Gardens are the greatest source of inspiration to us in our work as flower arrangers and growers. Seeing how natural materials converge, how plants are grown together, witnessing their shapes, colours and textures - these are fuel for so many creative ideas and revelations in our studio.

ON THE STREET | TOKYO

Late March in Japan. It seems a long time ago now but this week - being the week of Chelsea Flower Show -seemed a fitting time to finally share a few of the garden photographs Jess took on our trip earlier in the spring. We had wanted to visit Japan for a long time having developed a recent interest in Ikebana, a love of Japanese ceramics and an interior designer mother who has always been inspired by Japanese aesthetics and minimalism. We particularly wanted to visit some temple gardens while we were there (we stayed first in Tokyo, then Kyoto) but what we hadn’t expected were all the millions of beautifully curated mini-gardens outside every home, apartment building and shop - acers and bamboo and bonsai, of course, but also lots of photinia and nandina, ferns, pine and camellia. And so this collection of photographs holds many ‘roadside’ moments as well as Zen temples. In a week we barely scratched the surface but we completely fell in love with Japan and will be going back as soon as we can (perhaps to witness the leaves turning in autumn which must be a magical sight). At home in London I’ve grown even fonder of the Japanese maple in my little courtyard garden, which is branching out at an alarming rate, casting its leafy shadow-shade over the Acanthus and grey pebbles below. Every time I wake up and look out of the window I am back in Japan, wandering this strange and beautiful land.