In July, Nottinghamshire Environmental Association’s outdoor visit took place on the first wet day for many months, with torrential rain throughout the day. Despite the weather, the visit to Floral Media in Caunton, near Newark, proved to be an enjoyable experience for all 29 members and one non-member in attendance. Upon arrival, the group was welcomed with coffee and biscuits. The owners of Floral Media, Paula and Steven Routledge, shared the story of their horticultural business.
The business originated from Steven’s family farm, through a garden centre in Jacksdale, Derbyshire, to its current location in Caunton, which they moved to 25 years ago. After running a busy garden centre with 25 staff, Paula and Steven opted for a quieter environment. Paula retrained as a florist, and they began growing cut flowers to supply florists and individuals who made flower displays for events, including weddings.
Their Caunton location, however, posed a challenge with its heavy clay soil, which lacked nutrients and had no worms due to overuse. Over time, and with the addition of large quantities of organic material, they have successfully transformed the soil. They also adopted a no-dig approach, which, while uncommon at the time, is now a popular practice. They now grow over 200 varieties of flowers, all of which they sell or use. Following the talk, the group toured the site, visiting various areas from small display gardens to the ‘Field of Dreams’, where the main flowers are grown. The main living room of the house was a plant room, filled with both large and small plants. Paula, a Royal Horticultural Society judge at events such as the Chelsea Flower Show, explained her expertise in making the room visually striking. She also shared that her dedication to local community groups and her judging work led to her being awarded a BEM.
Steven discussed the history of their 17th-century house, which was originally a willow cutter’s cottage. He explained that the garden room used to be a drying room for cut willow and that school logbooks from the area recorded pupil absences due to willow cutting or harvest work. He also highlighted their water supply, drawn from a natural aquifer just outside their front door, which provides a constant temperature ideal for watering sensitive flowers.
After the tour, the group was treated to a flower arranging demonstration by Paula. She shared her techniques, including how she prepares flowers for sale, with the flowers picked the evening before and placed in water, then chilled overnight. The bouquet created during the demonstration was raffled, raising £88 for Cancer Research UK, which Paula kindly donated. A two-course buffet lunch, prepared by Steven, followed the demonstration. Before leaving, some members made purchases from the on-site shop. Floral Media is not generally open to the public but can be booked for group visits like this one, with details available on their website.
Despite the weather, the visit to this unique and friendly venue was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The National Trust’s Benningborough Hall will be the destination for the September visit. As visits are booked three months in advance, interested individuals should contact the association ahead of deadlines.
The full 2025 programme of talks and visits is available from the contacts below:
- Paul Willcock (Chairman and Secretary) – paul@paulwillcock.com or call / text 07581 531595
- Adrian Blackburn (Vice-Chairman and Treasurer) – adrian.blackburn@sky.com or call / text 07718 766873
New members are always welcome to join – the group is friendly and open to all.