Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Studio Visit: Glasshouse Flowers with India Hurst of Vervain

Search

Studio Visit: Glasshouse Flowers with India Hurst of Vervain

January 18, 2016

After a childhood living on her parents’ plant nursery in England’s West Midlands, florist India Hurst of Vervain Flowers says it’s probably inevitable that she grew up to become a florist. A fourth-generation horticulturalist (her great-grandfather began building wood-framed greenhouses in 1921), Hurst grows and arranges her flowers in studio space carved out of what she describes as her family’s picturesque “tumbling old glasshouses.”

After photographer India Hobson recently visited Hurst, we stumbled across the story via The Garden Edit. Let’s take around Hurst’s charming winter garden:

Photography by India Hobson via The Garden Edit.

VERVAINHERO

Above: “These tumbling old glasshouses and splitting poly tunnels have been home to my parent’s award winning plants for nearly 40 years,” says Hurst.

vervain-florist-uk-greenhouse-gardenista-8-770x513

Above: “I swore I would never follow my parents’ career after spending my childhood at plant fairs and flower shows moaning about long days surrounded by plants and compost,” says Hurst. “However, I have turned full circle.”

vervain-nursery-cold-frames-gardenista

Above: When Hurst launched Vervain, she began in 2014 to grow local British flowers.

vervain-nursery-corrugated-metal-gardenista

Above: Whimsical garden ornaments include a bird cage turned into a plant cage.

vervain-nursery-detail-shot-garenista

Above: Hurst’s family business is Alton Greenhouses. (We’ll be profiling the company’s product line later this week.)

vervain-nursery-greenhouse-plants-gardenista

Above: Some of the British flowers that Hurst grows include strawflower, larkspur, yarrow,  scabious, nigella, phlox, and snapdragons.

vervain-nursery-hoophouse-frame-gardenista

Above: Black growers’ cloth prevents weeds and absorbs sunlight to warm the soil.


vervain-nursery-india-hurst-gardenista

Above: Adjacent are the glasshouses are garden beds with seasonal flowers.


vervain-nursery-irrigation-hose-gardenista

Above: A low-tech irrigation system includes garden hoses.

vervain-nursery-peonies-scabiosa-gardenista

Above: A bouquet of blowsy white peonies.

vervain-nursery-raindrops-detail-gardenista

Above: Translucent poly tunnels protect delicate seedlings from wind, rain, and cold temperatures.

vervain-nursery-petals-brick-floor-gardenista

Above: In the florist’s studio: stems and seeds.


(Visited 312 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0