Wildflower Magazine Spring 2023

CELEBRATING LIFE IN THE COUNTRY

Spring A NEW SEASON BEGINS

FIELD of DREAMS

DAFFODILS TO DELIGHT

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SPRING 2023 ISSUE 13

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FOOD of LOVE

SKYE MCALPINE’S EASY BAKING RECIPES

FLORAL CRAFTS

INSPIRING PROJECTS TO TRY AT HOME

PAINT PIONEER

EDWARD BULMER’S COLOUR REVOLUTION

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MIX IT UP Traditional botanical art, re-imagined

16

BLAZING A TRAIL Art installations along the North Downs Way

19

THE EVENTS EDIT Plan your spring fun

26

THE THOUGHTFUL POTTER Clay, flowers and positive mantras

32

PAINTING IN YARN Knitting all things bright and beautiful

39

BOOKSHELF New titles to enjoy

66 65

FASHION

41

FEMININE FLORALS Commanding collars

43

JUMP START The joys of jumpsuits

44

SPRING BRIGHTS Dopamine dressing

47

PRETTY IN PINK Dreamy pieces sparkle in the softest shades

INTERIORS

51

TOP: PHOTOGRAPH BY RACHEL WHITING.

CONTENTS

EVENTS

15

66

73

74

GARDENS

CORNISH PIT STOP Visit a unique pineapple pit

93

COVER STORY

94

DAFFODILS FOR DAYS Wildflower celebrates the arrival of spring SPRING BUYS Gardening treats with a floral twist IT ONLY GETS BETTER Rosie Fyles on her role at Chiswick House & Gardens

THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER

FOOD & DRINK

98

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Spring flavours at Coworth Park

117

SKYE HIGH Skye McAlpine on cooking with love

118

WINE CLUB Four female UK wine experts share their insight

100

GOURMET GETAWAY Wildflower visits The Tawny

ESCAPE

103

81

52

PAINT PIONEER Edward Bulmer’s sustainable vision

82

NATURAL BEAUTY Spring crafting

RE-ENERGISED

BY SPRING Seize the season

87

TOP 10 SPRING GARDEN EVENTS Explore outdoors

113

59

ATOLL UPDATE News from across the islands

88 ECO PAINTS Experts reveal the best sustainable brands for your home

TULIP FEVER Five RHS gardens pay tribute to the much-loved flower

114

60

VIVE LA VILLA Luxury living in St Tropez

Luscious lawns

104

PARADISE FOUND Zoë Levey visits idyllic resorts in the Maldives

44

A NEW SEASON BEGINS

FIELD of DREAMS

DAFFODILS TO DELIGHT

73

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TOP HEALTH AND WELLNESS TRENDS How to feel fabulous this year

122

MOTHER NATURE Beauty treats

125

IN THE CLUB Daylesford’s private wellness club

126

THINGS TO COME Looking ahead to the Summer issue

41

81

122

CELEBRATING LIFE IN THE COUNTRY

Spring

REFRESH YOUR SENSES Reset with a luxury clarifying candle

2023

PRIVATE HIDEAWAY The ultimate overwater villa

MATERIAL GIRL Haute couture headboards

WELLNESS

SPRING 2023 ISSUE 13

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FOOD of LOVE

SKYE MCALPINE’S EASY BAKING RECIPES

FLORAL CRAFTS

INSPIRING PROJECTS TO TRY AT HOME

PAINT PIONEER

EDWARD BULMER’S COLOUR REVOLUTION

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editor’s letter

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T

here’s no better fresh start than the arrival of spring. The countryside bursts into life, the earth warms up in the sunshine and buds shyly appear on the trees, the blossom waiting for its moment. The birds start to sing - telling us to get out of bed! If, like me, you’re an early riser, you’ll know what a pleasure it is to go out first thing in the morning to listen to the birdsong, spot little green shoots bursting through the ground and breathe in the sweet spring air. There’s definitely an extra spring in my step. It’s time to get outside.

In this issue of Wildflower, we have plenty of outdoor ideas to inspire you. One of the greatest joys of spring is walking through fields of cheerful flowers as colour comes back to the landscape, or visiting a lovely garden as it bounces back to life. On page 66, Marie Nichols brings us her vision of acres of golden daffodils and, on page 88, discover the best places to indulge in tulip-gazing at five RHS gardens. Give seasonal projects a go, such as Easter wreath-making from florist Anna Potter (p.82) or try your hand at creative knitting with guidance from the extraordinary Dee Hardwicke (p.32).

Art provides a focus for many of our suggestions for stepping out this spring. Kathryn Conway writes about the incredible new artworks which have become part of the landscape on the stunning North Downs Trail (p.16). And our Events Edit has some great suggestions of exhibitions, shows and workshops (if you’re feeling hands-on) to put in your diary. It’s exactly what you need to get out and about, so cast off the woollies and let’s go!

We hope you enjoy the issue.

Zoë Levey Zoë Levey, Editor

@wildflowermagazine

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RACHEL WHITING

MARIE NICHOLS

ROSIE FYLES

Rachel has been working as a photographer for more than 15 years. Rachel works predominantly in the lifestyle and interiors area, shooting for magazines including Country Living and House & Garden. Book commissions have included Botanical Style and Garden Style, published by Ryland Peters & Small, alongside a selection of commercial clients. Rachel lives in London with her family and shoots in the capital, across the UK and internationally for her commissions. In this issue, Rachel photographed our daffodil cover story (p.66). rachelwhiting.co.uk

Marie Nichols is a freelance interior stylist.

During her 20-year career she has worked for numerous magazines including Country Living, Country Homes & Interiors and You Magazine, as well as overseas titles such as Australian Country Style and Australian House & Garden. Marie has also been fortunate enough to work alongside some of the UK’s most loved brands, styling seasonal lookbooks, art directing brochures, and creating striking imagery for advertising campaigns. A true country girl at heart, Marie lives in a village in Kent, with her husband, two young sons and a grumpy miniature dachshund named Dudley. Marie styled our daffodil cover story for this issue (p.66). marienichols.co.uk

Before becoming head gardener at Chiswick House & Gardens, Rosie spent six years as head gardener at Ham House and Garden, near Richmond. Rosie is a National Trust garden champion, providing guidance to other head gardeners, as well as a trustee of Silent Space, a charity that promotes peaceful time in green spaces. Rosie has previously written for the Sunday Times, Gardens Illustrated and Period Living. In this issue of Wildflower, Rosie writes about her time spent in the garden at Chiswick House during spring (p.74). @headgardener_rosie_fyles

Photographer

10 | SPRING 2023 | WILDFLOWER

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Contributing Editors Nicola Clements Garden News Kathryn Conway Events & Living Rosie Fyles Gardens Kerryn Harper-Cuss Interiors Emma Morton-Turner Interiors Gabrielle Nathan Features Marie Nichols Cover Story Contributing Photographer Rachel Whiting Advertising & Partnerships Steve Ross steve.ross@bluestar-media.co.uk Laura Webb laura.webb@bluestar-media.co.uk

CELEBRATING LIFE IN THE COUNTRY

Spring A NEW SEASON BEGINS

FIELD of DREAMS

DAFFODILS TO DELIGHT

15%

OFF AT

CREATE ACADEMY SEE INSIDE FOR DETAILS

SPRING 2023 ISSUE 13

£6

FOOD of LOVE

SKYE MCALPINE’S EASY BAKING RECIPES

FLORAL CRAFTS

Marketing Director & Wine Club Curator Bronwen Batey For all other enquiries, please contact us: hello@wildflowerpress.co.uk

INSPIRING PROJECTS TO TRY AT HOME

PAINT PIONEER

EDWARD BULMER’S COLOUR REVOLUTION

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Front Cover: Photograph by Rachel Whiting Styled by Marie Nichols

Wildflower Magazine is published by Wildflower Press Ltd. All rights reserved.

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NATURAL SELECTION, TRADITIONAL BOTANICALS RE-IMAGINED BY JANE HAMMOND.

ART TRAIL | CORONATION CELEBRATIONS | CHILD’S PLAY

MIX IT UP In keeping with our eclectic range of must-see exhibitions and events taking place this season, this striking tableux from collagist Jane Hammond - which forms part of her display at Thyme, Gloucestershire - is an original work drawn from a myriad of different places and sources.

Read on to discover more.

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 15

Blazing a

trail

Explore the North Downs Way Art Trail this spring and deepen your connection to this green and pleasant land

THIS PAGE: COCCOLITH BY TRISH EVANS AND NICK HUMPHREYS, FOUNDERS OF INSTAR

CREATING A SENSE OF PLACE Feel Our Voice by Kezia Cole was the first of the three to launch. Crafted from old apple crates (a clever nod to the orchards of the farm in Old Wives Lees where the piece is located), it features a bench modelled on the contours of sound waves and sits on the crest of a hill.

“This spot was chosen because the vantage point lets you cast an eye over the landscape, looking out over oast houses, soft fruit vines, orchards and arable farmland.

It includes everything quintessential about the countryside and is a picture-postcard snapshot of rural Kent life,” says Peter.

An equally significant site is that chosen for Coppice Oratory, a striking work masterminded by Dutch architect Matthijs La Roi and found in the ancient King’s Wood in Challock. Peter explains that the work responds to a little gap in the trees where people travelling between Winchester and Canterbury pause and drink in their first glimpse of Canterbury Cathedral. The Oratory offers the perfect space in which to reflect.

OPTOHEDRON BY WILL NASH © JOHN MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY. MONUMENTA ROMANA

With the arrival of a series of innovative art installations, the North Downs Way Art Trail has provided visitors with an opportunity to reflect on their surroundings. As trail manager Peter Morris explains, the decision to commission new artworks “was about opening up viewpoints and providing somewhere to rest or shelter to appreciate them, so there’s a practical element to the installations. And, obviously, we wanted to add something beautiful to the landscape that made people think and consider where they were and ask what had inspired the piece in front of them and what it represented.”

As such, each installation has a keen sense of place, demonstrated in both the choice of materials used and the effort each artist has gone to in ensuring a connection with the landscape in their design. It’s a fact made plain in the three works added to the trail this spring, which are all located at sites along the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route connecting Canterbury to Rome.

COCCOLITH BY INSTAR © JOHN MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY

W

inding 153 miles through the soul-stirring beauty of the Surrey Hills before rewarding wanderers with a view of the White Cliffs of Dover, the North Downs Way is peppered with places of note. Grand estates and imposing castles, Neolithic tombs and Norman churches, award-winning vineyards and classic country pubs are all pit stops on a trail that delivers one visual treat after another.

The landscape too is one of contrasts, weaving effortlessly between dense woodland carpeted with wildflowers one moment and undulating hills with impressive vistas the next. In fact, with so much already in its favour, it begs the question: can you really improve on Mother Nature? The answer it seems, is yes.

EVENTS

For those who reach the end of the Via Francigena Kent leg, the final installation marks an opportunity to celebrate the moment for posterity. Titled We Are All Winners, Alma Tischlerwood has crafted a beautiful black granite podium with the White Cliffs of Dover and Dover Castle as its backdrop. “It’s incredibly Instagrammable,” says Peter. “We want people to take pictures and record their journey along the North Downs Way on the Via Francigena.

But we also want this to be seen as a gateway for those travelling along the path to Europe.”

OPTOHEDRON BY WILL NASH © JOHN MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY. MONUMENTA ROMANA COURTESY OF CHARLES HOLLAND ARCHITECTS © MALGOSIA LONSDALE

COCCOLITH BY INSTAR © JOHN MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY

LEAVING A LEGACY Alongside the new additions, the trail includes works that have had the opportunity to bed into the environment, allowing nature to add its own touch to the pieces in its care. For Charles Holland, the architect/designer behind a work that celebrates the Via Francigena’s connections with Rome, it’s the interplay between the natural and the man-made that fascinates him the most.

“I’m very drawn to and inspired by landscape,” says Charles. “And where my work is positioned in the North Downs is an amazingly rich bit of landscape. There’s evidence of the coal mining past in the industrial buildings, and there are remnants of the East Kent Railway too. I’m interested by those layers of natural and man-made history, and I think something like the North Downs Trail feels like a base in which art can have a positive role in bringing out some of those stories and making people aware of those connections,” he adds.

Highlighting connections to the past is very much in evidence with Monumenta Romana, Charles’s design. Set in the Waldershare Park estate, the structure’s distinctive shape cleverly references the derelict Belvedere in the grounds, and is a recreation of its missing cupola and the architectural ideals that were introduced by those returning from their Grand Tour at the time of the folly’s construction.

“My interpretation of the brief was this idea of a cultural pilgrimage, highlighting the cultural exchanges between England and Italy and referencing the route of the Via Francigena between Canterbury and Rome,” reveals Charles.

“It’s also a play on the idea of a ruin and about new life for old things; it’s made from lots of different bits of wood salvaged from different places. There are even some old Worcestershire sauce barrels in the mix,” adds Charles. “I’m really pleased with how it all came together.”

A SPACE FOR CONTEMPLATION Wood is also a feature of the first work to be commissioned on the trail – Optohedron by Will Nash.

Perched atop St Martha’s Hill in the Surrey Hills, this stylish curving structure is made from weathering steel and is filled with locally sourced hazel logs in a bid to create a natural habitat for the area’s wildlife.

The logs also conceal the central components of this sculptural work – three kaleidoscopes, each orientated to provide a different viewpoint on the bucolic scene the work looks out on. “It is a playful piece; it’s designed to be fun,” says Will. “The idea of putting sculptures out in more remote places in the wilderness, it does have this effect of attracting people to a place that they wouldn’t have necessarily gone, and perhaps linger for a while.”

Weary walkers may find it hard to drag themselves away from the welcome respite provided by Coccolith, the immersive work by Trish Evans and Nick Humphreys, founders of INSTAR. Partially set into the landscape and crafted from local ironstone rock, the work is inspired by the oceanic planktonic life that 65 million years ago, was central to the foundation of the chalk Surrey Hills and North Downs Way. These coccolithophores are cleverly referenced in the circular shape of the piece and the engravings on the cantilevered seats, shaped to suggest a stile in a link back to rambling through the countryside.

“Our practice is all about creating deeper connections; we want to have a bit more of an emotional response to things. For this particular piece, we want to immerse and protect those who take a seat, for them to feel that they could be hugged by it. We also wanted to convey that this is a living piece and that there is a deeper message running through it,” says Trish. These messages are subtly deployed, with Nick pointing out that plankton comes from the Greek word planktos, meaning ‘drifter’ in a lovely nod to the idea of meandering along a pathway. While Trish highlights that the use of stone hints at the idea of boundaries, paths and routes, providing a link to pilgrimage.

As a multi-layered, multispecies work – it is planted with wildflowers just waiting to burst forth – this sensory experience demonstrates the call that art can have to appreciate the natural world anew.

FROM TOP: OPTOHEDRON BY WILL NASH AND ITS KALEIDOSCOPES

for more information, please visit

nationaltrail.co.uk kentdowns.org.uk surreyhills.org charleshollandarchitects.co.uk matthijslaroi.com we-are-instar.co.uk willnash.co.uk MONUMENTA ROMANA

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 17

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events

THE EVENTS EDIT Landmark events might dominate the season, but intimate creative experiences await those prepared to scratch beneath the surface

LILIDOREI, THE ALNWICK GARDEN, ALNWICK, NORTHUMBERLAND SPRING 2023 Imagine a whimsical world designed by elves, fairies, goblins and pixies, where a touch of Christmas magic pervades year-round, and a gigantic play structure with towers as high as an eight-storey building is filled with tube and spiral slides. This is the promise of Lilidorei, conceived by the Duchess of Northumberland as the ultimate fantastical playground and the perfect distraction for children permanently glued to their screens. Creative, imaginative play at its best. alnwickgarden.com

CORONATION UK © ELENA DYRDA/DREAMSTIME.COM *ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

THE CORONATION OF HM KING CHARLES III, LONDON & WINDSOR 6-8 MAY In what promises to be the event of the year, the historic occasion of the coronation of King Charles III will see the nation pause for a threeday spectacle of ceremony and celebration.

Westminster Abbey, England’s coronation church since 1066, and Buckingham Palace become the focus for proceedings on Saturday 6 May, when pomp, pageantry and processions (plus the obligatory appearance on the palace balcony) will bookend the coronation ceremony. On Sunday 7 May, in echoes of the music and feasting enjoyed during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, The Big Lunch returns ahead of a televised Coronation Concert in the shadow of Windsor Castle. A star-studded programme, this is being touted as a more orchestral affair for a classical music-loving King. With the Sunday night concluding with a spectacular lighting up of major landmarks around the UK and Monday dedicated to shining a light on volunteer projects in The Big Help Out, there are plenty of ways to mark this historic moment. coronationbiglunch.com; thebighelpout.org.uk

COLOUR FIELD, LONG & RYLE, LONDON TO 5 APRIL Drawing inspiration from artists such as de Staël, Keith Vaughan and Patrick Heron, this second solo exhibition from painter Kate Corbett-Winder highlights a bolder, more abstract approach to her creative process. As a passionate gardener with an eye for capturing a sense of place, Kate draws outside using charcoal, pencil and pastel before turning to oil paint back in the studio, sometimes adding a textural collage element to a composition if the process demands. In Colour Field, see how Kate captures the rhythm of the landscape, whether through a bird’s eye view of a pattern of fields or the swirling eddies when walking against the wind. longandryle.com; katecorbettwinder.com WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 19

TO 8 MAY Step into a multisensory experience as five Black female musicians – Poppy Ajudha, Jacqui Dankworth, Sofia Jernberg, Tanita Tikaram and composer Errollyn Wallen – feel their way through an improvised recording session that sees their melodious and dissonant voices at play. Set against a backdrop of tessellating wallpapers formed from stills taken at the session and golden geometric structures whose pyrite-like shape provide a seat on which to pause and reflect, this cacophony of creative expression won its creator, Sonia Boyce, the Golden Lion at last year’s Venice Biennale. turnercontemporary.org

DAVID HOCKNEY: BIGGER & CLOSER (NOT SMALLER & FURTHER AWAY), LIGHTROOM, LONDON TO 4 JUNE How would it feel to be immersed in the vibrant hues of David Hockney’s interpretation of the Grand Canyon? Or watch as one of the country’s greatest living artists captures his house and gardens in Normandy on his iPad, almost as is if it’s being created in real-time? The capital’s latest immersive art space provides the answers, with a four-storey audio-visual survey of Hockney’s creative process.

Narrated by the man himself and with a custom score by American composer Nico Muhly, this is an opportunity to see the world through Hockney’s eyes. lightroom.uk

CHATSWORTH: MIRROR MIRROR: FERNANDO LAPOSSE,

SONIA BOYCE: FEELING HER WAY, TURNER CONTEMPORARY, MARGATE, KENT

TO 11 APRIL Passionate about homegrown textiles, Fibreshed is a movement in which clothes made within a designated geographic area (a Fibreshed) utilise local fibres, dyes and labour. This exhibition introduces the work of selected producers from the South West England Fibreshed – from farmers to mills, dyers to makers – to answer this one simple question: Who grew your clothes? Talks and workshops complement the showcase, with knitwear designer Ria Burns (pictured) discussing her regenerative approach to knitwear design (30 March) and artist Emma Roach demonstrating the art of paper weaving (1 April). newbreweryarts.org.uk

ARTWORK - DAVID HOCKNEY: BIGGER & CLOSER (NOT SMALLER & FURTHER AWAY) © DAVID HOCKNEY. *ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

TO 31 APRIL With her disruptive approach to botanical prints, collagist Jane Hammond gathers imagery from an eclectic array of sources – old calendars, cards, wrapping paper and cloth – to create her imagined tableaux. The three-dimensional quality of her carefully arranged flowers and grasses in striking vases combine myriad techniques, inviting closer inspection. As such, the complexity of the manmade and natural worlds is appreciated anew. thyme.co.uk/exhibitions

PHOTO COURTESY OF WARNER BROS. PICTURES

FIBRESHED: WHO GREW YOUR CLOTHES? NEW BREWERY ARTS, CIRENCESTER

NATURAL SELECTION, TRADITIONAL BOTANICALS REIMAGINED, THYME, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

PHOTO COURTESY OF WARNER BROS. PICTURES

SOUTH GARDENS OPENING, BURGHLEY HOUSE, LINCOLNSHIRE 19-31 MARCH Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown famously spent 25 years at Burghley completing his Arcadian vision, and it is believed to be the work of which he was most proud.

But while the sweeping vistas are a draw, the more formal private South Gardens are only open for a few weeks each year.

Use this window of opportunity to dive into the springtime colour and drink in the views of the Serpentine Lake and Lion Bridge, before hunting out the fountains, topiary and impressive mature oak planted

by Queen Victoria during her visit in 1844. burghley.co.uk/events

WOODBLOCK PRINTING WORKSHOP BY HARE’S TAIL, HOLE & CORNER, BRUTON, SOMERSET

MIRROR MIRROR: REFLECTIONS ON DESIGN AT CHATSWORTH, CHATSWORTH HOUSE, DERBYSHIRE

10-11 MARCH Keen to learn the art of block printing?

Italian-born Shropshire-based artisan Speronella Marsh is sharing the techniques she uses to give vintage linens a new lease of life as stylish printed fabrics in two intimate woodblock printing workshops.

Hosted by Hole & Corner at its shop in Bruton, students will learn the art of block printing on paper before progressing to create four decorative linen placemats that will spruce up any dining table. harestail.co.uk/events

FROM 18 MARCH The 500-year-old legacy of design at one of the UK’s best-loved estates is thrust into the spotlight this spring, with the work of 16 contemporary artists and designers on display throughout Chatsworth House and its gardens.

Each piece, conceived by names such as Ndidi Ekubia and Faye Toogood, forges a connection with the estate, be it the architecture, interiors, furniture or ceramics, to allow for new perspectives on both the work and its host to surface. chatsworth.org

CHATSWORTH: MIRROR MIRROR: FERNANDO LAPOSSE, AGAVE CABINET, 2021, COURTESY OF FRIEDMAN BENDA AND FERNANDO LAPOSSE.

*ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

events

SPRING PAINTING WEEKEND WITH NICOLA WATTERS, THE RETREAT AT ELCOT PARK HOTEL, NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE 24-26 MARCH Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the season in the company of artist Nicola Watters. Become immersed in the wonderful world of watercolour during this weekend experience and discover how Nicola translates the beauty of the botany found on her doorstep onto paper. Then learn to lay down delicate washes of colour in the creation of your own floral masterpiece, all while enjoying the hospitality of a hotel named by The Times as the UK’s best. retreatelcotpark.com; nicolawatters.com/workshops WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 21

events

A LITTLE LIFE, HAROLD PINTER THEATRE, LONDON

EASTER EGG HUNT, CANOE WILD, CANTERBURY 7-10 APRIL Looking for an Easter egg trail with a difference? The Easter Bunny has duly obliged with the creation of an Easter egg hunt along the picturesque River Stour. Grab a spotter sheet and jump in a canoe, kayak or paddleboard to paddle down the river and hunt out the colourful eggs dangling from trees on the riverbank. Perfect for all ages, efforts will be rewarded with a chocolate treat. Atmospheric sunrise and sunset paddles are also available on various dates in March and April too. canoewild.co.uk

TITANOSAUR: LIFE AS THE BIGGEST DINOSAUR, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON FROM 31 MARCH The 9-metre-high Waterhouse Gallery at the Natural History Museum is no stranger to gigantic specimens. But at four times heavier than the much-loved Dippy the Diplodocus and 12 metres longer than Hope, the blue whale, the European debut of the most complete giant dinosaur ever discovered is set to blow viewers away. Expect to delve into the life of the titanosaur, handling specimens along the way, and come away with an understanding of how the giants that call this planet home can be protected. nhm.ac.uk

CORONATION CELEBRATION! ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY 150TH ANNIVERSARY GALA, ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON 7 MAY To conclude its 150th-anniversary celebrations in style, this distinguished choir returns to the venue in which it was inaugurated with a coronation celebration to remember. Having performed under the baton of composers such as Dvořák, Elgar and Verdi, the music of these greats will feature alongside choral gems in a concert fit for a newly crowned king.

There’s also an opportunity to sing along as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hall’s 900-pipe organ unleash Parry’s coronation anthem, ‘I Was Glad’. royalchoralsociety.co.uk

THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE, CINEMAS NATIONWIDE FROM 7 APRIL Nintendo’s perennially popular platform game has been given the Hollywood gloss as a new animated feature film. Starring Chris Pratt as the voice of Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi and Jack Black as Mario’s nemesis Bowser, the film follows Mario as he teams up with Princess Peach on a quest to try to rescue his brother Luigi from the evil Bowser and derail his mission to rule the world. It’s time to power-up and take to the Rainbow Road! universalpictures.co.uk 22 | SPRING 2023 | WILDFLOWER

A LITTLE LIFE IMAGE BY CHARLIE GRAY. SUPER MARIO BROS. THE MOVIE © UNIVERSAL PICTURES. *ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

FROM 25 MARCH - 18 JUNE Fresh from his turn as psychopathic Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley, James Norton is challenged with bringing the central character of Hanya Yanagihara’s emotionally charged novel to life. What starts as a story charting the interwoven lives of four college friends – Jude (James Norton), Willem (Luke Thompson), JB (Omari Douglas), and Malcolm (Zach Wyatt) in New York – quickly zeroes in on Jude and becomes increasingly unsettling as his abuse, pain and suffering are exposed. Directed by Ivo van Hove, this epic production is bound to leave an indelible mark on the soul. atgtickets.com

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don’t cut corners when it comes to estate planning. The wills, trusts and probate team at B P Collins are experts at planning ahead

With mounting financial pressures, if you’re thinking about making a will, it may be tempting to choose a DIY or online one, which may cost less than £20 and only take 30 minutes to complete. But if this sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Decisions about the future of your estate are important and protecting your loved ones from unnecessary pressure after you’ve gone is paramount, so you need to get it right. B P Collins’ wills, trust and probate partner, Lucy Wood, explains why.

• Mistakes can often be made with DIY wills. For example, failing to get it witnessed correctly by two independent adults at the same time – neither of whom can be a beneficiary - and a failure to sign the document correctly, are common errors which could make the document invalid. Other mistakes include misspelled names, illegible writing or not wording things properly.

• If there are any additional complications in your life, a DIY will may not be able to accommodate this. This is particularly the case if you are not married to your partner, if you and your partner have children from previous relationships, if you are looking to share properties between multiple beneficiaries, if you own a business, or have assets overseas.

• Problems can also arise if your circumstances change – for example if you wish to redistribute your assets or get married - as many DIY wills cannot accommodate this and some handwritten notes on the original will to highlight your new decisions will not suffice.

• There is a minefield of legislation, case law and tax implications that you need to be aware of, not to mention the practical considerations which go side by side with estate planning. A wills, trust and probate lawyer can ensure all obligations are met and confirm you have thought of everything, so that the will is comprehensive and watertight.

Lucy Wood

• If mistakes are made in your will, a dispute over your estate could follow after you’ve passed away, which can be time consuming, expensive and stressful for everyone involved.

B P Collins has a highly experienced team of wills, trusts and probate lawyers, that can help you write or review your will and provide bespoke advice on any next steps that need to be undertaken.

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For further advice, call 01753 889995, email enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk or visit bpcollins.co.uk

events RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW, ROYAL HOSPITAL CHELSEA, LONDON 23-27 MAY In a bid to make the most important event in the gardening calendar more equitable and accessible, a children’s picnic is being staged at Chelsea for the first time. Allowing green-fingered enthusiasm to take root, 10 schools will invite 10 of their pupils to experience the wonder of this annual extravaganza. Elsewhere, the show gardens continue to inspire with inclusive spaces emerging as a key theme. Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg are the masterminds behind a wheelchair-accessible garden for patients recovering from a spinal injury, while Joe and Laura Carey express how creativity can be a powerful tool for those suffering trauma with a textural planted garden featuring 250 porcelain butterflies. rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show

IMAGE COURTESY OF RHS/SARAH VIVIENNE. SHAKESPEARE © LOSTAFICHUK/DREAMSTIME.COM * ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

400TH ANNIVERSARY OF SHAKESPEARE’S FIRST FOLIO VARIOUS DATES Imagine a world without Macbeth or The Tempest? It seems impossible, yet these much-loved masterpieces simply wouldn’t exist without First Folio – the first published collection of the Bard’s plays. This culturally significant tome, of which only 235 copies are believed to survive today, turns 400 this year, an anniversary being celebrated in myriad ways throughout 2023.

On 4 March, the Bodleian’s Weston Library in Oxford hosts hands-on activities, discussion and pop-up performance during its First Folio Day: the Bard at the Bod event. While in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is reopening its permanent exhibition The Play’s The Thing on 22 April, enabling visitors to view the Company’s copy of the First Folio once more.

On stage, meanwhile, the opening of Cymbeline (20 April) not only marks Gregory Doran’s 50th production to be directed at the RSC, it also concludes the Artistic Director Emeritus’ ambitious feat of working on every play in the First Folio.

Finally, although not pegged as an anniversary event, it would be churlish not to mention the return of Shakespeare in the Abbey (29-31 March), where promenade performances of extracts from Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets create fascinating encounters between actors and audience members as they wander through the vaulted glory of Westminster Abbey. visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk; rsc.org.uk; shakespearesglobe.com WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 25

How one artisan potter is delivering comfort and joy by harnessing the power of words that uplift and inspire

ul

f t h g Th e th o u p ot t er

T

here are few things more satisfying in life than a cup of tea. We reach for it over chats with friends, in times of reflection, or to mark a break in a busy day. But for one woman, the moment a treasured mug is lifted out of the cupboard carries an opportunity to pause for thought – a moment that can be employed for good. Inspired by her own breast cancer and mental health journey, Deborah Sparks, a.k.a. The Thoughtful Potter, handcrafts decorative vessels – mugs, jugs, bowls, trinket dishes, vases and planters – embellished with words and messages designed to brighten and enliven the day.

“During the pandemic, I took part in a throw for the NHS, and I just remember feeling compelled to add a few thoughtful words such as ‘hero’, ‘hug’ and ‘you can’ inside the pots and mugs,” says Deborah. “I really believe in the power of words. As a teenager I read a lot, particularly poetry, and words and nature have always been my go-to. Whenever my anxiety kicks in, I fall back on them.” The positive mantras now take pride of place on Deborah’s ceramic wares, with ‘shine bright’, ‘keep going’ or ‘me time’ particularly poignant given their creator’s backstory.

In 2008, Deborah was diagnosed with breast cancer and confesses to having a sense of borrowed time as a result. “I’ll gravitate towards words that I’m feeling in the moment. I’ve been using ‘me time’ recently because I feel like I need to carve out time for me and give myself time to do the things I love.

This can often be the little things, like sitting down with a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits and actually waiting until the mug is empty. I think a lot of women can identify with feeling like they’re constantly staring at a half-empty cup of tea that has gone cold!” laughs Deborah.

“I also have a message that says ‘enjoy today’, and this is huge for me. I think once you go through breast cancer, you become aware of the passage of time and you start to have a new appreciation for the here and now,” she adds. Given the dozens of messages customers send saying how much the words resonated with them or touched the heart of the recipient, it seems that The Thoughtful Potter’s positive affirmations are hitting the mark. However, they are not the only decorative feature that ensures this artisan stands out from the crowd.

living “I FIND THAT BECAUSE OF THE INDENTATION LEFT BY THE FLOWERS, MY POTS ARE VERY TACTILE. I LOVE TO HOLD A MUG AND SMOOTH MY THUMB OVER IT – I FIND IT INCREDIBLY SOOTHING AND CALMING”

Pressing ahead

As a child, Deborah was fascinated by flora and fauna. She would linger on her walks to school, arriving late having walked the long way through the fields and been distracted by the beautiful blossom adorning the trees. With the idyllic Somerset landscape on the doorstep, it’s difficult to imagine anyone not wanting to swap the classroom for the great outdoors. “When I was growing up, I would pore over William Keble Martin’s The Concise British Flora, looking up the flowers I saw on my walks; botanical books were one of my first loves,” Deborah reveals. “I adore being in nature, and I feel so lucky to be able to just walk out of my gate and straight into the countryside. Occasionally I’ll see what my husband would classify as a dried-up stem but to me represents fragile beauty. I guess I love taking in the change of the seasons and what’s going on around me.”

Noticing the minutiae proves useful for creating what has become another signature of The Thoughtful Potter’s work: seasonal flowers pressed into the clay. Deborah remembers feeling so excited when she discovered how beautiful flowers pressed into clay could look, and as a watercolour artist – one of the many strings to her creative bow – she is perfectly placed to paint the indentations to draw attention to the veins of the leaves or the pops of colour of the petals. There is also the added bonus that her work takes on a textural quality. “I find that because of the indentation left by the flowers, my pots are very tactile. I love to hold a mug and smooth my thumb over it – I find it incredibly soothing and calming,” she says.

“I love taking in the change of the seasons and what’s going on around me”

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 27

Nicola Watters

Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of watercolour with botanical artist Nicola Watters Join Nicola for a Spring Painting Weekend at the Retreat at Elcot Park, Newbury, Berkshire 24th – 26th March 2023 To book your place, email info@nicolawatters.co.uk or visit nicolawatters.com Instagram @Nicolawatters.design

The wheel of magic

With an acre of land to enjoy, Deborah grows the flowers she uses from seed in her garden. Heading out with her basket, she’ll pick whatever is in season, from bluebells to periwinkles and primroses in spring, with hydrangeas and lavender a constant feature as they’re hung to dry in her studio.

“Hydrangeas work really well, but I've got to handle them in a certain way,” the potter reveals. “I can't just take a hydrangea and press this into the clay.

I've got to dismantle it, using individual petals and finding the most natural way to represent the flower in the clay.”

It’s a technique Deborah would love to share with those who swing by to enjoy the pottery workshops she holds in her charming log cabin studio (resplendent with reclaimed fixtures and fittings and a gilded window that reads Artisan Pottery Studio). The workshops are currently focused on wheel throwing, but Deborah is keen to expand the repertoire as each workshop offers a magical moment for its participants.

According to Deborah, whatever mood is felt will show in the clay. So those who arrive at the wheel tense or under pressure often try and force the clay and knock it off balance as a result. It’s far better to allow the brain to switch off and relax into the meditative process of making.

“When people arrive, I can see the stress on their faces. But once I’ve done my demonstration and aprons are on, I would say that, without exception, about halfway through the workshop, a quiet sense of calm descends over the studio,” Deborah reveals. “I only teach three people at any one time, so it's very intimate. I love watching students in that moment, and it can be quite emotional when they say, ‘wow, I feel so relaxed now’ – I can see it on their face. Honestly, I think pottery should be on the National Health.”

“HYDRANGEAS WORK REALLY WELL, BUT I'VE GOT TO HANDLE THEM IN A CERTAIN WAY,” THE POTTER REVEALS. “I CAN'T JUST TAKE A HYDRANGEA AND PRESS THIS INTO THE CLAY. I'VE GOT TO DISMANTLE IT, USING INDIVIDUAL PETALS AND FINDING THE MOST NATURAL WAY TO REPRESENT THE FLOWER IN THE CLAY.”

living

“Honestly, I think pottery should be on the National Health”

Details of upcoming workshops can be found at thethoughtfulpotter.co.uk or @thethoughtfulpotter on Facebook and Instagram.

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 29

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PLEASE NOTE: BY LAW, WE ARE NOT PERMITTED TO SELL A KNIFE OR BLADE TO ANY PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18. BY PLACING AN ORDER FOR ONE OF THESE ITEMS YOU ARE DECLARING THAT YOU ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OVER. THESE ITEMS MUST BE USED RESPONSIBLY AND APPROPRIATELY.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEE HARDWICKE AND LAINE PUBLISHING.

Painting IN YARN

Discover purls of joy for your wardrobe and home with hand-knitted projects imbued with stories

living

I

OF ALL THE MEDIUMS YOU WORK IN, WHAT IS IT ABOUT KNITTING THAT EXCITES YOU?

“Knitting brings all my passions together, from art and making, to friendships, my love of landscape and flowers in all forms and colours. I've always been inspired by the Arts and Crafts ethos of pieces that are beautiful and useful, and I love the fact that something like a knitted sweater or a wrap can actually be worn or used as well as being admired almost as a work of art. I also really enjoy the meditative process of getting into a rhythm with knitting and seeing something gorgeous begin to emerge from between my needles.”

"I NEVER QUITE KNOW WHERE INSPIRATION MIGHT LEAD ME AND HOW A DESIGN MIGHT DEVELOP!"

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEE HARDWICKE AND LAINE PUBLISHING.

t’s perhaps fitting that one of the first pages in Dee Hardwicke’s exquisite new book, The Knitted Fabric, features a butterfly rendered in delicate washes of colour that evoke the landscape on Dee’s doorstep. Because it is the painterly beauty of the natural world, whether it’s the bewitching drama of the Brecon Beacons that form the backdrop of her Monmouthshire home or the ethereal iridescence of a butterfly, that inspires this artistic polymath. And while a passion for yarn is the focus for Dee’s latest tome, the watercolours, sketches and colour swatches that feature alongside the irresistible colourwork patterns seem to knit together a narrative of creative expression. Wildflower sat down with the talented designer-maker to delve into her colourful world.

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 33

How would you describe your relationship with colour?

“I've always thought that colour has the ability to bring so much joy to everyday life. Colour is all around us, particularly when we take time to really look, and I find that so inspiring and uplifting.

For example, when I'm teaching my Botanical Art Class for Knitters (something I’ve done at venues including Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew), I'll encourage participants to try to notice the colours in a leaf or the sky or even in the salad they're having for lunch! We all have such personal relationships with colour, and I think it's really important to surround yourself with the colours that resonate with you and make you happy (that’s one of the reasons why I love filling my studio with flowers). While I've created palettes for the designs in The Knitted Fabric, they're not in any way prescriptive, so readers are completely free to develop their own colourways.”

What is it about the natural landscape that fascinates you?

“I'm fascinated by the way the landscape can look so different from season to season and even from moment to moment. I live in the Welsh countryside, so the weather plays a significant role in how the mountains, rivers and woodlands look. As an artist, I find this hugely inspiring. For example, in winter, I might admire the stark, architectural forms of bare trees against the charcoals and ochres of the sky at sunset. The Meadow design in the Butterfly chapter was inspired by the almost geometric patterns I noticed in a wildflower-filled meadow one glorious day in late spring. The flowers were swaying gently in the breeze, creating the most spectacular effects, and butterflies flitted from flower to flower. Moments like these are so ethereal, which is why I love to celebrate them through my work.”

“I've always thought that colour has the ability to bring so much joy to everyday life”

living

Which pattern or design are you most proud of in your canon of work?

“It's tricky to say which design I'm most proud of since my designs are constantly evolving and so they're never really 'finished' as such.

I never quite know where inspiration might lead me and how a design might develop!

Having said that, some designs are particularly close to my heart because of the memories they evoke. I have such joyful memories of finding and sketching butterflies with my son when he was little. Those memories definitely make my butterfly designs extra special. My Garden City motifs and my Hares and Berries designs have been particularly popular over the years, so that's something I've been thrilled about. Again, the designs are always evolving and almost have a life of their own so it's impossible to pick a favourite.”

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 35

What advice do you have for knitters embarking on the patterns in the book?

“These are patterns to really immerse yourself in and take your time over.

Although you'll need to concentrate, you'll be so richly rewarded when you see how beautiful the results are. As I explain in the book, if you're not sure you've got time to knit an entire quilt or wrap, the patterns are very versatile since you can always knit smaller versions, such as a lap blanket or scarf.

Simply decide how many repeats to cast on your needles and how long to knit your 'fabric'. I'd love to think, though, that once you're completely absorbed in your knitting, you won't want to stop!”

Can you tell us more they're designed so that you can about the three key enjoy a little bit of nature no matter where you live. I was excited about design motifs that exploring the Butterfly and Garden form the basis for the patterns featured City designs in the context of the knitted fabric concept, which I'd in your book?

“The Butterfly and Garden City designs are continuing stories in the sense that the designs have been evolving over many years. They're really special to me. The Butterfly motif was something I began to develop when my son was very young and I was commissioned to create some butterfly tiles for a local biologist. My son and I would spend hours watching butterflies in the meadows near our home, so that's a precious memory.

I turn to my Garden City motifs – which include Tulip, Circle Flower and Seedhead – again and again.

They're a lovely blend of the floral and geometric. Inspired by the Garden City movement of the early 20th century,

been developing for several years.

I think of it as the way that stitches loop together to form a narrative of art and the people and landscapes that inspire me.

The Homecoming chapter is a celebration of the way that art and making come together for me when I'm knitting. The chapter also celebrates the wonderful creative collaboration that I've enjoyed with The Knitted Fabric's publisher, Laine.

From the moment that Laine's CEO and Creative Director Jonna and I got together to discuss ideas, it was exhilaratingly clear that we shared a creative vision, something that in itself felt like a homecoming.”

“I find so much inspiration in the stunning yarns being produced in Britain and beyond”

living

You’ve collaborated with textile producers on yarns.

Have you never been tempted to produce your own range?

“I'd definitely love to have my own yarn range at some point, but in the meantime, I find so much inspiration in the stunning yarns being produced in Britain and beyond. One of my favourite things is to order a selection of new yarns to try out. I’ll then happily spend hours immersed in a world of exciting new textures and palettes, dreaming up my next projects!”

What do you hope readers will take away from The

Knitted Fabric?

“I hope the book will give people the confidence to realise that they can sketch out a design – or even just dab a few brushstrokes of their favourite colours on a piece of paper – and open up a world of creativity, no matter how artistic they perceive themselves to be.”

The Knitted Fabric: Colourwork Projects for You and Your Home by Dee Hardwicke is published by Laine Publishing (£32). For more information on Dee’s workshops, including a special series she’s hosting at Hay Castle as part of the Hay Festival in May, visit deehardwicke.co.uk or follow Dee @deehardwicke

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 37

BOOKShelf

Will it be wild adventures or calm contemplation that feeds the soul this spring?

THE EDIBLE FLOWER: A MODERN GUIDE TO GROWING, COOKING & EATING EDIBLE FLOWERS BY ERIN BUNTING & JO FACER, LAURENCE KING PUBLISHING, 9 MARCH, £30 With a focus on the seasonal produce grown in their kitchen garden and the bounty foraged close to their smallholding in County Down, the first cookbook from chef Erin Bunting and organic gardener Jo Facer is full of delicious recipes to help create the prettiest of plates. Edible flowers are the star of the show, but there’s advice proffered too, particularly for those looking to create a beautifully productive kitchen garden of their own.

WILDER JOURNEYS: TRUE STORIES OF NATURE, ADVENTURE & CONNECTION, EDITED BY LAURIE KING AND MIRIAM LANCEWOOD, WATKINS PUBLISHING, 14 MARCH, £14.99 As a collection of essays, poems and incredible true stories drawn from an international group of adventurers and nature lovers, this book awakens a desire for a deeper connection to our wild world.

Travel with American explorer Angela Maxwell as she ‘walks the world’, join wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin as he documents the lives of white-tailed eagles, and discover how Gregory Smith survived for 10 years in an Australian forest.

THE ENGLAND COAST PATH 2ND EDITION: 1,100 MINI ADVENTURES AROUND THE WORLD’S LONGEST COASTAL PATH

BY STEPHEN NEALE, CONWAY, 2 MARCH, £18.99 With 2023 heralded as the year of the coast, vast sections of the England Coastal Path have opened as part of a long-running project that aims to connect some 2,700 miles of this National Trail. In this updated second edition, the newest sections of this ‘ninth wonder of the world’ are explored with 100 additional adventures set to delight walkers, ramblers and staycationers on the hunt for a hidden beach to escape to or seafood to die for.

FOLD IT CALM

BY LI KIM GOH, EBURY PUBLISHING, 2 MARCH, £14.99 For anyone fixed to the glare of their screen, the calming effects of the ancient art of origami should prove the perfect antidote. Better known to her devoted followers by her online moniker @kimigami, Li Kim Goh has collated 25 step-by-step origami projects that showcase the basic techniques used to turn a sheet of paper into both the whimsical (a mini cactus) and the practical (a sailboat that doubles as a table place card). Helpfully, 50 sheets of origami paper are also included to ensure you master the perfect paper crane.

RETREATS FOR THE SOUL: SUSTAINABLE AND STYLISH HIDEAWAYS AND HAVENS

BY SARA BIRD AND DAN DUCHARS, RYLAND PETERS & SMALL, 11 APRIL, £25 What makes a soulful hideaway? This is the question that authors Sara Bird and Dan Duchars seek to answer in this guide to places that offer the opportunity to dial down the volume on the world. Showcasing 14 remarkable retreats across three chapters: Close to Home, On the Water and In the Wild, whether it’s a summer house or a treehouse, a circus wagon or a canal boat, this book will provide the inspiration needed to create your very own palace of peace.

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 39

FASHION GORGEOUS JUMPSUITS | OPPOSITES ATTRACT | PINKY PROMISE

FEMININE FLORALS Whimsy blooms and greeneries abound in Bittersweet Collars’ Spring 2023 limited edition collection, aptly entitled ‘Coming into Bloom’. The new season awaits and it’s asking for a change. It’s time for awakening, rejuvenation, creation and for playfulness with colours, patterns, and botanical prints.

Made from 100% tana lawn cotton fabrics from Liberty London, these delightful collars are timeless and unique. Filled with feminine details borrowed from past times, but still entirely modern. Mother Nature is here for the celebration…would you join us too?

Anais Collar, Linen Garden US$305 bittersweetcollars.com @bittersweetcollars

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Discover limited edition and one of a kind pieces.

Designed in London, made in Jaipur. @pomegranate_london | pomegranate-london.co.uk

fashion Talisman Lolite Gem Necklace £60 pomegranatelondon.co.uk

Jackson Denim Jumpsuit £119 hush-uk.com

Organic Cotton Block Print Jacket, £195 Organic Cotton Patchwork Print Trousers, £149 broraonline.com

Aniyah Shoe £329 lkbennett.com

JUMP START STEP INTO SPRING IN THIS SEASON’S HOTTEST TREND – THE JUMPSUIT. DRESS IT UP WITH GLAM HEELS OR DOWN WITH SLIDERS. VERSATILE AND SUPER-CUTE, IT’S A MARCH MUST-HAVE

Vertical Stack Jumpsuit, £129 whistles.com

Taylor Organic Boilersuit, £169 baukjen.com

Chaya Crochet Tote Bag, £79 whistles.com

Rebecca Shoe, £425 emmylondon.com

Tie Waist Dyed Linen Jumpsuit in Midnight, £195 toa.st

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 43

Pink Cashmere Knitted Scarf in Peony, £95 broraonline.com

Luna Midi Dress, £179 baukjen.com

Georgia Silk Midi Dress in Blue Lips Eyes Print, £420 cefinn.com Lapis Lazuli Limited Edition Bangle, £120 pomegranate-london.co.uk

Betel Leaf Ruby Earrings £120 pomegranate-london.co.uk

SPRING BRIGHTS

BRING DOPAMINE DRESSING INTO YOUR LIFE WITH VIBRANT SHADES OF CORNFLOWER BLUE AND HOT PINK. BE BOLD WITH LOOK-AT-ME PRINTS – JUST ADD KNOCKOUT ACCESSORIES AND FLASHES OF DENIM TO SPRING’S FEEL-GOOD FASHION

Amanda Cream and Red Spot Fabric Platform Sandals £329 lkbennett.com Self-Portrait Mini Bow PatentLeather Tote Bag, £300 coggles.com

Indigo Denim Shirt Dress £175 toa.st

fashion Marguerite Multi-Coloured Tweed and Denim Skirt, £179 Marguerite Multi-Coloured Tweed and Denim Jacket, £359 lkbennett.com

Medora Dress in Blue Daisy Mix, £275 rixo.co.uk

Liberty Silk Blouse in Amberly Red £225 reallywildclothing.com

Harriet Shoe in Hot Pink £495 emmylondon.com

Rah Rah Skirt in Sky Alpine, £125 pinkcityprints.com

Cashmere Donegal V Neck Tank in Peony, £315 broraonline.com

Soft Pleat Front Jean, £185 meandem.com Lofty Cashmere Silk Pouf Sleeve Tee, £195 meandem.com

Fern Blue Denim Pointed Toe Courts, £249 lkbennett.com

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 45

carriercompany.co.uk a l wa ys m a de i n t he uk

sponsored by Michael Jones Jeweller

Graduated Trio of Diamonds 18ct White Gold Pendant, £2,770 michaeljonesjeweller.co.uk

Alia Fan, £29 lkbennett.com

Mia Shoe in Vapour, £425 Natasha Clutch Bag in Vapour, £395 emmylondon.co.uk

Morganite and Diamond 18ct White and Rose Gold Cluster Ring, £4,185 michaeljonesjeweller.co.uk

PRETTY IN PINK ROMANCE IS IN THE AIR THIS SPRING AS PALE COLOURS BLOSSOM

East/West Mini Bag in Soft Pink, £455 strathberry.com

Since 1919, Michael Jones Jeweller has offered a carefully curated selection of jewellery to suit all tastes. Today the collection ranges from luxury diamonds and exquisite bridal jewellery to prestigious Swiss-made watches and modern accessories from a wide array of renowned designers. Honesty and years of knowledge make for both highly personalised service and expert advice. Visit the showrooms in Banbury or Northampton, or book a bespoke appointment online at michaeljonesjeweller.co.uk

Heritage Rose Gold Pink Guilloché Enamel Petite Egg Pendant, £5,760 michaeljonesjeweller.co.uk

Florence Shoes in Misty Rose, £495 emmylondon.com

Shaun Leane Silver Cherry Blossom Diamond Flower Earrings, £350 michaeljonesjeweller.co.uk

Shaun Leane Silver Cherry Blossom Three Flower Diamond and Pearl Bracelet, £650 michaeljonesjeweller.co.uk

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 47

66a Paddenswick Road, Chiswick, London, W6 0UB 66a Paddenswick Road, Chiswick, London, W6 0UB

| |

0208 090 2845 0208 090 2845

PAINT PIONEER | FRESH SPRING IDEAS | ECO-FRIENDLY DECORATING

MATERIAL GIRL Fabric artist Natasha Hulse specialises in designing one-of-a-kind appliqué artworks that are beautifully hand embellished with luxurious fabric paints, embroidery thread and textile combinations. These charming, whimsical works are then upholstered onto bespoke pieces of furniture and accessories such as screens, lampshades, cushions and - Natasha’s favourite - headboards. “I spend months working on all the elements so it’s rewarding when they come together as a bold, striking focal point that sets off the room,” she says.

Pictured is the magnificent Tree of Life headboard Natasha created for Firmdale Hotels/Kit Kemp Design Studio, a three-dimensional statement piece that Kemp likens to “a special piece of couture.” natashahulse.com

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 51

Paint

PIONEER Edward Bulmer shares his vision of a more sustainable future for the design industry

PHOTOGRAPHY © ANNA BACHERLOR.

E

dward Bulmer is a man of many talents: interior designer, architectural historian, author and founder of his eponymous sustainable plant-based paint company, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. A true pioneer of the design industry, Edward is fast becoming the go-to champion for speaking out against industry challenges such as greenwashing, and for his efforts in raising awareness of the need for the design industry to be more planet-friendly. Here he shares his long and ongoing journey towards sustainability.

I was brought up in an old rectory, so my earliest childhood memories are all mostly within those drafty walls. It was those old walls that sparked what has become a lifelong interest, further fuelled when studying history of art and spending my weekends visiting historic homes across the UK. My background is in architectural history, picture conservation and interior design. I started over 30 years ago as an assistant to David Mlinaric. Then I met an amazing man called Alec Cobbe, whose own practice was principally picture restoration.

We were lucky to work on paintings and interiors in some of the UK’s finest houses. I became very confident in that field - the still-lived-in country house. We did some work for the National Trust, but mainly we were working for private families. In the 1990s I set up my own interior design practice specialising in historic houses like Althorp, Home House, Goodwood, Chequers and Chevening and have been doing so ever since.

PHOTOGRAPHY © ANNA BACHERLOR.

interiors

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 53

PHOTOGRAPHY © PAUL WHITBREAD; PHOTOPIA;

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: EDWARD BULMER’S DINING ROOM AT COURT NOKE, HIS HEREFORDSHIRE HOME, IS PAINTED IN AZURITE; FOR THE KITCHEN WALLS HE CHOSE THE SOFT SHADE OF JONQUIL, WHILE UNIT DOORS ARE PAINTED IN POMPADOUR; THE CALMING LONDON BROWN WALLS COMPLEMENT THE WICKER ROCKING CHAIR IN THE STUDY; NATURAL LIGHT FALLS ON LAVENDER WALLS AT DORFOLD HALL; PANELS IN THE BREAKFAST ROOM ARE PAINTED IN DOVE, WHILE HIGHER WALLS FEATURE BRIGHT BRIMSTONE; BACK IN THE KITCHEN, THE JONQUIL WALLS ARE PAIRED BEAUTIFULLY WITH WOODWORK IN POMPADOUR; EDWARD, AT THE DOOR OF HIS NATURAL PAINT SHOP IN EBURY STREET, LONDON; A BATHROOM AT COURT NOKE PAINTED IN CUISSE DE NYMPHE EMUE

ANNA BATCHELOR

PHOTOGRAPHY © PAUL WHITBREAD; PHOTOPIA;

interiors My motto is ‘historically resonant, yet comfortably modern’. My passion is breathing new life into centuries-old houses with a sympathy that is rooted in a deep understanding of the past, transforming them into comfortable homes designed for modern living. As well as style and aesthetic, it’s important to consider the form and function of a space. Every scheme is defined by the colours we choose, in fabrics, furniture and artwork, and we use tonal relationships to unite all the elements to achieve comfort and harmony. For me, attention to detail when it comes to the materials used is crucial, and sourcing sustainable products in every aspect of your project.

My journey towards sustainability began when I was working at Goodwood.

I was asked to use materials that were environmentally responsible and non-toxic.

I saw that paint was my biggest problem in this regard and so I mixed up the colours we needed in natural paint. Everything about it was better, the natural pigment gave beautiful clear colours, the surface texture was soft and chalky, and the paint was highly breathable which is good for buildings and our health. Since then, we have spent years developing the perfect colour range in the high performing natural paint. We are incredibly proud of the product we have created now, using only ‘gentle chemistry’ and a lot of dedication to making a more sustainable paint! Not only is this paint better for the planet but it is also better for us and our homes.

When I was researching paint for the Goodwood project, I couldn’t find any lists of ingredients or answers to my questions from the well-known major brands. I wanted something which looked beautiful, without any chemicals, but was more than a lime or clay paint as it needed to be robust enough for everyday family living.

I set about creating my own colours from natural base paints. We now have more than 100 beautiful colours.

Our vision is to create a truly natural paint which does not cost the earth and that protects both people and the planet.

I’m often asked why we should use natural paint. There are so many reasons, from

preserving buildings and our health, to minimising polluting our planet. We have long known that a climate crisis is here and the only way to avert a crisis is to act. Modern paint is fundamentally made from fossil fuels such as crude oil or shale gas, which is used to create the resin binders, acrylics, azo dyes that are used in the modern paint brands we know and love. For every litre of modern paint made, it is estimated that up to 20 times as much hazardous waste is created, and recent studies note that flakes of paint could be one of the most abundant types of microplastics in the world’s waters (University of Plymouth).

“COLOUR IS KING! WE ARE SURROUNDED

BY COLOUR, EVERYTHING WE OWN OR KNOW HAS A COLOUR REFERENCE, AND HAS DONE SINCE THE BEGINNING. THE COLOURS ALONG WITH THE SEASONS ARE SOME OF THE FIRST WORDS ANY OF US LEARNT.” EDWARD BULMER

Greenwashing is a big issue in the design and paint industry, and at this present time it’s so important to get the facts right. Greenwashing is a device used to indicate an intent to be ecologically or environmentally responsible – the term many use is ‘eco-friendly’. A paint can be described as such, when it is water-based, despite almost all paints containing resin binders that are forms of acrylic, vinyl, or alkyd – all polymers that are derived from petrochemicals. Also, for the record, all paint is water-based, that is how paint is made! Greenwashing is on the rise – it is a useful tool for companies to deflect criticism or attention while they figure out how to address future production. It is not necessary however, if the plans to meet this reduction in environmental damage stack up and are acted on within an urgent time frame. We aim to educate our customers to

help them make an informed decision.

From a design perspective, I have created a collection of colours which has given me an exact range of what I need and use for my own projects; they are reliable time after time. Plant-based paints deliver a different aesthetic. You need to experience a room or home, painted in plant-based paints to truly appreciate the difference. Our colours create living walls which have an unrivalled response to light, whether natural daylight or lamplight, and a beautiful soft matt finish. I create our colours from the same 12 earth and mineral pigments, which means these pigment-rich paints work together in tonal harmony.

Colour is king! We are surrounded by colour, everything we own or know has a colour reference, and has done since the beginning. The colours along with the seasons are some of the first words any of us learnt. Take a piece made of wood for example, that wood has its colour because the tree brought up minerals from the soil and grew, and so its pigmentation is essentially from the earth. Before modern chemistry advancements, that’s where all paint materials came from. In every colour, even our stronger colours, there are earth pigments. Earth pigments are like seasoning in cooking, like salt and pepper, and every dish needs a bit of seasoning.

The one colour that never existed in the past is brilliant white!

We have seen a shift to a palette of neutrals where our soft pinks are now considered new neutrals and people are decorating with rich browns and vibrant greens with complete confidence. The pandemic fuelled a desire to fill our homes with healthier products, paint included, and colours which made us all happy. Cocooned in our homes, it was natural for us to want to bring the outside in. I would challenge anyone to walk into a room painted in our ‘Invisible Green’ and not feel the positive energy and surge of serotonin this vibrant colour emits.

It’s grounding and reference is rooted in nature, being a grass green, and hardly ‘invisible’ - its name derives from the Victorian concept of vanishing painted ironwork into their gardens.

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 55

PHOTOGRAPHY © PAUL WHITBREAD; PHOTOPIA; ANNA BATCHELOR

THIS PAGE: WALLS PAINTED IN LONDON BROWN; ANTIQUES FROM LORFORDS. OPPOSITE: LONDON BROWN WALLS AT DORFOLD HALL. ALL PAINTS FEATURED ARE FROM EDWARD BULMER NATURAL PAINT

PHOTOGRAPHY © PAUL WHITBREAD; PHOTOPIA; ANNA BATCHELOR

interiors Our pinks are without doubt our bestsellers; from the plaster pink ‘Jonquil’, dusty favourite ‘Cuisse de Nymphe Emue’ to the beiger ‘Lilac Pink’. They are not too sugary and are just an easy and perfect backdrop to decorate from. I am often asked whether someone should use ‘Cuisse’ or ‘Jonquil’; I tend to prefer to keep ‘Cuisse’ for upstairs and ‘Jonquil’ downstairs, but they both work in most rooms and aspects, and it is a personal choice. I have ‘Lilac Pink’ in my own hall, ‘Jonquil’ in my kitchen and ‘Cuisse’ in my bathroom.

One of my favourite colour groups is our browns and it has been a joy to see these colours enjoy a well-deserved resurgence. Being polychromatic, brown goes with everything but in deeper hues it is particularly good at flattering beautiful, well drawn patterns. ‘London Brown’ puts everything else in a good light. It is strong and warm but somehow respectful to other colours regardless of weight or shade. I love its sophistication but do look at ‘Chocolate’ or the sludgy khaki ‘Mummy’ too, and they all work so well with other colours.

Overall, we have the inspirational pages of magazines, Instagram and Pinterest to thank for the newfound colour confidence consumers have. Ultimately it is down to personal preference, and I always ask clients to choose colours they love and not by following a trend. If you choose carefully, you will create timeless, comfortable rooms you want to spend time in.

To order a free colour chart or to book a colour consultancy appointment, go to edwardbulmer.co.uk Instagram @edwardbulmerpaint

You can meet Edward Bulmer on Friday 31 March at Thyme, Lechlade, Gloucestershire, GL7 3NX. He’ll be talking to Giles Kime, Interiors Editor of Country Life, about his new book, The Colourful Past: Edward Bulmer and the English Country House.

To book, visit thyme.co.uk.

“WORK WITH A COLOUR THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE AS A STARTING POINT – WHETHER THAT BE A PIECE OF FURNITURE, THE FLOORING, A FABRIC, OR A FAVOURITE PIECE OF ART. TRY OUT THE COLOURS ON THE WALLS. MY ADVICE IS TO PAINT OUT ON LARGER PIECES OF CARD AND PUT THEM IN DIFFERENT CORNERS OF YOUR ROOM SO YOU CAN SEE HOW THE LIGHT AFFECTS THE COLOURS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND THEN INTO THE NIGHT WITH ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING TOO.” EDWARD BULMER

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D E RW E NT HOUSE Home of British Craft and Makers

D E RW E NT HOUSE Home of British Craft and Makers

Sofas & Armchairs

Organic Mattresses & Beds

Furniture

Visit Derwent House, 3 Bridge Street, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 1BY T: 01993 212678 Free parking in our large car park to the rear of the store

Homewares

derwenthouseliving.co.uk

interiors

Re-energised by

SPRING

Interiors editor and nature lover Kerryn Harper-Cuss shares thoughts on making the most of Spring days at home and away

PHOTOGRAPHY © KERRYN HARPER-CUSS.

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sk friends which season they love best, and you’ll usually find a fairly even split between spring and autumn. Our niche of the hemisphere enjoys four clear seasons – each with its own allures – but I remain torn between these two. Both ignite a powerful sense of transition, not only in quality of light but in the sights, sounds, smells and ambience of the natural world. Few of us are impervious to the subliminal impact on our mood and energy levels.

Spring bursts in with such vitality.

Almost overnight branches seem to pop with swathes of whispering green, flowers fervently push through the soil to flirt with the sun, and hedgerows are filled with birds in full gossip. At home, my hall ‘nature table’ suddenly looks much jollier with a parade of hellebores, daffodils and sprigs of apple blossom in quick succession. Florist Phillipa Craddock’s website has good advice for cutting and arranging hellebores to avoid a drooping display.

At some primal level, humans come out of hibernation, too. Some feel an urge to re-feather nests, flourishing a paint brush or clearing clutter; others find themselves considering the cathartic effects of a proper spring clean. Now is also a wonderful time to renew intentions to eat seasonally and locally - I’ve found some inspiring recipes at riverford.co.uk.

I plan to repaint some floorboards with a pretty, chequered design in Edward Bulmer natural paints and dust off the sewing machine for a new Roman blind.

I’ve also stocked up on citric acid and bicarbonate of soda from fillrefill.co.uk

- in preparation for cleaning the areas that can no longer be ignored. Nancy Birtwhistle’s Clean & Green book has become a valuable source of advice for ‘low-tox’ cleaning. Like Nancy, I worry about warnings on bottles for both cleaning and garden treatments that advise the contents are harmful to marine life, children and pets, and that fumes should not be inhaled. One must assume that the mixtures they hold are also unfriendly to our soil and water table.

If you prefer the convenience of readyto-spray bottles but still want an ecoconscious choice, consider the ranges by Bio-D and Delphis Eco. Both companies are certified B Corps; the latter also has an EU ecolabel and a royal warrant from the household of long-standing environmentalist His Majesty The King.

Of course, the deepest joy of spring is finally feeling less cooped up. I don’t know about you but the siren call to get out and about feels even stronger this year. For me, this includes venturing into bluebell-smothered woods (woodlandtrust.co.uk lists its top 10), and vintage hunting at outdoor fairs.

The IACF has a useful event guide and Shepton Flea market near Bath is high on my list. For house and garden visits, I hope to return to Iford Manor, make a first visit to Kiftsgate Court Gardens, and travel to see the ‘Mirror Mirror’ design exhibition at Chatsworth, which looks very promising. Whatever your plans, I hope you feel reinvigorated by them. I’m sure the Wildflower team would love to hear your recommendations on any of the above.

THE SPRING (OR VERNAL) EQUINOX FALLS ON 20 MARCH IN 2023 WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 59

T

he way we use our homes has had a big shift in the last few years. More of us than ever are working from home and the way we relax and socialise has become more of a staying in affair.

We know the choices you’re making when decorating are all about your wellbeing and you want to choose brands with a positive and sustainable ethos. The question is how do we do that with all the greenwashing out there?

We went to the top brands and paint experts to find the best sustainable and eco brands on the shelves.

THE RECYCLED PAINT: LITTLE GREENE

ECO PAINTS

Good for you, your home and the planet

Want to see and hear why eco paints are so much better for us to use? Wildflower gets the lowdown from the experts

BY Emma Morton-Turner

Little Greene has launched ‘Re:mix’, a collection of leftover, unwanted paints, reformulated into a beautiful, matt finish for interior walls and ceilings. They upcycle these paints to prevent as much as 60,000 litres of high-quality mineral and organic raw materials from going to waste each year. As such, there is a limited run of 20 colours, in 2.5L tins – until the next batch.

Each new collection’s shades will depend on what colours come in to be recycled. Clever, eh?

“At Little Greene we have always believed it’s possible to create beautiful high-quality paints and wallpaper with minimal impact on the environment.

There is green thinking at all operational levels, including a continual waste reduction programme, increased recycling, and ongoing work to minimise the impact of emissions and transportation. Our water-based paints far exceed all legislation on VOCs and our oil-based paints have been formulated to use naturally occurring vegetable oils.”

Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director, Little Greene

Re:mix Yellow Pink, 2.5L, £28 littlegreene.com

Red Ochre 2.5L wall emulsion, £55 edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk

interiors

THE ALL NATURAL PAINT: EDWARD BULMER

Alpine Forget Me Not No.122 2.5L matt emulsion, £41.95 victorycolours.co.uk

The vegan paint: Victory Colours A familyrun company, Victory colours has adopted a holistic approach to business, from making paint to order and delivering direct to the end user, to handpicking packaging that is fully recyclable and made from sustainable sources, such as bamboo. Plus, There are more than 80 colours to choose from.

“After having my own family, I became increasingly mindful of the environmental damage being done to our planet and while I can’t directly change everything that is wrong with the world, I can do something about the environmental impact of my own brand. Our paints are truly vegan and do not contain any animal products such as casein, nor have they ever been tested on animals.”

Victoria Yardley, Managing Director

“Greenwashing exists in every industry and paint is no exception. It has adopted prefixes such as paint being ‘water-based’ or ‘low VOC’ or ‘eco-friendly’, yet in many instances nothing has changed. For the record, all paint is water-based. Nine times out of ten, the use of the term ecofriendly when it comes to paint is greenwashing. We say, always ask for a list of ingredients before buying.

Our Natural Paint has been built from the ground up, driven by a belief that, by making it differently, paint need not be polluting and that we can play our part in leaving a world where our children and grandchildren can thrive in balance with nature.”

EDWARD AND EMMA BULMER, FOUNDERS, EDWARD BULMER NATURAL PAINT

The breathable paint: Francesca’s Paints

“Making sustainable, plastic-free, breathable paint has always been part of our story. As a practising yogi for more than 20 years, it’s important to me that my business and work practices align with my beliefs and lifestyle. I feel very connected to nature as a person, and I have always made sure that my paints are as natural and organic as possible.” Francesca Wezel Sea Kale 1L eco emulsion from £35 francescaspaint.com

“Eco paint is free from solvents and their components and therefore contain low levels of VOCs. VOCs are the ingredients that release a strong smell when paint is drying, and this is when traditional paints are at their most dangerous. Eco paint has a texture and a depth that cannot be achieved by modern plastic paint. The colours change with the daylight and respond to light, creating a deepness that is unique. We should all start being more considerate to ourselves, our families and to the environment and use eco paint in our homes.”

FRANCESCA WEZEL, FOUNDER WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 61

1L pure matt emulsion from £27 fenwickandtilbrook.com

The paint eliminating waste: Fenwick & Tilbrook “All of our paint is made

to order which avoids stock sitting on shelves and reduces waste. all box packaging and tape are plastic-free and tins recyclable. Our paints are designed to last whilst remaining in the minimal VOC category – the pure Matt and Claypaint only contain a trace, therefore reducing the impact on the environment without compromising on quality.

OUr claypaint contains cornish clay and is formulated to be highly breathable. With over 70% of the raw material contents sourced in the UK, we are also focused on reducing our carbon footprint.”

ANNA HILL, BRAND DIRECTOR

Breathe 2.5L matt emulsion, £46 grahambrown.com

The made-to-order paint: Graham & Brown “At Graham & Brown, we pride ourselves on being a sustainable company and our extended range of paint is made to order to reduce wastage.

The paint cans are fully recyclable, and the paints are also cruelty-free and vegan. There are no animal by-products used in any of our paints and there is no animal testing involved at any stage. Like all products in the Graham & Brown collection, our paint is water-based which means it is low odour and ultra-low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound), making it much better for the environment and extremely quick drying.”

JAMES GREENWOOD, INTERIORS EXPERT, GRAHAM & BROWN

Loving Orange and Serene Peach 1L matt paint, £21 yescolours.com

The easy pour, no waste paint: Yes colours

Yes Colours is taking its eco credentials very seriously. To start with it has eco-friendly pouches that can be easily recycled at local collection points. They hold just one litre so there’s less overordering - which is the main reason for paint waste in the UK. They have an easy pour system, and they keep paint in good condition for longer. The packaging uses 16% less fossil fuel, 26% less water, and generates 21% less greenhouse gas emissions throughout production, compared to traditional packaging. The paint has zero-added VOCs and is free from Azo dyes, as well as surfactants found in some paints, including APEs (alkylphenol ethoxylates) and NEPs (nonylphenol ethoxylates), which can harm marine life and your health. It’s also free of all microbeads or microplastics, keeping things as eco-friendly as possible.

Brunswick and Nakijima paint, £23.50 a litre, graphenstone.co.uk

The hard-wearing paint: Graphenstone

Graphenstone meets the ‘Cradle to Cradle’ Gold Standard, which means you know that the company has an ongoing commitment to sustainability. Their paints are made from natural elements rather than chemicals, and their packaging is derived from 100% recycled materials, which are also fully recyclable. Graphenstone paints contain Graphene, which is an incredibly strong, highly inert, innocuous, non-toxic pure carbon. Graphene’s inclusion in paints, coatings and other building materials enhances hardness, durability, compression, tensile strength, elasticity, and coverage, making it a great choice for long-lasting paint - especially in high-use areas of the home.

Brunswick and Nakajima 1L matt paint, £23.50 graphenstone.co.uk

The eco, block printing paint: Molly Mahon “We’re very conscious of our impact on the environment and the mark we make on our planet. Respecting how we create our products is just as important to us as creating joy in the home. Every element of our business is thoroughly researched to make sure it’s the best it can be – from the materials we use to the process of creation. This is something we are incredibly proud of. Everything is done in small batches with a focus on detail and creating higher quality products with no waste”.

Molly Mahon, Owner Indigo Block Printing Paint, 250ml, £18 mollymahon.com

interiors

According to Dulux, 55 million FACT: litres of paint and 90 million

paint containers are wasted every year. That’s why they sponsor Community RePaint: a national network of non-profit schemes across the UK who will collect leftover paint and redistribute it to community groups and those in social need.

Visit communityrepaint.org. uk for your nearest drop-off

What exactly is a VOC

We hear about them all the time but what is the VOC in paint and why do we want to avoid them?

• VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are the chemicals found in solvent and waterbased paints. They’re the main reason you get a strong paint smell when decorating.

• The main purpose of VOCs in paints is to help with coverage. It’s the part that makes the paint go on smoothly so without those compounds you may need to do an extra coat.

• For best results when painting with low or no VOC paints use a roller like Coat’s recycled roller with bamboo handle and eco paint tray. You’ll get the unique look you want without buying another throwaway plastic tray.

6 tips to buying eco paint 1. Check the ingredients. There should be no harmful chemicals.

2. Don’t forget the packaging – is it recycled and recyclable?

3. Is it made to order to avoid waste?

4. What are the base ingredients made from? Are they natural?

5. How low are its VOC’s?

6. Calculate exactly how much paint you’ll need before you buy - sounds obvious but that’s the main reason for waste – dulux.co.uk has a paint calculator.

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 63

SPRING PROJECTS | LUSCIOUS LAWNS | TULIPS IN BLOOM

CORNISH PIT STOP RARE, EXOTIC AND TRICKY TO GROW, PINEAPPLES WERE A SYMBOL OF GREAT STATUS AND WEALTH IN VICTORIAN TIMES. A PINEAPPLE ON YOUR DINING TABLE MEANT YOU WERE A PERSON OF STYLE AND AFFLUENCE. UNEARTHED IN 1991, HELIGAN HAS THE ONLY WORKING, MANURE-HEATED PINEAPPLE PIT IN BRITAIN. PINEAPPLES ARE A LABOURİNTENSIVE FRUIT TO GROW BUT AT HELIGAN, THEY STICK TO TRADITIONAL VICTORIAN PINEAPPLE GROWING METHODS, DESPITE IT BEING COSTLY AND TIME CONSUMING. YOU CAN SEE THESE BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED PINEAPPLE PITS AT THE LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN THIS SPRING. THERE’S PLENTY OF EVENTS ON AT CORNWALL’S ORIGINAL SECRET GARDEN, SO PLAN YOUR VISIT TO THIS PLANT-LOVER’S PARADISE. VISIT HELIGAN.COM THE LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN, PENTEWAN, ST. AUSTELL, CORNWALL, PL26 6EN

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 65

Daffodils FOR DAYS spend those first glorious days of Spring outside amid a sea of daffodils. inspired by the colours and optimism of Spring, Marie Nichols suggests a host of simple creative ideas and nature-inspired projects to celebrate the new season

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othing says spring has arrived quite as much as a carpet of bright yellow daffodils, glinting in the sunlight. It’s the sign that the world is coming alive once more, those dark winter months are behind us and longer, warmer days stretch out ahead. If ever a flower was to have a sunny disposition it would be the daffodil. Its yellow petals radiate warmth

and optimism, little symbols of new life. The sight of so many reminds us of the power and beauty of nature. Vast swathes not only have a visual impact but, in their multitude, they bring a real sense of happiness. This spring, head outdoors and savour all the season brings to life: feel the warmth of the sun on your face, stroll among the daffodils or have a picnic surrounded by a sea of yellow. Spring is all about new beginnings.

Be inspired by the season’s natural wonders.

words and Styling

by Marie Nichols Photography by Rachel Whiting

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 67

cool as ice

Pimp up your drinks with edible flower ice cubes. Using bottled water, boil it twice (either in a kettle or a pan) and leave to cool. Clean your edible flowers (we used pansies), then place them into the bottom of your ice cube trays.

Pour over the cooled water and freeze - the cubes are at their best 24 hours after going into the freezer.

Just Picked

Arrangements don’t need to be fancy. Daffodils mixed with catkins and hellebores, forsythia, or other seasonal blooms, and placed in simple jars or galvanised pots give that fresh-from-the-garden feel.

Add Pretty Touches

Celebrate the abundance of spring by tying little paper cones filled with cut daffodils to the backs of chairs.

It’s a Wrap

A little effort goes a long way. Cut a strip of fabric (approximately 5cm x 18cm). Fray all the edges, fold the two short ends in so they overlap by about 1.5cm and secure by stitching on a button. Creating napkin rings that you can slip a simple spring stem into adds an extra-special seasonal touch.

68 | SPRING 2023 | WILDFLOWER

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Set the Scene

Create a tablescape that is as down to earth and joyful as the humble daffodil itself. Lay a simple table with a linen cloth. Chuck over a length of fabric to bring out the fresh spring tones from your surroundings and add armfuls of sunshine blooms.

“A host, of golden daffodils; beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze” William Wordsworth, 1807

Spring Wreath

An upturned basket makes the perfect base for a spring wreath. Gather a little posy of flowers, tie them together with string and attach to your basket. Finish with a little nest, faux eggs, and a bird decoration.

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Perfect Setting

Create a talking point with your place settings. Layer up vintage, mismatched china. Use curly moss to create a mini nest and finish with a quail’s egg, a sprig of catkin and either a guest’s name or a little message on a wooden tag.

stockists

A selection of linen romo.com Craft items hobbycraft.co.uk Beeswax sheets etsy.com/uk Adhesive wax seals thelittlebluebrush.com

Botanical Bunting Adorn the route to your table with homemade paper bunting.

Photocopies of old botanical books, sewn onto a length of ribbon, make a fitting decoration.

go potty

Potted bulbs are great to add as a table decoration, on windowsills or along pathways. Give plastic pots a suitably rustic (and reusable) update by creating ‘pot wraps’. Take a length of wide hessian ribbon and cut it to a size that will wrap around the pot with a slight 2cm overlap. Offer twigs up to the pot and trim to correct size (1cm taller than the height of your pot). Place the twigs tightly, side by side, along the length of the hessian.

Then use a hot glue gun to attach them to the hessian ribbon. When dry, wrap around your pot and secure in place by tying a ribbon.

The Thoughtful Hostess

Hand-rolled beeswax candles make a perfect little ‘going home’ gift for your guests. Take a sheet of beeswax, place the wick along one edge and roll. It’s that simple. Use an off cut of wallpaper or wrapping paper to wrap around a pair of candles and secure in place with an adhesive wax seal.

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Visit one of our showsites to discover our range of premium garden buildings and luxury retreats.

GARDENS

A good gardener’s companion

They say never judge a book by its cover, but this pretty paperback looks as good on the outside as it is on the inside. Drawing on the wisdom of writers, artists, scientists and philosophers, this thoughtful guide explores the mystery of why we love our gardens. A lovely read to enjoy whilst sitting on your patio this spring.

Why We Garden by Claire Masset, Batsford Books, £14.99 batsfordbooks.com

GARDEN IN STYLE

Some of the most attractive gardening gloves we’ve seen for a long while! These luxurious English linen and leather gauntlets are handmade in Britain, making each pair unique.

Practical and pretty, they are ideal for all those springtime gardening tasks.

Gardener’s Gauntlets in Cream Rose Linen, £32.95 annabeljames.co.uk

This handy set of two wild flower design storage tins will add colourful, botanical style to your potting shed or greenhouse.

Perfect for keeping seeds, twine and plant labels tidy.

In the Press

Nature lovers of all ages will adore this gorgeous new heirloom flower press by Blue Brontide. Handmade from solid, sustainable oak, it comes with organic hemp straps for ease of carrying across meadows, gardens and in woodlands. A lovely keepsake to treasure and pass down through the generations.

Wild Flowers Mini Storage Tin Set, £6.95 thenorthernline.co.uk

It’s never too early to encourage young ones into the garden and this charming Peter Rabbit Gardening Tool Kit maybe all you need to entice those little fingers.

Suitable for children aged 6 to 10 years, it includes a cotton tool bag and four childfriendly gardening tools. Enchanting!

Peter Rabbit Children’s Gardening Tool Bag Gift Set, £29.95 annabeljames.co.uk

SPRING BUYS

CHECK OUT OUR PICK OF THIS SEASON’S MUST-HAVES. GARDEN LOVERS OF ALL AGES ARE IN FOR A TREAT WITH A FLORAL TWIST

By Nicola Clements

Delicate Daisy Flower Press with Straps, £84 bluebrontide.com

lovely layers

All hard-working gardeners deserve a good cup of tea. This handcrafted, pretty-as-a-picture new mug from Emma Bridgewater offers a delightful way to serve your favourite brew.

Buttercups & Daisies ½ Pint Mug, £23 emmabridgewater.co.uk

Shetland Lambswool Jumper in Chamomile, £110 carriercompany.co.uk

This gorgeous yokeyellow jumper is made from premium grade lambswool spun in Aberdeenshire. Ideal for layering, it provides lightweight warmth as well as a joyous springtime pop of colour. Perfect for all those hours pottering in the garden over the next few months.

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It only gets

BETTER Gardeners are optimists, always thinking of ways to improve from one year to the next. Rosie Fyles explains how The word ‘better’ takes centre stage in her role at Chiswick House & Gardens words by Rosie Fyles

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ast spring, Rosie Fyles was appointed Head of Gardens at Chiswick House & Gardens Trust, one of the world’s most important landscape gardens. Grade 1 listed, it tells the story of a key moment in garden history, when William Kent and the Duke of Burlington began the English Landscape Movement. Rosie gives us an insider’s update on this historical plot of land.

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hiswick House & Gardens is as historical as it is beautiful.

Home to the first English rose garden, a 19th century formal garden and a thriving kitchen garden enclosed by 17th century walls, there’s a lot more to it than first meets the eye. Rosie takes us inside and tells us about her first spring as Head of Gardens and why the word ‘better’ is key to the job.

Almost every gardener is a perfectionist. While enjoying the current spring, we are planning the next to be ‘better’. Gardening is the practice of optimism as much as it’s about creativity. But what ‘better’ next year means for all of us is changing.

Chiswick House & Gardens, last spring (my first), was glorious.

Thousands of bulbs and shrubs flowered, fruit trees blossomed, the lake’s birds seemed busier than ever and visitors enjoyed the May warmth.

While the 100-metre-long wisteria lost many of its spring flowers to late frost, it came back strong in early summer with a second and third flowering which seemed more beautiful: and summed up that resilience and purposefulness in plants that is so encouraging.

How did your first experience of spring at Chiswick House & Gardens inspire you?

We identified fleece that we can blanket the wisteria with if we need to, a temporary patchwork of grey to protect the vulnerable buds. For wildlife and spectacle, we ordered 15,000 successionally flowering narcissi for our Kitchen Garden’s long double border. This year, the view through the 19th century conservatory to the Kitchen Garden is full of colour, and the beds are packed with pollinators. In the formal Italian garden and woodland, thousands more bulbs have gone in – wedding parties and family picnics surrounded by spring flowers are on offer in 2023.

In the wider landscape gardens, we shaped shrubs and trees to show off that first, fresh, zingy foliage and opened views to the spring-flowering shrubs. The lime greens of hornbeams’ early leaves rival the largest flowers of spring. When you look across to the lake towards the temple and the house, you see all the greens but also, the yellows, blues, whites, and purples too.

Last year, right through May, the warmth, heat, and dry weather remained. It’s my experience of these conditions and the response in the garden to them, that’s changed how we have planned for this spring and beyond.

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“In the wider landscape gardens, we shaped shrubs and trees to show off that first, fresh, zingy foliage and opened views to the spring-flowering shrubs” Rosie fyles, head of Gardens at chiswick House & gardens WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 77

Have you introduced any ‘new rules’ since taking on the job?

We have decided that all planting of perennials will only take place in autumn. This is to ensure that every plant (especially trees), gets a wetter start. We planted more than 1,500 grasses, shrubs, and trees last autumn.

If it rains heavily in spring and early summer, we will mulch as much as we can to capture that moisture when and where the plants most need it. If we don’t think it has rained quite enough, we will water after rain to make sure (we’ve increased our water harvesting capacity). Getting the right moisture level in the soil early in spring – especially around roses, apples, pears, maples, and camellias – will enable them to either thrive or at least stand up to the drier conditions ahead. They won’t need watering again.

Our mulching material often begins with cardboard, to suppress weeds, break down and add carbon to the soil. On top of cardboard, ideally, we will add about 10cm depth of Chiswick-made compost. When compost is running low, we use woodchip.

When the mulching race is on, in less visible corners, we will use grass cuttings.

A better spring will be one where we are watering less, mulching more. A better early spring is one when it rains heavily, (preferably overnight).

“This spring will be better as visitors to our kitchen garden can pick edible flowers and harvest them for their own teas and infusions at home”

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What else does a better spring and early summer need to include?

In our walled Kitchen Garden, it must include asparagus and lots of it. For me, picking ‘my own’ asparagus has been a dream since my teens. To have a glut (or too much) asparagus is an impossibility.

We have edible flowers to go with salads of many types of leaves. ‘Curating’ a seasonal salad mix – that we sell or donate - is a perk of my job. This spring will be better as visitors to our Kitchen Garden can pick edible flowers and harvest them for their own teas and infusions at home.

In spring, ideally, you should be able to enjoy the garden (and what’s flowering) from a position of shade as well as in sunshine. Early springs are now often cool, late springs can be very warm. Last May I stood in the rosary – historically the first English rose garden – and could not believe my luck to be working to care for such an exuberant planting. Colour, scents, and joyful abundance but also, heat. This year will be better as benches will also be in shade. And this year will be better because I will stop and sit on one for at least a few minutes.

The gardens at Chiswick House, with the exception of the Kitchen Garden, are open all year round and access is free of charge. The Kitchen Garden will be open to the public from 16 March to 29 October 2023, Thursday to Sunday, 11am-4pm (last entry 3:30pm).

Tickets for the Kitchen Garden cost £4.50 for adults, £2.25 for children (members go free). chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 79

GARDENS WOLF-Garten multi-change® Springtine Rake, £49.99 wolfgarten-tools.co.uk

Mountfield Cordless Grass Trimmer Freedom 100 Series, MTR 20 Li, £109 mountfieldlawnmowers.co.uk

Cutting Edge RAKE IT IN Make light work of collecting grass cuttings with this fanshaped rake.

Designed to glide across your lawn without damaging it.

LAY OF THE LAWN

Scarifiers are a great investment to encourage healthy lawn growth. This lightweight battery-powered scarifier from STIHL easily removes moss and built-up thatch, ensuring your lawn can root properly, hydrate and soak up essential nutrients.

With verticutter and dethatcher attachments, this cordless model is guaranteed to help you achieve a lush lawn in no time.

STIHL RLA 240 Cordless Lawn Scarifier, £509 stihl.co.uk

This handy new cordless grass trimmer from Mountfield is ideal for small gardens or edging lawns. With a battery that holds its charge for up to 20 minutes, an adjustable head and soft grip handle, this useful power tool will help you to keep on top of your lawn effortlessly.

THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER

Wild about bees

These bags contain 100 seedballs (each with 30 wildflower seeds), all selected to attract bees to your garden.

Bee Mix, £15 seedball.co.uk

LUSH, GREEN AND BEAUTIFULLY MANICURED, WILDFLOWER ROUNDS UP THE LATEST PRODUCTS TO HELP ACHIEVE THAT PICTURE-PERFECT LAWN

By Nicola Clements Niwaki Mini Shears, £54 niwaki.com

a good feed

For lusciously thick, green grass, this is the only lawn feed you will need.

Phostrogen Organic Lawn Food, 15kg for £27.85 growwithphostrogen.co.uk

Shear brilliance

With grippy handles and stainless steel shears, this fabulous design from Niwaki is perfect for achieving lawn edging precision.

For fast-growing Premier League-quality lawns, MOOWY’s Power Lawn Grass Seed is hardy and long-lasting.

It’ll transform your outdoor space.

MOOWY Premium Lawn Grass Seed, £13.99. moowy.co.uk

MAGIC MOWER

Designed to make cutting your lawn as easy as can be, the new STIGA autonomous robot mowers will be coveted by every busy gardener.

Completely cable-free, these clever cutters are energy efficient and designed to navigate your lawn more efficiently than a standard mower - keeping your grass in tip-top condition for longer.

Stiga Autonomous Robot Mower, from £3,086 (including installation). stiga.com

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 81

NATURAL BEAUTY Bring nature inside with a creative spring project from florist anna potter

Photography by India Hobson

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istening to and learning from nature is florist Anna Potter’s mantra. Her new book, Flower Philosophy: Seasonal projects to inspire & restore, offers a new perspective and a wealth of practical advice on how to bring flowers into your home this spring. Here Anna shares an original and creative project for you to try at home – creating a seasonal wreath.

‘More than any other season, spring is characterized by contrast. Early on, all is stark as new shoots take their time to grow. It is a time marked by newness, shoots, blossom and firsts. Snowdrops, daffodils, bluebells and forget-me-nots. These are the flowers of my childhood, laced through knee-deep ivy in the woods at the back of my house; a full immersion in faeriedom. I can still recall walking barefoot through the garden in spring, the cold dew feeling at once uncomfortable and familiar, strangely comforting.

Bringing nature into the home at this time can be a source of real comfort and inspiration.

Combining blossoming branches and bulb flowers with the past season’s dried twigs, seedheads and moss lends a harmonious balance between the old and the new. Each is imbued with added beauty and meaning. Every year I look forward to revisiting rituals that I have adopted over time. I make a spring wreath, either from scratch or by rejuvenating my dried Christmas wreath. There is poetry in combining the fresh, sometimes fleeting, spring blooms with scrappy and withered foliage and flowers that have dried out from seasons past. There’s something very wabi-sabi about it – the Japanese ethos that teaches us nothing lasts forever, nothing’s perfect and nothing is ever finished.

I collect sprigs of foliage, blossom and twigs from my garden, or I forage them while out on a walk, gathering these new ingredients together. Sparingly, I snip blossoming lengths of blackthorn, forsythia and spiraea, and Amelanchier, with its gnarly black stems. I fill old dishes with blossom and miniature daffodils or grape hyacinths, all scented and fleeting. I craft arrangements of tulips, learning to work with their bent and shapely forms.’

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“I SEEK OUT NEW MATERIALS, PURELY FOR COLOUR, TEXTURE AND MOVEMENT”

“Spring is a season of celebration, a time to welcome new life and growth and to give thanks for all that nature has to offer” Anna Patton

SEASONAL WREATH Harvested out in the wild, the ingredients for this arrangement become a fusion of darkness and light, of life and death. By letting go of the old ways we can truly, creatively, make way for something new.

During the Covid-19 pandemic I felt frustrated by its limitations. How could I create now that I was no longer able to select flowers from a fully stocked market? And yet, looking around me, I saw so much beauty, such wealth that, before now, I had simply overlooked. So, I began to tread the path unknown, finding novel materials to work with on quiet spring walks, and this has since become a ritual for me. I seek out new materials purely for colour, texture and movement, and not because I’ve seen them somewhere on Instagram or because they are the latest fashionable bloom.

And so, to the stems for my wreath.

Cherry, or Portuguese laurel is often relegated to car parks and neglected areas of our gardens. Left without vigorous pruning, it produces the sweetest-smelling cascading blossoms. The leaves have the most deliciously inviting almond fragrance, yet they contain poisonous hydrogen cyanide. Having cut and used the blossoms unwittingly, I’m now drawn to this darker side that gives the plant a sinister beauty. Similarly, the blackthorn blossom – possibly my favourite of all the spring-flowering branches – has its own library of dark tales and folklore, of witchcraft and sorcery. In some traditions, a long, hard winter is referred to as a ‘blackthorn winter’. A common theme that runs through the old stories is that blackthorn helps us to face the inevitability of our own death.

Straight, sturdy stems of pussy willow are no strangers to a seasoned florist, who might use them in hotel displays, large arrangements or winter bouquets.

In the past I was never interested in these rigid, pristine fluff-ball sticks, but what I find in nature challenges my prejudice, for here are beautiful, light, wispy branches of catkins dusted with messy pollen, translucent and ethereal, chartreuse in tone. Traditionally the first branch to be brought into the home in springtime or used in place of palms at Easter services, pussy willow is a symbol of new life and hope. Easter and the spring equinox both celebrate newness and life. The Earth returns to a place of perfect balance. Day and night are equal, the light and the dark bringing the return of some much-needed balance into our own lives.

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INGREDIENTS

3

 Wire wreath frame measuring 30cm (12in) in diameter  Roll of wreath wire  Strong scissors or secateurs  Moss  Laurel x 15 stems  Pussy willow x 12 stems  Ornamental pear x 10 stems  Hellebore x 10 stems  Blackthorn x 6 stems  Berberis x 6 stems  Forsythia x 3 large stems

Work your way around the wreath base again, this time adding the foliage and sprigs of blossom. Make small, hand-sized bunches of your ingredients, lay them flat on the wreath and wrap just the bottom 2cm (1 inch) of stem tightly to the base.

METHOD

2

Add small clumps of moss to the base, securing each by wrapping with wire. Completely cover one side of the wreath with moss.

1

6

. Attach the reel wire to the wreath frame by wrapping it around once or twice and tying a knot. Keep this fixed to the wreath for the entirety of the making – you will continue to wrap the wire around the frame as you add your stems.

Once you have added your last bunch of ingredients, tie the wire off and cut the connection. Finish your wreath with a ribbon, a favourite piece of fabric or nothing at all.

5 4

In each bunch, try to have one longer stem of pussy willow or sprig of blossom to help create movement in the design. As you add more foliage, use each new bunch to cover the stems of the last.

As you work your way around the wreath, alternate the bunches so that one is positioned slightly towards the inner edge of the wreath, and the next slightly towards the outer edge.

It is good to use the fuller, fluffier ingredients such as the berberis on the inner bunches. They will fill the space without encroaching into the centre circle too much and you’ll be able to keep a simple round shape in the middle.

Extract from Flower Philosophy: Seasonal projects to inspire & restore by Anna Potter, White Lion Publishing, £20.

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 85

Summerdale House © Val Corbett

Be inspired by 3,500 exceptional private gardens opening for the National Garden Scheme in 2023. From country estates to cutting gardens, city spaces to allotments there is so much to explore. Find them all at www.ngs.org.uk Registered charity number: 1112664

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TOP 10 SPRING GARDEN EVENTS

By Nicola Clements

THE ART OF FOOD | ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW UNTIL 5 MARCH There’s still time to delight in the painterly perfection of ‘The Art of Food’ at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. This wonderful exhibition takes visitors on a food discovery journey through the lens of botanical art.

Admission included in entry to the Gardens. kew.org HARROGATE SPRING FLOWER SHOW | GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOWGROUND 20–23 APRIL The UK’s best nurseries and garden designers will be displaying their stunning seasonal plants at this year’s show. Step into the Floral Art Pavilion for a celebration of British design, including tributes to King Charles III and Dame Vivienne Westwood.

Tickets £25 (reduced if purchased online before 4 April). flowershow.org.uk BADMINTON HOUSE OPEN GARDENS 23 APRIL The private gardens of historic Badminton House are open to the public just three times per year. In April, they open their doors for the first time in 2023 and promise glorious displays of tulips, herbaceous perennials and soft spring colours.

Tickets from £7.50 (seniors), kids go free. badmintonestate.com TOBY’S GARDEN FESTIVAL | POWDERHAM CASTLE, EXETER 28–29 APRIL Now in its ninth year, Toby’s Garden Festival continues to flourish. This year, Joe Swift joins its line-up of guests, along with 150 other exhibitors. There’ll be workshops, demonstrations and plenty for foodies too.

Early bird tickets £11. tobygardenfest.co.uk

BBC GARDENERS’ WORLD SPRING FAIR | BEAULIEU, HAMPSHIRE 28–30 APRIL Enjoy this year’s BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair from the beautiful grounds of Beaulieu. Expect gardening inspiration, entertainment, shopping, and the BBC Good Food Market. Tickets from £15. bbcgardenersworldlive.com/spring-fair NATIONAL GARDENING WEEK 2–8 MAY The nation’s biggest annual celebration of gardening returns this May, with inspiration and events for everyone. The Royal Horticultural Society will be encouraging us to share our love of gardening on social media using #RHSGardenDay and #NationalGardeningWeek. rhs.org.uk RHS MALVERN SPRING FESTIVAL 11–14 MAY This four-day event is packed with ideas, whatever your horticultural interests.

This year, don’t miss the new Tips & Tricks platform, where experts will be on hand to offer advice on how to successfully grow food for the table. Tickets from £23.85 (members), £25.85 (public). rhs.org.uk NATIONAL FLOWER SHOW | HYLANDS HOUSE, CHELMSFORD 19–21 MAY With hundreds of home and garden exhibitors, as well as awe-inspiring floral displays inside Hylands House, this year’s National Flower Show is bigger than ever.

Tickets from £15 for adults, £4 for children. nationalflowershow.co.uk

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: NATIONAL FLOWER SHOW; BBC GARDENERS’ WORLD SPRING FAIR; THE ART OF FOOD, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW; RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 23–27 MAY Much to the delight of flower enthusiasts and professional gardeners alike, the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show returns in May. Promising exquisite floral displays, first-class shopping and show gardens galore, this annual event is one to firmly mark in your diary. Tickets from £37.85 (members), £48.85 (public). rhs.org.uk NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME The National Garden Scheme has been offering access to some of the country’s most exceptional private gardens for nearly 100 years. With over 3,500 gardens taking part, spring is the ideal time to pay some a visit. You’ll be supporting this wonderful charity in helping to raise money for nursing and health charities at the same time.

Throughout the year. Prices based on individual gardens. ngs.org.uk .

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 87

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEIL HEPWORTH.

fever

TULIP

over winter, rhs gardeners have planted more than 300,000 tulip bulbs across its five uk venues. the results are set to be an astonishing visual extravaganza in celebration of this much-loved flower

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEIL HEPWORTH.

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pring blooms into life, bringing with it a riot of colour in the garden.

Nothing dazzles more than the flamboyant tulip. Whether grouped in humble pots or spread across stretches of lawn in a sea of outrageous colour, the bold and beautiful tulip remains one of Britain’s favourite flowers. Easy to grow, and available in myriad shades, from palest pink, through apricots and yellows, to hot pinks and dangerous reds, to dark purple and – most dramatic of all – black, tulips have broad appeal. And the shapes - lily-, fringed-, parrot-, double-headed and peony-flowered forms – with 150 species and over 3,000 naturally occurring and cultivated varieties of tulip, there’s plenty to choose from.

A member of the lily family, Liliaceae, these once exotic and highly prized flowers are now widely available, and for many, are a highlight of the season. So why not indulge your passion for tulips this spring, and what better way than by visiting one of the RHS’s five spectacular gardens, where you can enjoy ‘A Celebration of Tulips’ between March and May. Tulips take centre stage at the five RHS Gardens this spring with magnificent displays of colourful blooms to be found at RHS Bridgewater in Salford, RHS Harlow Carr

in North Yorkshire, RHS Hyde Hall in Essex, RHS Rosemoor in Devon and RHS Wisley in Surrey. The horticultural spectacle will see a rainbow of hues displayed in beds, borders and containers, with different styles, colours and planting techniques at each of the five gardens. In total, RHS gardeners have planted more than 300,000 bulbs this winter to create the eye-catching sight.

At RHS Bridgewater, gardeners have planted more than 12,500 tulips in pots and borders to delight visitors this spring, which can be found in containers throughout the Learning Garden, Kitchen Garden and Bee & Butterfly Garden as well as in the borders between the Long Walk and the northern entrance to the Kitchen Garden. Nearly 60 species and cultivars can be found around the garden, demonstrating the extraordinary breadth of colours and forms.

A ribbon of tulips at RHS Harlow Carr will guide visitors from the Learning Centre to the Sun Border, with a colourful mix of almost 60 different species and cultivars on show, including pastel yellow Tulipa ‘World Friendship’, near-black ‘Paul Scherer’ and striking flamelike ‘Banja Luka’. In total, more than 12,000 tulips have been planted across the southfacing slopes of the garden.

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Create your perfect garden with fine quality designs, hand crafted

by Haddonstone Our beautiful Show Gardens are open weekdays this spring Call 01604 770711 Visit haddonstone.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEIL HEPWORTH, NICOLA STOCKEN AND RICHARD BLOOM.

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RHS Hyde Hall will showcase 14,000 bulbs planted in beds and containers in the Hilltop Gardens, Floral Fantasia and Courtyard Gardens to delight visitors this spring. Visitors are certain to find a favourite amongst the 50 different types on display in every possible colour, from the pure ivory Tulipa ‘White Dream’ and pink-tinged ‘Eyelash’ to brilliant scarlet ‘Kingsblood’ and deep purple ‘Black Hero’.

At RHS Rosemoor, visitors will be welcomed by a vibrant display of tulips in containers and beds, with over 13,300 bulbs having been planted by the garden team this winter to create a cheerful spring spectacle.

Highlights include the dazzling mass planting of Tulipa ‘Bourbon Street’, ‘Golden Dynasty’, ‘Request’ and ‘Passionale’ on the ramp beds at the entrance, and containers throughout the formal gardens.

Gardeners at RHS Wisley have planted more than a quarter of a million tulips to create a magnificent new experience never seen before at the flagship RHS Garden. Inspired by famed tulip displays around the world, visitors can discover a spectrum of colourful blooms leading across seven acres towards a breathtaking display in the lawns encircling the Glasshouse and adjacent lake, in colours ranging from deep velvety purple to fiery red and orange to soft pastel pink.

“Inspired by famed tulip displays around the world, visitors can discover a spectrum of colourful blooms leading across Seven Acres”

To plan your visit, go to rhs.org.uk/gardens

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 91

Discover Kent’s original vineyard, owned and managed by the Barnes family since 1969 Producing award-winning still and sparkling quality English wines, ciders and juices, the Vineyard Shop is open year-round. Our Self-Guided Tours are available May-September, along with pre-booked Private Guided Tours.

We look forward to welcoming you to Biddenden. Book now via our website for the 2023 season

01580 291726 | info@biddendenvineyards.co.uk Visit our website for opening times & more information on visiting

www.biddendenvineyards.com Looking for the perfect couples get away? Discover The Grape Escape at Biddenden Vineyards

Biddenden Vineyards, Gribble Bridge Lane, Biddenden, Kent, TN27 8DF

A TABLE FULL OF LOVE | WOMEN ON WINE | COUNTRY CLASSIC

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Spring flavours abound at Woven by Adam Smith, the flagship restaurant at the Dorchester Collection’s Coworth Park. On the menu for spring, you’ll find inventive dishes such as Stuffed Morel, including sweetbread, three cornered leek and onion consommé; Cornish Turbot with lobster and truffle; plus, Hereford beef with potato, onion, tendon and tongue. Desserts include seasonal Yorkshire Rhubarb with yoghurt, ginger and lime, or try an array of carefully selected British cheeses served from the pantry. Designed by Martin Hulbert Design, this theatrical and contemporary dining space delights in every detail. Incorporating artisan designs and eye-catching creations inspired by nature (including hand-painted silk wall coverings), it’s the ideal space in which to showcase Adam’s wonderfully seasonal British cooking. Martin says, “We wanted to create a space that elevates the dining experience and perfectly complements Adam’s incredible food. It’s bursting with bespoke design pieces and is a showcase for the fantastic artisans and craftsmen who have helped us create something totally original.” dorchestercollection.com martinhulbertdesign.com

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 93

SkyeHIGH Exploring the connection between food and love, cookery writer Skye McAlpine shares recipes to seduce, nourish and spoil

It’s cookies, the American kind, studded with bitter chocolate chunks, still chewy and slightly under-baked (deliciously so) at their centre; and it’s birthday cake, lots of birthday cake, because of all the things to

cook for someone you love, birthday cake is the most joyous of them all.

The emphasis is on why we cook as much as it is on how to do it. In the pages that follow, you’ll find a selection

of three recipes to seduce, nourish and spoil your loved ones, as well as yourself; recipes to weave joy and delight into your everyday; recipes to show someone you love them.

PHOTOGRAPHY © SKYE MCALPINE

M

y third cookbook, A Table Full of Love, is about love; the different kinds of love that permeate and underpin our world, that make life richer, more complex, at times more painful, often happier; the kinds of love that ultimately make life worth living.

In my teens and twenties, I spent a lot of time thinking about love: I studied classics, first as an undergraduate degree and then a master's degree and then a doctorate.

My particular interest was ancient love poetry; most especially the works of Roman poet Ovid. Much of what I learned in those years, I’ve now forgotten, but something that has stayed with me, and which still fascinates me, is the nuanced way in which the Greeks and the Romans understood love. In the constellation of the ancient world there are many kinds of love, each with its own name, like characters in a novel: there is Eros (lust), Philia (friendship), Ludus (flirtation), Storge (unconditional love), Philautia (self-love), Pragma (family love), Mania (obsessive love) and Agape (love for all things).

It is these different kinds of love that are the inspirations and the foundations for my book, and that dictate its rhythm. Just as it is love – in some shape or form – that dictates how and why I cook, as well as why I love to cook.

It’s written in the language of food, so it’s roast chicken with crisp, salty browned skin; bowls of thick soup, so creamy and rich by way of nourishing flavour that you can taste it with every fibre of your battered and bruised being.

food & drink

The idea to throw chopped rhubarb into cake batter, raw, like little sticks of pink Brighton rock, comes to me via my friend Sarah Standing, veritable domestic goddess. It is sheer genius. I’ve taken a version of the River Café’s inimitable recipe for polenta cake as my base, which is equal parts buttery and crumbly and a pleasing golden yellow hue, and through it you get shards of sour rhubarb, pops of intense pink colour and flavour.

By the same principle, you could throw some raspberries (frozen or fresh), blackberries or even blueberries in there.

Though candy-pink rhubarb, when in season, will always have my heart.

And this is a hearty cake.

on

dC

barb and Al u h R m

ake

Serves 10

PHOTOGRAPHY © SKYE MCALPINE

ACTIVE TIME: 10 mins COOKING TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes

370g salted butter, softened, plus more for the tin 370g caster sugar 370g ground almonds 2 tsp vanilla extract 5 eggs 3 tbsp milk 190g polenta 1½ tsp baking powder 300g rhubarb, chopped into 2cm pieces sea salt flakes

Tip:

Package up in a cake box or tin. It will keep happily for two to three days.

Method

1. Heat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan/Gas 5). Butter a 23cm springform cake tin and line it with baking parchment.

2. Beat the butter and sugar together until pale and light. Stir

in the ground almonds and vanilla.

Now beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the milk. Lastly, fold in the polenta, baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt.

3. Spoon the batter into the prepared cake tin, then drop in the

chunks of rhubarb, scattering them evenly though the cake.

4. Bake in the oven for 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, until the cake is set and brown on top.

Let cool in the tin, then turn the cake out on to a dish or stand.

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 95

Tip: These will keep in the

freezer in their little ramekins for three months. Make sure to include a note with baking instructions, if you’re dropping them off as a gift

W h i t e Ch o c o l a t e a n

st a

dP i

o chi Tort ini

Method

1. Butter two 10cm ramekins, making sure to liberally coat the bases.

2. Combine the white chocolate, butter and sugar in a small saucepan and set over a low heat to melt. Stir regularly to stop the chocolate from catching and take the pan off the heat as soon as it is melted.

3. In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs with a fork. Add the eggs to the melted chocolate and stir vigorously until well combined. Now add the flour to the chocolate and stir vigorously until you have a smooth, chocolatey cream.

4. Pour one-quarter of the mixture into each of the prepared ramekins. Spoon a dollop of

pistachio cream or chocolate-hazlenut spread into the middle of each, then pour over the remaining white chocolate mix, dividing it equally between each ramekin so the pistachio or chocolate is completely covered. Cover and set in the freezer for a couple of hours (longer if you like).

5. When you are ready to serve, heat the oven to 200 °C (180°C fan/Gas 6). Bake the tortini straight from the freezer, in the middle of the oven, for 25 minutes, until lightly golden on top and slightly risen in the middle. They should feel firm to the touch. Dust with icing sugar and/ or a scattering of pistachios, if you like, before serving while still warm.

A wonderfully fudgy dessert somehow in the same family as sticky toffee pudding. The tortino or ‘little cake’ is made from white chocolate, which gives it that intensely dense texture, then baked at its centre is a dollop of melting sweet pistachio cream. This you can buy in jars – most Italian delicatessens or specialist online suppliers stock it – or make for yourself. I love white chocolate and pistachio together, but you could equally substitute a dollop of chocolate-hazelnut spread for the pistachio cream. Once prepared, these need to rest in the freezer for a few hours, so you do need to think ahead; but on the flip side you can make them in advance and have them ready to pop in the oven when needed.

Serves 2

ACTIVE TIME: 20 mins COOKING TIME: 3 hours in the freezer; 25 minutes in the oven 100g salted butter, plus more for the ramekins 100g white chocolate, finely chopped 60g caster sugar 2 eggs 2 level tbsp plain flour 2 heaped tsp pistachio cream or chocolate-hazelnut spread, such as Nutella Icing sugar, to dust (optional) Finely chopped pistachios, to serve (optional)

A Table Full of Love: Recipes to Comfort, Seduce, Celebrate & Everything Else in Between by Skye McAlpine, published by Bloomsbury, £26

food & drink

Serves 10-12

ACTIVE TIME: 35 mins COOKING TIME: 50-60 mins CHILLING TIME: 20 mins FOR THE CAKE 300g salted butter, softened, plus more for the tins 340g caster sugar 270g marzipan, grated 8 eggs 180g self-raising flour fine sea salt FOR THE FILLING AND ICING 370g fresh raspberries 450g icing sugar, plus 2 heaped tbsp 3 tbsp boiling water 120g marzipan, grated 230g salted butter, softened

Tip:

Method

1. Heat the oven to 170 °C (150 °C fan/Gas 3). Butter and line two 23cm round cake tins.

2. Combine the caster sugar, marzipan and a generous pinch of salt in a food processor and blitz to something resembling sand. Add the butter and blitz until smooth.

3. Add the eggs, one at a time, blitzing after each to make a smooth batter. Add the flour and blitz again until thoroughly blended.

4. Divide the batter equally between the prepared tins and bake in the oven for 50–60 minutes, until lightly golden on top

R

and a knife comes out clean when inserted to the middle. Let cool in the tin for 20 minutes or so, then turn out on to a wire rack and let cool completely.

5. To make the icing, combine 120g raspberries in a food processor with the 2 heaped tbsp icing sugar and blitz to a smooth purée. Strain the purée through a sieve. Discard the seeds and set the deep pink liquid to one side.

6. In a small bowl, add the measured boiling water to the marzipan and mix it with a fork to melt it slightly (this stops it going lumpy when you add it to the buttercream).

7. In a second, large bowl, use a hand-held electric whisk to mix the 450g icing sugar and the butter until pale and fluffy, then add the marzipan and beat until smooth.

Add a dash of raspberry purée and beat, then add more, depending what intensity of colour and flavour you like.

8. Spoon a large dollop of the pink icing over the first cake and spread it out evenly, then top with a layer of fresh raspberries (reserving just a few for the top). Sandwich on top the second cake and smother with the pink icing. Decorate with the last of the raspberries. While the cake tastes best on the day of baking, it will keep happily in an airtight container in a cool place for 2–3 days.

d Marzipan C n a y r r e ak aspb

e

Carefully package in a cake box and store somewhere cool for two or three days.

There is no better present to give someone on their birthday than a homemade birthday cake. The recipe below is a go-to of mine, a vision of delicate, picture-perfect pink, made with raspberries rather than food colouring so you can taste the colour. The marzipan sponge and icing are both wonderfully light and fluffy and even people who think they don’t like marzipan love this cake.

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 97

SHATTERING the

wine glass ceiling

TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WE MEET WITH FOUR MOVERS AND SHAKERS IN OUR BURGEONING LOCAL WINE SCENE

MEET OUR TRAILBLAZERS

Discover the latest trends in wine; and find out what and where in the world of wine you should be drinking and exploring this year.

For the full interview, please visit wildflowermagazine.co.uk/wine-club

Founder, Curious Vines Championing diversity and supporting women both in the industry and as collectors, Queena was recently inducted as Dame Chevalier into the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne and awarded CODE’s 100 Most Influential Women in Hospitality.

Beatrice Bessi

Head Sommelier, Chiltern Firehouse As Wine Director at one of London’s most celebrated restaurants, Beatrice is currently an Advanced Sommelier at the Court of Master Sommeliers and a candidate for the notoriously demanding Master Sommelier exam.

FUTURE WINE TRENDS? (QW) We are all far more conscious now of what we are putting into our bodies, and this has generated an interest in natural wines. Unfortunately, there have been some poorly made natural wines which have given them a bad reputation.

I see consumers starting to understand these wines and no longer accepting faults as a definition of ‘natural wine.’

People are also drinking less but better wine, a trend that is leading to more low or non-alcohol drinks.

Sarah Abbott

Director, Swirl Wine Group & Cofounder, The Old Vine Conference As one of just over 400 Masters of Wine in the world, Sarah is head judge at the annual IWSC, the world’s largest wine competition, whilst being a stalwart for heritage vineyards and emerging wine regions.

FAVOURITE UK WINE REGIONS? (QW) Oxfordshire is the furthest inland you can be in southern England and offers low humidity during the ripening season. Its rolling Chiltern Hills have steep slopes of chalk and the warm air at the head of the valley protects the vines from frost.

(SA) I have been impressed by the still wines from Essex. And Wales: I hear that there are several dynamic young producers there. English still wine is exciting, and that’s not just down to ‘climate change,’ but to years of research and improvement in viticulture, training and ambition.

Wendy Outhwaite

Co-founder, Ambriel Sparkling Wendy is a force of nature when it comes to her passion for English wines. When not tending to her award-winning wines, Wendy is a director on the board of WineGB, the national association for the English and Welsh wine industry.

(BB) I see pressure on costs pushing both the industry and customers to seek out local, or lesser-known wines.

(SA)The effect of alcohol on health and society is a powerful trend. It could be seen as a threat to wine, but I think we should engage our expertise to reconcile the concern for health with the desire for hedonism. Sustainability will become non-negotiable for wine brands, especially at the top end. Natural and organic will continue to trend, and rosé beyond the

(WO) While there is a buzz around Crouch Valley in Essex, I’m expecting new vines to be planted on the warmer soils in the south. Originally, English vineyards for sparkling wines looked for chalk soils, but there is now an appreciation for the benefits of warmer, non-chalk soils.

AND OVERSEAS? (QW) I recently had some cracking wines from the Canary Islands – the local grape varieties are unusually grown on their own pre-phylloxera roots. Tenerife also boasts the highest vineyards in Europe on the slopes of Mount Teide, an active volcano and the highest mountain in Spain.

(BB) I believe one of the most interesting regions is Sicily. Its array of wines and native grape varieties including Grillo, Nero d’Avola and Nerello Mascalese, are so exciting. A lot of established and young winemakers thrive there.

(SA) Georgia! The origin of wine, the source of 8,000 unbroken vintages, the spiritual home of orange wine, and the homeland of Saperavi, the greatest red wine you haven’t heard of (yet).

(WO) Oregon makes the most perfumed, delicious Pinot Noirs. They have a purity of fruit which is mouth-watering and you can’t help but be swept along by the joyous enthusiasm of their winemakers. curiousvines.co.uk swirlwinegroup.com ambrielsparkling.com

PRICES AND EXPERIENCES CORRECT AT TIME OF PUBLISHING, HOWEVER, MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Queena Wong

summer could develop. With wine drinkers getting older, I hope we can prove to younger consumers that wine can be a rewarding drink that is compatible with a healthy lifestyle and the environment.

Wildflower wine club

Sunshine in a glass

AS THE DAYS GROW LONGER, WE CAN’T WAIT TO EXPLORE AND ENJOY THE BOUNTY OF WINE EXPERIENCES TO SIP, SAVOUR AND STAY AT THIS YEAR. CHECK OUT THE WINE CLUB SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS ON EACH STORY

PRICES AND EXPERIENCES CORRECT AT TIME OF PUBLISHING, HOWEVER, MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PICTURE CREDIT: HUNTER VALLEY WINE & TOURISM ASSOCIATION.

SIP…

Orange wine is bold, orange wine drinkers are curious.

As we step into the spring sunshine, one of the oldest styles of wine may just be our new rosé.

Kent

Westwell Ortega Amphora 2022, £30 This small batch, skin-contact orange wine, fermented in terracotta amphora is rich in texture, complexity and flavour. Candied orange and grapefruit on the nose, the zesty palate sizzles with hints of bruised apples, apricot and orange blossom. Improving in the glass, its soft acidity and subtle tannins lend to a wellfinessed wine. westwellwines.com

Monmouthshire, Wales

Ancre Hill Estates Orange Wine 2021, £29.40 Naturally cloudy, the extended time on skins of this Chardonnay-Albariño blend shines through its bright hue and grippy palate. Aromas of nuts, orange blossom and dried apricot lead to notes of apple, lemon, canned peaches and cherries, its high acidity softened by hints of oak.

At 9.5% ABV this is perfect for a picnic. ancrehillestates.co.uk

SAVOUR & STAY… Good Wine Hunting

Ahead of the Australian grape harvest, we celebrate its oldest continuous wine region and must-visit destination, only two hours’ drive from Sydney - The Hunter Valley.

One of the most unique and challenging landscapes to grow vines, the Hunter is revolutionising how wine can be produced against all the tribulations the Aussie bush can muster, whilst showcasing wine tourism at its very best.

With more than 150 cellar doors, gastronomic experiences, and festivals to discover, it’s all about relaxing to the rhythm of the Aussie outback and enjoying its world-renowned wine. Split into several sub-regions, the Hunter Valley is compact enough to visit over a few days. The challenge with so many cellar doors is which to choose. Here’s a taster….

BROKENWOOD This five-star rated winery and cellar door is state-ofthe-art slick, offering several dining options and tasting experiences alongside its renowned wines. brokenwood.com.au MOUNT PLEASANT WINES Considered one of Australia’s greatest wine estates, Mount Pleasant is home to some of its oldest Pinot Noir vines and award-winning, aged Semillon. mountpleasantwines.com.au

VINDEN WINES The multiple award-winning winemaker here combines tradition with innovation, showcasing how the Hunter is reinventing itself from one generation to the next. vindenwines.com.au

VISIT WINECOUNTRY.COM.AU FOR MORE INFORMATION

LET US INSPIRE YOU ABOUT WINES AND THE STORIES THAT MAKE THEM SO DELICIOUSLY INTRIGUING. SIGN UP TO OUR FREE WILDFLOWER WINE CLUB NEWSLETTER AND BE THE FIRST TO RECEIVE FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS, SPECIAL OFFERS, INVITATIONS TO EVENTS AND MORE.

WILDFLOWERMAGAZINE.CO.UK/WINE-CLUB WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 99

“YOU COULDN’T ASK FOR A BETTER LOCATION IN WHICH TO BE INSPIRED BY NATURE THAN THE TAWNY’S ESTATE” HEAD CHEF ANDREW WATTS

GOURMET GETAWAY

Following the arrival of head chef Andrew Watts and his fabulous new seasonal menu, Wildflower checks in for a taste of The Tawny

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T

he Tawny, an ecochic retreat in rural Staffordshire, has been on something of a meteoric rise since opening its doors in July 2021. Named after one of its resident woodland owls, it could prove a game-changer for the county, etching this quietly beautiful part of the UK onto the luxury hotel map. Location is key to The Tawny’s appeal and the owners have ensured they maximise its natural credentials by keeping nature at its core.

Scattered throughout a 70-acre estate of woodland, lakes and gardens, the romantic treehouses, cosy shepherd’s huts and designer boathouses all feel tucked away – so much so, there are private outdoor artisan tin baths to wallow in. Activities include stargazing and bird-spotting, while recycled bikes are on hand for anyone fancying a countryside pootle. There’s a spa housed in a little thatched cottage that specialises in natural holistic treatments; an outdoor heated pool with killer views and a temperature dial set at an all-year-round 31 degrees; plus yoga mats in every room.

But it is the food that is set to catapult this relative newbie into the limelight.

Continuing on the owl theme, The Plumicorn restaurant (named after the tuft of feathers found on an owl’s head) has delivered from the off. But the recent appointment of Andrew Watts as head chef feels like the perfect pairing. Watts comes from Shropshire’s Hawkstone Hall & Gardens, where he was integral in setting a seasonal and sustainable approach, focused on creating menus inspired by fresh produce. He brings a wealth of knowledge and new ideas to The Tawny for 2023. While remaining 100% committed to keeping the hotel focused on local produce, he’s expanding the menu and adding some unexpected twists. When talking about his plans, Andrew says, “You couldn’t ask for a better location in which to be inspired by nature than the Tawny’s estate. By carefully selecting ingredients that celebrate each season, we hope that all menus at the hotel, from breakfast to dinner via afternoon tea, will reflect this.”

With the ethos of locality and seasonality at the restaurant’s heart, the

new-look homegrown menu showcases Staffordshire and the Peak District.

Andrew’s focus draws on both the hotel’s kitchen garden and the neighbouring area. Winter highlights have seen hearty additions include pigeon breast with hispi cabbage, hazelnut and blackberries; venison with maple, quince, baby turnip and pearl barley; rabbit ravioli with kohlrabi and tarragon; and a delicious Staffordshire beef with roast parsnip and smoked bacon. The Sunday roasts are nothing short of spectacular (you don’t need to be a resident to book a table) and the puddings and cheeseboards are impossible to resist. Past guests will happily find the much-loved toffee apple still on the menu (a bowl of roasted apple, cinnamon crumb and salted caramel), but now joined by the lightest lemon and honey parfait and a divine vegan chocolate amaretto option.

Alongside the restaurant’s menus, the more casual Lounge Menu, featuring wood-fired pizzas, creative tapas and a selection of charcuterie boards and flatbreads, is a great alternative for those not in the mood for a belt-loosening gastronomic feast. Private parties are catered for in an intimate spot called The Perch, and for a sweet start to 2023, there’s always afternoon tea.

Andrew has his sights set on putting The Plumicorn and the Midlands on the gourmet destination map. And if the current seasonal offerings are anything to go by, his homegrown menu looks set for success.

FROM TOP: THE PLUMICORN RESTAURANT; HEAD CHEF ANDREW WATTS; A SWEET ADDITION TO THE MENU

A one-night stay at The Tawny starts from £230 in the Wildwood Huts, based on two sharing on a bed and breakfast basis. For further information or to book, visit thetawny.co.uk WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 101

2521 Wildflower Magazine ad.indd 2

31/01/2023 11:03

MALDIVES SPECIAL | ISLAND NEWS | SPOTLIGHT ON ST TROPEZ

PRIVATE HIDEAWAY GILI LANKANFUSHI’S PRIVATE RESERVE IN THE MALDVIVES IS THE LARGEST STAND-ALONE OVERWATER VILLA IN THE WORLD, COMPRISING FIVE SEPARATE BUILDINGS OVER 1,400 SQUARE METRES. SET IN THE MIDDLE OF A SPARKLING TURQUOISE LAGOON, THIS IS THE ULTIMATE IN LUXURY, PRIVACY AND SECLUSION. SPRAWLED ACROSS MULTI-LEVEL TIERS, THIS RUSTIC-CHIC FORT IS WHERE YOU CAN LIVE OUT YOUR WILDEST DREAMS. STEP INSIDE THE EXPANSIVE VILLA AND EXPLORE ITS SOPHISTICATED OPEN-AIR INTERIORS AND AMENITIES: AN INFINITY SWIMMING POOL, SPACIOUS SUNDECKS, A COUPLE’S SPA PAVILION WITH A SAUNA AND STEAM ROOM, AN AIR-CONDITIONED GYMNASIUM, CINEMA, BAR, AND EVEN A WATER SLIDE THAT DROPS INTO THE SEA. A PRIVATE BOAT IS YOURS SO YOU CAN COME AND GO AS YOU PLEASE – MOST PEOPLE, HOWEVER, NEVER FIND AN EXCUSE TO LEAVE. GILILANKANFUSHI.COM READ – OR DREAM – ON TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE MALDIVES.

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 103

PARADISE

found

In search of sun, sea, sand and laid-back luxury, Zoë Levey heads to the Maldives for an island-hopping adventure and finds three resorts that are perfect for all the family

F

irst impressions count, and Finolhu Baa Atoll certainly doesn’t disappoint. Located in the Baa Atoll’s UNESCO world biosphere, Finolhu is famous for having the longest sandbank in the Maldives – a narrow stretch of golden sand linking the larger island with three smaller ones. In fact, the island’s name - Finolhu - means ‘sandbank’ when translated, so important is it to this island.

Visible from our seaplane, it’s the stuff of dreams and we can’t wait to land and sink our toes into the powdery sand.

Finolhu’s vibe is fun and lively. Activity centres around the poolside Beach Kitchen where threetimes daily, a vast array of cuisines is served, catering to all cultures and tastes. The buzz attracts an energetic barefoot crowd, eager to be entertained. Nightly beachside shows include Cirque de Soleil-style acrobatic acts, daring fireeaters and traditional Maldivian music from the local Boduberu Band. The Beach Bar is the place to be to enjoy these nightly spectacles, freshly made cocktail in hand. Kids are kept entertained with a giant beachside cinema that screens family favourite movies, or in the poolside gaming centre, whilst adults chill to the DJ’s latest tunes.

Alternative eateries to the Beach Kitchen allow guests to sample a variety of food. There’s the Arabian Grill with dishes packed full of Middle Eastern flavours, or Japanese restaurant Kanusan, overseen by passionate restaurant manager Milo, which serves up locally caught fish, Asian style. By day, a leisurely stroll down the famous sandbank or a short hop across the water on Finolhu’s traditional dhoni brings you to the Crab Shack, a simple rustic beachside hut serving mouthwatering lobster rolls, garlicky grilled prawns, or barbecued tuna steaks. There are cold beers or a crisp glass of wine to perfectly accompany the delicious seafood, and for the kids, thick shakes in classic flavours. There’s a laid-back atmosphere to the place which encourages shoes – and cares - to be abandoned.

But the fun doesn’t stop there, especially for younger guests. The Oceaneers’ Club is packed daily with enthusiastic youngsters taking part in a host of engaging activities, from arts and crafts, pottery and painting, to treasure hunts and beachcombing. Activities are aimed at all age groups, and there’s plenty to occupy. With a rich marine habitat, inevitably it’s the snorkelling and diving which gets thumbs up, although boat trips, kayaking and high-octane jet blade experiences are also popular. Especially enticing for the young and young-at-heart is the giant inflatable moored in the lagoon – hours of bouncy fun for all ages.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: SPA INTERIOR; BEACH DINING; FINOLHU BAA ATOLL FROM THE AIR; DISH OF THE DAY

If all this activity is a bit too hectic, sunset yoga in the open-air pavilion is the perfect way to relax, or book into the recently renovated Fehi Spa for a massage. The botanically themed space, where touches of nature and the rainforest are incorporated into Fehi Spa’s design, is an oasis of calm and a place to get away from the lively goings-on elsewhere on the island.

Finolhu’s recent multi-million-pound transformation delivers villas that are modern and luxurious, whether beach-based or overwater.

Designed by British studio Muza Lab, interiors are cool and contemporary in shades of white and gold, with accents of turquoise, mirroring the myriad colours of the ocean below. Choose from lagoon or sunset-side overwater villas, each with its own infinity pool. For those here to enjoy the island’s vibrant energy, we recommend booking the aptly named ‘Rock Star’ Ocean Pool Villa, which is perfect for fun-loving families or groups of friends.

Stay one week in an Overwater Private Pool Villa from £1,675 per person, bed and breakfast, based on two adults and two children travelling in March. finolhu.com

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 105

G

ili Lankanfushi is the original pioneer of sustainable, barefoot luxury in the Maldives.

Its appeal is immediate. The resort boasts one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives, speckled with luxurious overwater villas and dotted with hammocks seemingly miles away from shore. Gili Lankanfushi’s proximity to Malé – just 20 minutes away from the airport by speedboat – means you can maximise your time in paradise. We had been forewarned: no shoes are allowed at Gili, and no sooner had we boarded our speedboat than our shoes were whisked away from us and stowed in little cotton bags carrying Gili’s motto, ‘no news, no shoes’, to be returned only when we boarded the jetty to get on the plane home.

The island celebrated 10 years of Gili Lankanfushi in 2022, following an extensive refurbishment in 2019. The resort boasts 45 villas, including the world’s largest overwater private residence, which opened last year. The architecture is pure traditional Maldives, where sun-drenched wooden structures blend seamlessly with the land and seascape. This is entirely in keeping with Gili Lankanfushi’s outstanding credentials as an eco-resort, and reflects its passion for preserving the environment, and working in harmony with the natural world.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: AERIAL VIEW OF A ROBINSON CRUSOE RESIDENCE; TAKING TO THE WATERS AROUND GILI LANKANFUSHI; THE COOL INTERIORS OF A RESIDENCE BEDROOM COMPLETE WITH STUNNING TURQUOISE VIEWS

“our shoes were whisked away from us and stowed in little cotton bags carrying Gili’s motto – ‘no news, no shoes’, to be returned only when we boarded the jetty to get on the plane home.” zoË levey

Every villa is impressively spacious; some are accessed by private jetty while others, such as our Robinson Crusoe Residence, could only be reached by one of the resort’s ‘pontoons’ – little boats that continually criss-cross the lagoon ferrying guests to the main beach from their ocean hideaways. A tropical island fantasy, the design of the Robinson Crusoe Residences encourages you to observe aquatic life at every opportunity – glass floor panels make it impossible not to look at the turquoise ocean below, there are nets over the water from the main deck from which we try to spot manta rays and black-tipped sharks, and even a rooftop viewing platform which takes in sweeping views of the lagoon (but is also useful for a spot of stargazing).

Inevitably the lagoon provides the focus for much of Gili’s activities, including their eco initiatives.

Paddle boarding, kayaking and windsurfing all take place in the lagoon. Snorkelling and PADI diving on the vast house reef are exhilarating experiences, as is planting corals on the coral line, where turtles like to hang out. Gili Lankanfushi’s Coral Lines Project aims to rehabilitate the coral reef by planting and nursing fragments of coral on lines, enabling them to grow sufficiently to be ‘replanted’ on the degraded house reef. A pioneer of coral reef restoration, 75% of the proceeds from every coral line are donated to the Gili SEAS (Social & Environmental Awareness and Sustainability) fund.

ESCAPE

Water sports aside, there’s plenty more to do back on the island. In fact, there’s something happening all the time. Whether it’s mixers on the beach so guests can mingle, themed evenings dining under the stars, a movie screening in the jungle cinema, wine-tasting in the underground wine cellar, a workout in the fully equipped gym, a visit to the outstanding Meera Spa to indulge in a holistic treatment, or sipping a sunset cocktail in the Overwater Bar, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Meanwhile, children are kept occupied with activities such as pizzamaking with the chef, water polo in the main pool, or beachcombing and treasure hunts on the beach.

All of this is made possible by the outstanding Gili Lankanfushi team, a large yet tight-knit crew who thrive on making every guest’s experience ultraspecial. To quote my husband (paraphrasing Dolly Parton), “It takes a lot of effort to make it look this effortless.” Which is exactly why guests return to this resort time and time again, many of them requesting the same villa as before, so keen are they to recapture the magic of their experience at Gili Lankanfushi.

Nightly rates at Gili Lankanfushi start from $1,397, based on one Villa Suite with breakfast included. gili-lankanfushi.com

FROM TOP: VILLA EXTERIOR COMPLETE WITH PRIVATE POOL; AN OVERWATER SPA TREATMENT; DRINKS AT SUNSET; SNORKELLING GILI LANKANFUSHI’S VAST HOUSE REEF WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 107

S

itting on the idyllic southernmost tip of Raa Atoll, on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau is accessible by a 35-minute seaplane ride from Malé. One of the newest resorts in the Raa Atoll, InterContinental Maamunagau offers a chic, understated experience which is undeniably luxurious. As the first and only all-club InterContinental resort, guests are truly spoiled with indulgent complimentary benefits offered alongside traditional Maldivian hospitality.

The resort was completed in 2019, delivering a new contemporary island offering which feels like a smart boutique hotel. 81 beach, lagoon and overwater villas and residences are tactfully spread around the island – each one feels entirely private.

Surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, beach villas (one, two or three bedrooms plus pool) have access to their own spot on the white sandy beach, whilst the overwater villas and residences provide the perfect location to watch the spectacular sunrise or sunset, to be enjoyed from the deck or infinity pool.

AERIAL VIEW OF POOL

Interiors throughout are incredibly chic and convey a contemporary spin on traditional Maldivian design. Designed

by Avalon Collective, inspiration was taken from the ethos of ‘Musafir’, an Arabic word portraying ‘the traveller concept of wanderlust’, which is referenced by the use of vibrant textiles, local crafts and eclectic artworks. The result delivers discreet luxury, a modern Maldives at its beautiful best.

This design journey continues to the outstanding award-winning AVI Spa, which can be found at the tip of the island, just beyond Maamunagau’s iconic lighthouse.

Six beautifully designed overwater treatment villas reach out into the blue and provide guests with a blissful setting in which to relax. The AVI Spa not only offers world-class treatments but is an entire centre of wellness. Resident yogi, reiki master and wellness guru Sunitha Narayana leads guests to discover mindfulness and wellbeing - her individual consultations result in tailor-made programmes to follow when on-island, and learnings and rituals that can continue to be put into practice back at home. A

specialist in Ayurveda, Sunitha also uses crystal and sound bowl healing in her programmes and encourages guests to embrace alternative methods on their path to wellness. This year, a rotation of visiting wellness practitioners will join Sunitha. New programmes include the ‘Crystal Wellness Journey’, combining Gemstone Facials, Chakra Balancing, Reiki, Crystal Sound Healing and Crystal Foot Reflexology. This is the ultimate destination for anyone wanting to experience a wellness journey in paradise.

The island is also blessed with its enviable location in a part of the Maldives with especially rich marine life, notably manta rays. The resort leads the way for manta ray research, working with the Manta Trust and assisting them by providing researchers with a base close to manta ray communities. Guests are invited to join ‘Manta Retreats’, featuring swimming with mantas, snorkelling and research trips, turtle-finding excursions, hands-on educational workshops and learning about corals. It’s an exhilarating experience, which stays with guests long after they leave Maamunagau.

ESCAPE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: FAMILY FUN ON THE BEACH NEAR THE LIGHTHOUSE; AERIAL SHOT OF INTERCONTINENTAL MAAMUNAGAU; THE CALMING SPA; A PRIVATE RESIDENCE; DINING WITH YOUR FEET IN THE SAND

Rates start from US$952 per night in a Water Pool Villa including breakfast for two. maldives.intercontinental.com

Stylish dining is also the order of the day at Maamunagau. The Collective overlooks the multi-tiered central pool and becomes a hive of activity at sundown. The iconic Lighthouse is home to Mediterranean cuisine and offers a unique 360-degree tour of the island before dinner. The more informal option, Fish Market, offers a sea-to-table concept, where guests select their unsuspecting dinner from giant tanks, under the guidance of the chef. Café Umi plays host to teppanyaki super-chef Joel who teaches sushi-making, throws flames and entertains with his knife juggling skills. A visit to the adultsonly The Retreat is made possible by the cool kids club, and for teens, an outdoor games zone complete with table football and tennis. Overall, there’s no doubt that InterContinental Maamunagau is the modern face of the Maldives – stylish, contemporary and chic.

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 109

W

ith more than 130 island resorts (and counting), family-run tour operator Turquoise Holidays was the obvious choice to turn to for some expert Maldivian guidance.

We had three specific requests: an affordable option, a family favourite, and a luxury outpost. Turquoise comes into its own with product knowledge. Nothing is ever sold without being seen, so whether it’s questions about a spa, the best villa views, a kids’ club or where the manta rays migrate, information is not only encyclopaedic but also accurate.

Passionate about the world, travel and, above all, Turquoise destinations, the team has enthusiasm galore. What’s more, in a world of online travel, they have two actual offices (Clapham and Beaconsfield), so if location permits, clients are actively encouraged to drop in.

The Turquoise team never tires of talking travel the old-school way and, with a global portfolio, they are brimming with ideas and combinations. For travel advice, insider knowledge and peace of mind, booking through a trusted tour operator is the safe, stress-free option the way every holiday should be.

after what has felt like a long winter, 2023 sees several tropical destinations trending. This year’s top spot on the Wildflower travel list goes to the maldives

ISLAND

castaways

VELASSARU

Three island destinations to visit in 2023 and beyond Value for Money We asked Turquoise Holidays to suggest a Maldivian spot where the £s might stretch a bit further, and it was Velassaru that got the nod. Just 25 minutes by speedboat from Malé, it may be small, but it’s big on beauty. It has a cool but understated tropical vibe. Resort highlights include a vast stilted spa, delicious local menus, an overwater Chill Bar and out-of-theordinary excursions, including night snorkelling and dolphin discovery.

ESCAPE

Looking for a city stopover or a culture/beach combo? turquoise Holidays suggests twinning the maldives with sri Lanka or one of the middle eastern hubs.

offer: Seven nights from £1,899 per person, bed and breakfast, in a Deluxe Bungalow, including speedboat transfers and international flights.

Family Fun Seeing your children blown away by places or experiences (wherever in the world) is hard to beat. For families heading to the Maldives, the Turquoise 2023 vote goes to Dhigali. Out in the Raa Atoll, this easy-going island is fun and friendly. Families will love the epic array of full-throttle activities (including a PADI Dive Centre), the take-away pizza shack and the joy of all-inclusive! offer: Seven nights from £10,499 per family of four, all-inclusive, in a Beach Villa, including seaplane transfers and international flights.

luxury living The stylish Turquoise tip-off goes to COMO Maalifushi. COMO’s reputation precedes itself and its Maldivian outpost is no exception. The only resort to be found in the Thaa Atoll, this lone island is a heavenly remote corner of the Maldives.

Whites and blues rule and the house reef pops with iridescent coral. The resort sinks into the natural beauty, where tropical minimalism is at its fabulous best.

This is all about simple pleasures in a farflung world. Utter bliss! offer: Seven nights from £4,499 per person, half-board, in a Beach Suite, including seaplane transfers and international flights.

Visit

turquoiseholidays.co.uk Call 01494 678400 @turquoiseholidays Alternatively, pop into the office or book an appointment in either Beaconsfield or London.

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 111

Travelware crafted for life well-lived.

Made to last for life.

briggs-riley.co.uk

escape NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK, NEW YOU

New York based designer, Yuji Yamazaki, has worked his magic on Anantara Veli Maldives Resort.

This adult-only destination now includes a new room category that tops all others. Six beach pool villas (each measuring in at a whopping 148 square metres), have been fully renovated in traditional-meets-contemporary tropical style, using a natural palette of wood, stone and cool fabrics. With a focus on wellbeing and a new spa concept, guests can also now book a personalised wellness villa, which includes light, sound and scent therapy, Ayurvedic spa amenities, an earthing mat for meditation, a wellness minibar, a wellness consultation on arrival, daily fitness or yoga, a healthy cooking class and discounted spa treatments. anantara.com

Fly Away

Virgin Atlantic is launching a new direct route to the Maldives.

Commencing in October, the winter season’s three-times-a-week flight from London Heathrow to Malé will be operated by the airline’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft, offering travellers the chance to reach paradise in comfort and style. Return fares from £730 per person. virginatlantic.com

ATOLL UPDATE

LEARNING ON LAAMU

Preserving the unique marine environment is a key priority for the Maldives. Leading the way is Six Senses Laamu, with its new initiative, The SHELL (Sea Hub for Environmental Learning in Laamu), offering guest education and immersive marine conservation experiences. From 1 May to 30 September 2023, Turquoise Holidays is offering up to 35% off and complimentary half-board at Six Senses Laamu. Stay 7 nights in June in a Lagoon Water Villa (half-board) from £3,699pp including international flights and transfers. turquoiseholidays.co.uk

WITH A HOST OF EXCITING NEW ADDITIONS FOR 2023, THE MALDIVES IS HOTTER THAN EVER. OUR ROUND-UP IS JUST A DROP IN THE OCEAN OF WHAT’S HAPPENING ACROSS THE ISLANDS. IT’S TIME TO STOP DREAMING AND START PLANNING A TRIP TO THE TROPICS

Sympatico Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner in Plum, £549 briggs-riley.co.uk

BAGS OF STYLE

Briggs & Riley’s iconic hard-sided Sympatico case has enjoyed a sleek redesign and boasts the world’s only CX™ compression-expansion technology in hard-sided luggage. Matte finishes in black and plum minimise scuffing. The range includes four sizes of spinner luggage, a monogram patch for personalising, and a selection of covers to keep the cases looking as good as new.

FROM PRIVATE ISLAND PLOT TO PLATE

Niyama Private Islands Maldives has launched a new Chef’s Garden and dining experience with Executive Chef Luke Borg at the helm. Dedicated to sustainable fresh healthy ingredients, Niyama’s new 1600-square-metre organic Chef’s Garden provides herbs and vegetables to the resort’s restaurants and cooking classes. The Chef’s Garden offers responsibly sourced produce using fresh local ingredients that supports the community and highlights Maldivian flavours. In the garden you’ll find hot basil, sweet basil, almonds, lemongrass, aloe vera, marjoram, lettuces, tomatoes and sugar cane. This private dining experience seats up to 12 people, and takes place at sunset, surrounded by nature. Niyama Private Islands Maldives is a 40-minute seaplane flight from Malé or a 30-minute domestic flight to Dhaalu Airport, plus seven minutes in a speedboat. Nightly rates start from US$910, based on two sharing a Beach Villa, including breakfast, dinner, taxes and fees. niyama.com

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 113

VIVE LA VILLA

For luxury living with the ultimate wow factor, where better to head than St Tropez?

Zoë Levey checks into Villa La Tourelle for a touch of the high life

W

ith its beautiful beaches, luxury yachts, exclusive boutiques, and glittering nightlife, it’s no surprise that St Tropez remains one of the most bewitching destinations on the French Riviera. But the secret to St Tropez’s enduring allure is that it still looks and feels like a quaint Provençal town.

Somehow, this tiny fishing village, thrown onto the international stage in the 1950s by glamorous film stars and moviemakers, has retained its inherent charm and character despite the many tourists and millionaires who flock here each summer.

The Gulf of Saint-Tropez is a gateway to Provence, with its medieval villages, plentiful vineyards and fragrant lavender fields, and a coastline blessed with white sandy beaches and hidden coves. The region’s timeless appeal is obvious.

But St Tropez remains the main draw.

It’s easy to quickly familiarise yourself with this pretty little town. The simplest way is best – on foot. Meander through its tangle of narrow cobbled streets, filled with quaint shops and family-run traditional restaurants. Place des Lices, St Tropez’s famous central square, is a continually buzzing hub at the heart of the town, where you can see old men playing pétanque or locals enjoying a gossip over an espresso or pastis. It’s also the venue for a thriving twice-weekly farmer’s market. High up on the hill, you’ll find the Citadelle de Saint-Tropez, an ancient

defence built in 1602 – it’s worth the steep walk for the views alone. The historic fishing quarter La Ponche is the sleepier side of town, and the most picturesque.

You can access it via the under-arch fish market located on Place aux Herbes, its ocean-inspired murals and mosaics having recently been treated to a muchneeded restoration. La Ponche is home to Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, with its beautiful Italian baroque bell tower and the historic Statue du Bailli de Suffren, and offers a glimpse of St Tropez’s past, before the moviemakers and film stars arrived. As the sun goes down, the unmissable spectacle of the yachts moored in Vieux Port provides much entertainment for partygoers and voyeurs alike. Without question, St Tropez feels like a happy place.

We stayed at Villa La Tourelle, a 14thcentury former vicarage located on a quiet street within easy reach of Place des Lices and Vieux Port. Inside the grounds, the villa’s signature tower overlooks tranquil gardens, complete with palm trees and cacti, brightly coloured hibiscus and hot-pink bougainvillea. The villa’s original well has been transformed into a beautiful fountain in the central courtyard of the walled garden, splashing quietly as guests relax. The stone-lined, mirroredged pool is the perfect place for a sundowner and to meet fellow guests to catch up on stories of the day.

Inside, artworks dominate the walls, and quirky design features include a winding staircase to the top of the tower, and a wall of water which forms a striking backdrop to the dining room. The four en suite bedrooms sleep up to eight adults in supreme comfort; two have independent access from the garden and are perfect for those who relish their own space, while the master bedroom in the main building has its own hammam and dressing room. The final bedroom sits at the top of the turret offering views of St Tropez. Renovated by the renowned Tropezian architect François Vieillecroze, Villa La Tourelle is an exceptional oasis in which to retreat.

Aside from beautiful surroundings and easy access to town, Villa La Tourelle boasts private chef Gregur Baksic, one of Purple Summer’s finest cooks, who dishes up a five-star daily menu focusing on local and seasonal ingredients, including fresh fish: mounds of delicately flavoured fine de claire oysters, gambas to poach in orange and garlic, sea bass fillets for carpaccio and fat scallops for pan-frying. Other highlights include monkfish saltimbocca, courgette pappardelle in baked tomato cream, and saffron polenta with wild morel mushrooms.

Wines are handpicked by Gregur from sun-drenched vineyards just down the road. After a long day of sightseeing and people-watching, there’s nothing better than returning to Villa La Tourelle’s beautiful surroundings to sample this welcoming feast.

ESCAPE

OPPOSITE: BEAUTIFUL PALM-FILLED GARDENS SURROUNDING VILLA LA TOURELLE. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CALMING NEUTRAL TONES OF THE VILLA’S LIVING ROOM; COCKTAIL O’CLOCK; AL FRESCO DINING ON THE TERRACE; ONE OF CHEF GREGUR BAKSIC’S COLOURFUL CREATIONS; THE OUTDOOR POOL AND SHADED LOUNGE AREA

Don’t miss: • Dinner at Au Caprice des Deux, a charming authentic family-run restaurant serving French classics with an international twist, and an unbeatable wine list. Tucked away on a narrow, cobbled street, this gastronomic gem is well worth seeking out.

• Experience a guided wine tour of local vineyards, with Provençal wine experts Beyond the Wine (beyondthewine.fr).

Taste elegant wines from Château SaintMaur (chateausaintmaur.com), one of the region’s leading producers. Or visit the delightful organic vineyard at Domaine Val D’Astier (domainevaldastier.com), run by the unstoppable Bruno, who follows biodynamic principles to produce a modest collection of light wines, perfect for sun-drenched Riviera drinking.

• Take a trip to the mediaeval village of Grimaud. Known as the ‘Venice of Provence’ it has historical links to the Grimaldi family.

High in the hills, with unrivalled views of the valleys and lake below, explore the steep and narrow streets of this sleepy ancient village, with its churches, historic squares, art galleries and chic boutiques. Take respite with a homemade citron pressé or glass of Provençal rosé and a slice of the famous tarte tropézienne in one of the many pretty bars and cafes.

• Relax with a yoga session by Villa La Tourelle’s pool - expert Elodie Huertas, a St Tropez local, trained at the School of Sacred Arts in Ubud, Bali. Or indulge in a massage in the beautiful walled garden courtesy of the spa team from Les Cinq Arbres.

A seven-night stay at Villa La Tourelle in St Tropez starts from €23,680 based on eight people sharing the flexible service option.

Purple Summer is a luxury villa specialist and sister company to the highly regarded and longstanding winter specialist Purple Ski. Offering an exclusive portfolio of sensational properties across France’s Côte d’Azur and Mallorca, Purple Summer ensures each villa within the bespoke sevenproperty portfolio – sleeping from eight to 12 people – has been carefully handpicked and offers first-class facilities and a distinctive personality. purplesummer.com

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 115

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WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 117

Cross country swimming

A cross country swimmer towing her kit in a RuckRaft®

Wild swimmers on the lookout for a new challenge should give this unique form of exploring a try in 2023. “Cross country swimming has got ‘next big thing’ all over it,” says Kate Rew, founder of the Outdoor Swimming Society and author of The Outdoor Swimmers’ Handbook. For the uninitiated, cross country swimming mixes hiking and cold-water dips along a coastal route, travelling across both land and water. You could start small, perhaps spending an afternoon with your family discovering hidden coves, then progress to a multiday expedition, towing your gear with you. “Every trip, big or small, feels like an adventure,” explains Will Watt, co-founder of Above Below, which holds cross country swimming weekend retreats in Devon and The Lake District that introduce wild swimmers to the delights of surf and turf expeditions. Participants tow their kit behind them in a RuckRaft®, £164 - a specially designed floating dry bag that sits atop an inflatable raft - giving them total freedom to roam.

For more information on cross country swimming, including retreats and routes, and to buy a RuckRaft®, visit abovebelow.sc

Top health and wellness trends 2023 Words: Gabrielle Nathan

Sensehacking

Water Therapy, £85 thenueco.com

Sensehacking is defined as “using the power of the senses and sensory stimulation to help improve our social, cognitive and emotional wellbeing” by Oxford University Professor Charles Spence in his book of the same name. The gist is that by carefully considering what we see, hear, smell, touch and taste, we can make ourselves feel happier, relaxed and more

productive. “Our senses have more impact over our wellbeing than any of us realise,” says Spence, who reveals that hacking them can be done easily and inexpensively, such as listening to the sounds of nature when you go for a walk, wearing bright colours, and taking brief cold showers in the morning. Our sense of smell is perhaps the most powerful because it’s the only one directly connected to three of the most important areas of the brain.

The scent of the sea is particularly potent because our brains associate it with the benefits of being around large bodies of water, which has been proven to bring our bodies into a more relaxed state.

While a trip to the coast would be wonderful, you can experience the same sense of calm by spraying Water Therapy onto your pulse points and breathing in the stressbusting notes of sandalwood, seaweed and marine salt.

BIKE PHOTOGRAPHY BY KSHVETS-PRODUCTION AT PEXEL.COM.

Wildflower reveals the top health and wellness trends for the year ahead, including the newest way to enjoy wild swimming and the latest technique to ensure a great night’s sleep

wellness

Sleep Syncing

A good night’s sleep is still the holy grail of wellness and 2023 will see a new way of achieving it - by using smart tech to synchronise circadian routines and adjusting sleep cycles to maximise restful and restorative slumber. Sleep trackers, including wearable devices and phone-based apps, will help people monitor and optimise their sleep, while circadian eating - switching from heavy evening meals to lighter afternoon eating - will grow in popularity, according to April Preston, Global Product Director of Holland & Barrett. The brand has seen an almost 10 per cent growth in sales of their sleep and calm ranges, which include sleep supplements such as glycine and spearmint, tallying with their latest research that found two in three people have had poor quality sleep in the last six months. “There are many reasons for sleepless nights, from cost-of-living worries to streaming giants competing for our nightly schedules, so researching and implementing a personal sleep routine will be essential in 2023,” says Alex Glover, senior nutritionist at Holland & Barrett. “We’ll see a rise in the development of technologies, medicines and wellness solutions that help us to realign with our internal circadian rhythms.”

Expert Good Day 60 Capsules, £24.99 hollandandbarrett.com

Pedal power

BIKE PHOTOGRAPHY BY KSHVETS-PRODUCTION AT PEXEL.COM.

The magic of mushrooms

Tipped to be the next CBD, medicinal mushrooms will continue to wow the wellness world, backed by research that shows they can be used to effectively manage stress and anxiety, immunity, gut health, skin health and libido. Best enjoyed in powdered form in coffee (it tastes better than it sounds), medicinal powdered mushrooms can also be ‘stacked’ - blended with other adaptogens and antioxidants to enhance the benefits, which include increased focus and stamina, boosted energy levels and better sleep. “Functional mushrooms are set to be popular in 2023, with a spotlight on Lion’s Mane”, says Rachel Chatterton, head of food development at Holland & Barrett. “People are moving towards foods that multi-task – from helping to relieve stress to improving digestion, relaxation and immunity.” While Lion’s Mane is known to stimulate the growth of brain cells and can improve memory, mood and focus, Chaga mushrooms can help fortify immune systems, boost energy and encourage healthy skin and Cordyceps mushrooms are akin to a natural performance enhancer and best taken before a workout.

Mushroom powders can also be made into a tea or added to hot cacao or a shake. Experiment with the range at Dirtea. dirteaworld.com

2023 will be the year to get on your bike! Bicycle and e-bike sales hit a UK high of £1.25bn in 2021 (£400m higher than in 2019) and 21% of adults cycled at least once a week, according to research by Mintel. “Rising petrol prices, and the possibility of a protracted oil crisis as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, could help to ‘nudge’ more people from car travel towards cycling,” believes senior analyst John Worthington. Few things in life are as joyful as gliding around on two wheels but for those who could do with some lessons or indeed a bike, a new government pilot project is funding initiatives such as adult cycling classes and free bike loans, available on prescription via a GP. Don’t be discouraged by the thought of huffing and puffing (and sweating) in the saddle; electric bikes take the hard work out of pedalling uphill. But while e-bike ownership has doubled in the past two years and is set to double again in the next few years, the cost can be off-putting.

So, thank goodness for Skarper, a British start-up that has created a new e-bike conversion kit that uses a specially designed component to provide power to a regular road bike. skarper.com

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 119

Digital detoxing

1 in 5 of us has been on a digital detox and 7 in 10 of us have tried to limit our time online at some point

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARINA ZHUKOVSKAYA AT PEXEL.COM.

If you’ve vowed to step away from your screen more often this year and wean yourself off social media, you’re in good company as 1 in 5 of us has been on a digital detox and 7 in 10 of us have tried to limit our time online at some point. It’s a wise move when you consider just how much of our lives is wasted scrolling online; studies show that every time you check email, a social feed or respond to a notification, your mind requires 23 minutes to refocus on the task while jumping between tasks makes us 40% less productive - and multitasking may decrease IQ by 10 points. Make 2023 the year you curb your unhealthy screen habits by embarking on a strategic digital detox, using social-media blocking apps such as Freedom, which allows you to block distracting websites, apps and even the entire internet across a range of devices for as long as you need. Or book into an Unplugged off-grid cabin that’s been designed for digital detoxification, including a lockbox to stow your phone in during your stay. freedom.to; unplugged.rest

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARINA ZHUKOVSKAYA AT PEXEL.COM.

wellness

Women’s wellness

“with personalised solutions and femtech founders continuing to help lead the revolution on breaking down taboos around menstrual health, endometriosis, PCOS, fertility, miscarriage and more.”

It has been a long time coming but the spotlight is finally shining on women’s health. Last year, the government launched its first Women’s Health Strategy for England, female MPs and celebrities spoke out stridently about women’s health issues and tech entrepreneurs turned their attention to femtech software, diagnostics, products and services that use technology to support women’s health. This trend will continue into 2023, according to Holland & Barrett, which predicts work to highlight the menopause will continue, along with a focus on a range of specific women’s health issues, “with personalised solutions and femtech founders continuing to help lead the revolution on breaking down taboos around menstrual health, endometriosis, PCOS, fertility, miscarriage and more.” One example is Parla (myparla.com), which offers online, expert-led group programmes to help with conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and infertility, plus miscarriage, grief after pregnancy loss and menopause, providing a safe and supportive space that women can access remotely.

Based on increasing evidence on the role of gut health and probiotics in addressing premenstrual symptoms, as well as in supporting vaginal and urinary tract health, female-specific supplements have evolved. Health & Her Perimenopause Biome Food Supplement (£29.99 for 60 capsules, hollandandbarrett.com) contains hormone-balancing ingredients including a blend of live cultures, vitamins and minerals, to support wellbeing during perimenopause or menopausal transition.

Beauty companies have also made significant progress in innovating products that address specific concerns that arise at times when hormone levels can affect women’s skin. Part of the brand’s targeted range of products designed specifically to firm and smooth skin made dry and tight by changes in oestrogen levels and associated decline in collagen production, Vichy’s Neovadiol Multi-Corrective Eye & Lip Care (£28 for 25ml) combines the firming duo of Proxylane and cassia extract with depuffing caffeine, omegas 3-6-9 and niacinamide to help improve skin tone and reduce dark circles. hollandandbarrett.com; myparla.com; vichy.co.uk

Post-workout body care

By now, washing your face after exercising is second nature. Tip: The Elements Deep Pore Cleanser, £8 for 125ml, is a gym-bag essential for ridding sticky skin of impurities without stripping it of its natural oils. This year, the focus will be on post-workout body products and the tangible benefits they deliver.

GAIA Strengthening Fitness Gel, £20 for 100ml, contains ginger and black pepper to warm aching muscles and aloe, eucalyptus and spearmint to soothe weary limbs. The light gel formula also works to soften skin, making it worthy of a place in your locker. Muscles appeased, rub in the latest offering from Gatineau Paris, Defi Lift Firming & Toning Body Oil, £49 for 100ml, to leave your skin hydrated and nourished. It contains skin-firming algae that helps smooth and hydrate, plus pink pepper, which helps to boost micro-circulation to tighten skin. Or reach for Germaine de Capuccini Perfect Forms Total Fit Reducing Infused Oil, £49.50 for 200ml, an anti-cellulite wonder oil that tones and firms the whole body, leaving skin smelling divine and feeling supple. the-elements.co.uk; gaiaskincare.com; gatineau.com; germaine-de-capuccini.co.uk WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 121

Q+A Oat Milk Cream Cleanser 125ml, £7.50 qandaskin.com

RANAVAT Regenerative Veda Bond Complex Shampoo, 8oz, £50. RANAVAT Regenerative Veda Bond Complex Conditioner, 8oz, £50 ranavat.com

MANTLE The Rebound Serum 30ml, £80 hellomantle.co.uk

NEOM Perfect Night’s Sleep Magnesium Bath Milk, 300ml, £38 neomorganics.com

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Skin Proud Pods, 30 pods 0.3ml each, £14.95 iamproud.com

Rhug Estate Wild Beauty Deep Cleansing Balm with Wild Berries, 125ml, £65 rhugwildbeauty.com

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wellness Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily Bath & Shower Gel 300ml, £25 moltonbrown.co.uk

Q+A Super Greens Facial Oil, 30ml, £8 qandaskin.com

FREEPIK. BLACKBERRY ILLUSTRATION BY MACROVECTOR ON FREEPIK.

SEAWEED ILLUSTRATION DESIGNED BY PHOTOGRAPHEEASIA ON

ILLUSTRATION BY ELENA MOZHVILO ON UNSPLASH.

Aman Essential Skin Radiance Face Cream 50ml, £220 shop.aman.com

“IF YOU TRULY LOVE NATURE, YOU WILL FIND BEAUTY EVERYWHERE” LAURA INGALLS WILDER, AUTHOR

VOYA Angelicus Serratus Nourishing Body Oil with Lime & Mandarin 100ml, £40 voyaskincare.com

Bramley Uplifting Bath, Body & Shower Oil with Lemongrass, Spearmint & Coriander Essential Oils 100ml, £20 bramleyproducts.co.uk Ishga Balancing Marine Cream 50ml, £60 uk.ishga.com WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 123

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C

otswold residents looking for an exclusive place to rejuvenate body and mind while enjoying some of the finest views and organic produce their county offers would do well to join The Club by Bamford, a brand-new private members’ wellness club. Offering cuttingedge, holistic health and wellbeing practices, The Club enjoys a privileged location on Daylesford’s 3,500 acres of organic farmland thus ensuring its members are immersed in nature and nourished with farm-fresh ingredients.

“I’ve always believed that being in nature heals and feels restorative,” says The Club by Bamford founder Carole Bamford, organic farming visionary and the woman behind swanky, sustainable Daylesford Organic and Bamford brands. The club reflects her belief in the power of wellness.

“From what we eat, to how we move and how we mentally restore, it can and should be our priority… so I envisioned a place that combines the very best therapists, world class treatments, state-of-the-art gym equipment and personal trainers, with a social space that also facilitates meaningful connections.”

Bamford was also keen to ensure that the space reflected her appreciation for the land it is built on and her belief that “respecting our planet and caring for it is where wellness really starts.”

Accordingly, The Club has nature and renewable resources at the root of its design and has been sustainably created using a recyclable steel frame, natural fleece insulation and Cotswold stone, the latter ensuring its appearance is in keeping with its beautiful surroundings. The result is a truly remarkable contemporary healing sanctuary dedicated to wellness.

“The club is set within acres of greenery on Daylesford’s farm, so you’re immersed in nature and that instantly feels restorative” Carole Bamford founder of The Club by Bamford

wellness

In the CLUB

Set within the glorious Gloucestershire acres of Daylesford farm, The Club by Bamford offers members luxury, holistic wellness surrounded by nature

The Nest

The hub of The Club is The Nest, a relaxed restaurant with a seasonal menu using locally sourced ingredients, many of which are grown on Daylesford farm, evidence of the farm-to-fork approach of the club’s founder. Conceived as a place of connection, communication and exchange, it’s the perfect place to meet friends, collaborate with colleagues or work remotely.

Bramley Terrace

The informal dining and work setting extends outside to an open-air terrace from which members can “have a juice or some nourishing food while overlooking the place where it was produced,” explains Bamford.

The Spartan Gym

Inside the impressive 340-squaremetre gym, best-in-the-business experts in training, movement and rehabilitation are on hand to help members achieve their goals by creating individual programmes that use the elite-standard Technogym equipment, while the extensive views of the rolling Cotswold countryside inspire gym goers.

The Pool and The Source The ethos of sustainability is key at The Club, and this extends to the 25-metre-long indoor pool which is made entirely from recycled stainless steel and filled with water that’s heated by a biomass boiler and filtered through a system made

from recycled glass. Between laps, swimmers can gaze through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the natural beauty of the farm’s orchard.

Hidden among the trees is The Source, a space dedicated to harnessing the power of water to support strength, stamina, recovery and sleep. Here, you’ll find a sauna, steam room, therapeutic ice bath and heated outdoor plunge pool.

Science-led wellness

Alongside fitness challenges and water-based therapies, The Club will deliver restorative treatments such as cryotherapy and red light therapy, as well as doctor-led therapeutics like IV infusions and intramuscular boosters. By collaborating with leading UK medical concierge service Effect Doctors, The Club offers its members thorough body assessments designed to identify potential areas of concern so they can be addressed promptly. This proactive and preventative approach helps members optimise their health and wellbeing, helping them get the most from their membership.

The Club by Bamford opens in Spring 2023. Membership costs from £3,500 per year and £325 per month. To secure your membership, visit bamfordclub.com

WILDFLOWER | SPRING 2023 | 125

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