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Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
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 aster. (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.
BBC News
6 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
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.
Associated Press
21-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
AI Hesitation in IP: 80% of Professionals Under Pressure, but Most Still Not Convinced by AI's Transformative Power
MAIDENHEAD, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 21, 2025-- A new research report from RWS reveals that while 80% of IP professionals face mounting pressure to boost revenues and reduce costs, few are leveraging AI's potential to transform their future. According to 79% of respondents in RWS's report ' Why it's time for IP to think bigger with AI,' concerns around accuracy and reliability remain the biggest barrier to adoption. Additionally, 62% cite security and data protection as the second biggest barrier. The report – which involved in-depth interviews with 312 global IP professionals across legal firms and corporates in 33 countries - investigates industry attitudes and expectations around AI and how professionals are embracing AI as part of their strategies. 'The IP sector has adopted a cautious approach to embracing AI,' said James Lacey, SVP at RWS. 'However, a number of IP professionals have identified that, when AI is combined with human expertise, it can reshape how IP teams operate, scale and deliver value.' While only 34% of IP professionals have actively moved into operational or regular use of AI, several use cases have emerged from their adoption. These include using AI for 'filing ready' patent translations, patent drafting, patent database optimization and patent / trademark prosecution. Interestingly almost one in ten (8%) of those questioned describe themselves as having no interest in or plans for AI. And when asked the expected benefits of AI, efficiencies, better automation and productivity were singled out by IP professionals. Read the full report Why it's time for IP to think bigger with AI. About us RWS is a content solutions company, powered by technology and human expertise. We grow the value of ideas, data and content by making sure organizations are understood. Everywhere. Our proprietary technology, 45+ AI patents and human experts help organizations bring ideas to market faster, build deeper relationships across borders and cultures, and enter new markets with confidence – growing their business and connecting them to a world of opportunities. It's why over 80 of the world's top 100 brands trust RWS to drive innovation, inform decisions and shape brand experiences. With 60+ global locations, across five continents, our teams work with businesses across almost all industries. Innovating since 1958, RWS is headquartered in the UK and publicly listed on AIM, the London Stock Exchange regulated market (RWS.L). More information: View source version on CONTACT: RWS Denis Davies Corporate Communications [email protected] +44 1628 410105 KEYWORD: EUROPE IRELAND UNITED KINGDOM INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY FINANCE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOFTWARE MANUFACTURING DATA ANALYTICS DATA MANAGEMENT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOURCE: RWS Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 07/21/2025 04:01 AM/DISC: 07/21/2025 04:01 AM
