Text Agony Aunt Roz with your Cutflower Questions.

In this soulful and inspiring episode, Roz is joined by renowned potter, gardener, and author Frances Palmer. Frances takes us on a journey from her New Jersey childhood to the peaceful, flower-filled studio she now calls home in Connecticut. She shares the origins of her creative practice, her connection to the earth through ceramics and gardening, and the personal stories behind her beloved books, Life in the Studio and Life with Flowers.

This conversation blooms with wisdom on the interplay between floral design and pottery, the beauty of seasonal routines, and the importance of daily creative practice. Frances reflects on the lessons found in both soil and clay—from the joy of experimentation to the humility of failure. They also explore how photography plays a role in capturing her work, how she manages the logistics of a global pottery business, and why sustainability and tradition matter more than ever.

Whether you’re a creative, a gardener, or simply someone who loves beauty, this episode offers a gentle reminder that meaning often comes from the rhythm of the everyday.

Key Takeaways:

• Frances Palmer is a celebrated potter and passionate gardener.
• Her books merge memoir, art, and practical advice on creative living.
• Floral design and ceramic work are deeply intertwined in her process.
• Seasonality shapes both her artistic and gardening practices.
• Shipping handmade pottery internationally comes with challenges.
• Daily routines and early mornings are vital to her creative rhythm.
• Gardening teaches patience, experimentation, and resilience.
• Photography helps her convey feeling and story in her work.
• Traditional techniques and sustainability are core values in her art.
• Nature, legacy, and beauty are at the heart of her creative life.

You can find out more about Frances here

You can pre-order her new book Life with Flowers here

Make the most of your garden by visiting bramblecrest.com and use the code FIELDGATE at checkout. See website for full details.

• https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/newsletters
• A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist
• The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub
• Lots of free resources on our website: https://thecutflowercollective.co.uk/cut-flower-resources/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers
• Facebook Group 'Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business' https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874
• Facebook Group 'The Cut Flower Collection' https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowercollection

Text Agony Aunt Roz with your Cutflower Questions.

In this episode, Roz chats with John and Annabel from Middleton Nurseries - a passionate, family-run business that has been thriving since 1975. Known for their deep love of salvias, John and Annabel share the story of their nursery, from humble beginnings to becoming salvia specialists. The conversation delves into the unique qualities of salvias as cut flowers, the intricate process of breeding new varieties, and the joys and hurdles of running a seasonal, weather-dependent business. They also explore the pride that comes from maintaining a multi-generational business and the importance of community support in the gardening world.

Key Takeaways:

• Middleton Nurseries has been a family-run nursery since 1975.
• Salvias have become popular for their versatility and vibrant blooms.
• Breeding new salvia varieties requires time, experimentation, and dedication.
• Proper growing conditions include good drainage and timely pruning.
• Echinacea is another rising star in the nursery alongside salvias.
• Weather significantly impacts the success of seasonal nursery operations.
• Community engagement and loyal customers are vital for small businesses.
• The family takes immense pride in their horticultural legacy.

🎧 Tune in to discover the magic behind salvias, family traditions, and the beauty of building something that grows through generations.

Find out more about Middleton Nurseries here.

Make the most of your garden by visiting bramblecrest.com and use the code FIELDGATE at checkout. See website for full details.

• https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/newsletters
• A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist
• The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub
• Lots of free resources on our website: https://thecutflowercollective.co.uk/cut-flower-resources/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers
• Facebook Group 'Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business' https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874
• Facebook Group 'The Cut Flower Collection' https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowercollection

Text Agony Aunt Roz with your Cutflower Questions.

In this episode, Roz sits down with award-winning garden designer and author Polly Wilkinson to explore the art and heart behind meaningful garden design. With years of experience and a beautifully honest approach, Polly shares how she transitioned into the world of garden design, how her background in marketing shaped her business, and why flexibility has been key to her career success.

The conversation weaves through Polly’s thoughts on designing gardens that blend beauty with practicality—spaces that work for families, evolve with lifestyles, and invite people to connect with nature. Polly also talks about the relationship between interior and exterior design, her experiences showcasing at the Chelsea Flower Show, and the joy of creating gardens with real purpose—including her upcoming project designing a therapeutic space for spinal injury patients.

If you’re curious about garden design, career pivots, sustainable living, or designing a life that works for you, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and grounded.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

🌿 How Polly transitioned into garden design and built an award-winning career
🌼 The role of marketing in growing a creative business
🌳 Balancing beauty and functionality in family-friendly gardens
🌾 The parallels between interior and garden design
🪴 Insights from exhibiting at the Chelsea Flower Show
🌻 Why sustainability and eco-conscious design matter now more than ever
🧑‍🦽 Designing with empathy: Polly’s project for spinal injury patients
🏡 Childhood dreams, career changes, and lessons in adaptability
📚 Behind the scenes of her book, How to Design Your Garden
🌸 Why women’s voices are vital in the future of horticulture

Make the most of your garden by visiting bramblecrest.com and use the code FIELDGATE at checkout. See website for full details.

Find out more about Polly and her work here: https://studiopollyanna.co.uk/

First Tunnels, leaders in domestic and commercial product tunnels.

• https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/newsletters
• A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist
• The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub
• Lots of free resources on our website: https://thecutflowercollective.co.uk/cut-flower-resources/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers
• Facebook Group 'Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business' https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874
• Facebook Group 'The Cut Flower Collection' https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowercollection