Norfolk Florist Fights Heatwave to Deliver Wedding Blooms

As of 2025-08-28T06:23:46+00:00, a Norfolk-based florist, Louisa Butcher of Brunstead Blooms, is struggling to meet the demand for wedding flowers due to the hot weather this summer. Butcher explains that the warmth has caused "everything just racing to seed", with some plants becoming stressed and not flowering for very long. However, other plants, especially over-wintered perennials, have seen "bumper crops" and developed good roots.

Last year, the East Coast experienced a very grey and chilly summer, making it a "tricky" time for Butcher. This year's heatwave has presented a new set of challenges, but Butcher says the county is fortunate to have a network of "super growers" who can help fill any gaps in supply.

To cope with the dry conditions, Butcher has been able to harvest around 25,000 liters of rainwater per year, which she says "puts a real dent into having to pay for water". Mulching the soil has also been key to locking in moisture. However, Butcher notes that it is still more expensive to grow plants this year, as they require more water and additional staff to water them.

Despite the challenges, Butcher remains optimistic about the upcoming late summer weddings, as flowers like dahlias, statice, and cosmos are now ready. She emphasizes the importance of understanding seasonality and being prepared for the "tricky" times of year when certain flowers may be harder to come by.