteraceae family, along with other popular cut flowers such as sunflowers, dahlias, and chrysanthemums. The aster seeds are sown into plugs and are started off in the greenhouse. An aerial view of a field of asters. (Joe Giddens/ PA) When the small plants have established themselves, they are transplanted out into the field to continue their growth. It takes about 12-14 weeks from planting the plus to flower harvest. Tesco's aster bouquets are priced at £3 for a single coloured bunch or £6 for a bumper mixed coloured bunch.
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Gardening expert says these best pollinating plants will make your garden a sanctuary for bees
Transform your garden into a sanctuary for bees and butterflies this summer as a gardening expert reveals the best pollinating plants to add to your flower beds Spring is in full bloom and making way for the warm summer months to come. Following the iconic Chelsea Flower Show, many of us are planning and preparing our summer gardens, filling our lawns with beautiful bouquets that add vibrant colours to our gardens through the sunnier seasons. And it is of vital importance to consider the pollinators that you can attract with your plants. These creatures are crucial for the survival of ecosystems and food production, so it's important to do all we can to support them. Pollination is vital for plant reproduction, biodiversity, and food production, and creating a productive environment for important insects like bees and butterflies is important for the surrounding wildlife. By planting these flowers in your garden, you will aid the health of ecosystems and human survival, as well as surround yourself with an array of beautiful colours and fragrances. Gardening expert Fiona Jenkins at has listed the very best pollinating plants to add to your garden and make it a sanctuary for bees, butterflies, and more, and we know where you can shop for the top pollinating plants without breaking the bank. Aster Asters are beloved plants, famed for their late-season bursts of colour that they add to any garden. These daisy-like perennials, with their star-shaped flower heads, come in hues ranging from white to blue to purple and look stunning in any mixed flower bed or as a standalone display. They are perfect for creating a charming cottage vibe. Asters bloom until the frost arrives, often hailed as the top flower for drawing in a variety of pollinating insects. Bees are particularly drawn to aster when they're in full bloom, and the flowers serve as an excellent source of nectar during late summer and early autumn, a time when most other plants have finished their yearly bloom. You can shop the long-lasting purple flowers from Gardening Express for £8.95 or take a peek at this Aster dumosus Lady in Blue on Amazon for £14.95. Join our Shopping & Deals WhatsApp for the best bargains and fashion news WHATSAPP: Get the best deals and exclusive discount codes straight to your phone via our WhatsApp group. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Some of these articles will contain affiliate links where we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from them. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Foxgloves Foxglove is a favourite among UK gardeners. It boasts a striking spike of purple-pink blossoms from summer to early autumn and can reach heights of up to 2 metres. These beauties are typically spotted on heathland and woodland fringes, adding a splash of colour to any summer garden. Blooming from late spring to summer, foxgloves can be effortlessly cultivated from seed. Once established, they'll self-seed in the shadier corners of your garden, guaranteeing a constant source of pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators during the early summer months. Check out these Digitalis Pink Panther Foxgloves for £12.99 at Gardening Express, or pick up these Foxglove 'Panther' at Thomas & Morgan for £29.99. Dahlia Dahlia 'Stardust' is a stunning small-flowered decorative variety. Its soft pale pink petals are beautifully bordered with vibrant magenta-pink. Blooming consistently from midsummer to the first frost, 'Stardust' adds a sparkling touch to any planting scheme. Plant in full sun in well-drained, fertile soil, and remove spent flowers to encourage more growth. The dahlia is ideal for creating a stunning garden border and is also popular as cut flowers. Dahlias are a major attraction for bees due to their characteristic flowers, which have a long spike of petals that resemble honeycombs. As bees travel from bloom to bloom, they gather valuable pollen and nectar, making dahlias a significant part of their diet. The Dahlia 'Stardust' retails for £1.97, down from £5.97, at Gardening Express. Or, head over to You Garden where you can find this Dahlia 'Starburst Pink' Plugs for £14.99. Other top pollinating plants that you can add to your garden to elevate its aesthetic while also benefiting the ecosystem include poppies, lavender, crocus, primroses and marigolds.
