Under lockdown, the major flower auctions halted. Florists shut up shop; Brotherson herself is delivering to local postcodes only. Cut flowers have become a rarity.

Inspired by an urge to make-do and create, flower-lovers are using garden blooms and foraged stems for indoor displays. Our vases might still feature the odd long-stemmed flower it is possible to buy; tulips, stocks and narcissi are available from British growers. 

Most top-end designers continue to deliver, with a few such as Flowerbx and McQueens offering subscription services. But on the whole, unless you have a cut-flower garden on your property, you'll be appreciating the few blooms you do have even more than usual.

So how should one make the most of these treasured specimens? Here, London’s very best floral designers offer their expert advice:

"One of our favourite tricks is to think upside down," says Richard Eagleton, CEO of McQueens flowers, "Fill any type of container with a variety of foliage from your garden or designated foraging space and wrap the container in a brightly coloured, flowery scarf. Voila! A stunning upside down arrangement for when flowers are hard to find."

Read the full article here.