In Bloom: Growing, Harvesting, and Arranging Homegrown Flowers All Year Round (CompanionHouse Books) Create a Perfect Garden of Color, Texture, & Shape with Annuals, Perennials, Shrubs, Trees, & More

I purchased this book after I read Floret Flower's feature on their blog, and I am glad I did. It's a fabulous book. SO many gorgeous pictures throughout the book that draw you in and make you want to live an enchanting flower-filled life. But it's more than stunning photography, there is a wealth of information on growing flowers. I especially appreciated the information covering the planning phase, because I struggle wrapping my head around planning everything all out.The first 50 pages cover basic topics like what makes a good cut flower, how to think about flowers as ingredients for bouquets, how to think and plan for all seasons, and tips for how to plan it all out. There is an amazing chart on page 40-41 of annuals, biennials, bulbs, perennials, shrubs, and trees what season they bloom in (early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer, early autumn, mid autumn, late autumn) then what type of bouquet ingredient it is (hero, supporting act, filler, foliage, sidekick) SO helpful for planning. Then the next 150 pages go in depth on many varieties of annuals, bulbs, perennials, foliage etc. Each spotlight gives a bit of information on each flower, spacing, pinching recommendations, when to harvest, how to give the flower the longest vase life, recommended varieties, and of course gorgeous photos. The last 50 pages of the book cover flower arranging, which to be honest I haven't delved into enough to report on, but it looks very good.Before I bought the book I was worried about the fact that Clare Nolan is located in the UK and I live in zone 8b of Texas. I didn't need to worry, 99% the information is still useful. There are a few types of flowers that aren't the easiest to grow here (Dahlias and Tulips I'm looking at you!) But honestly, most books have climate differences such as Erin Benzakein (Floret's Cut Flower Garden) being located in Washington or Lisa Ziegler (Cool Flowers) being located in Virginia and are still extremely useful books. You do need to know what type of flowers grow best in your area and when to plant them, so you might want to supplement this book with a regional book or website.My second worry I had before I bought this book was the fact that I own MANY flower books and I was worried this book wouldn't offer anything new. First, let me tell you, even if all the information was repetitive, the photos in this book make it worth the $ and space on your shelf. Second, I found PLENTY of new information and tips, it's one of my go-to reference books. To give you an idea, my favorite bits I found useful: page 37 illustrations on how to grow spring, summer, and autumn crops in the same plot, pages 42-42 overview of the flower grower's year, Flower spotlights for which flowers are cut and come again types, and which ones are one and done, which flowers need searing after cutting, and page 229 recipe to make your own flower food.My only regret is that I bought this book as a softcover and not hardback. I love this book so much that I will probably buy the hardback and gift a friend my softcover version.

This book is filled with absolutely stunning photography on top of essential and ingenious knowledge of growing favorite and lesser known varieties of cut flowers. Every time I open it I learn something knew, even though I’ve read it multiple times. There is also information on arranging. If I had to choose one book on flowers, it would be this one.

Beautifully wrapped and condition was as promised!

Completely love this book! This will be my “go-to”cut flower book. It’s so thorough, easy to digest and gave a newbie like me confidence to push forward with my desire for a cut flower garden. The authors tips and trick will come in handy I’m sure. This book also has thick sturdy pages with beautiful pictures and details.

I got this book after reading Floret’s Cut Flower Garden. It’s a great companion and it’s a great standalone. The photography is great, and she adds lots of helpful tips on growing specific varieties and propagating them. She also gave lots of helpful information on arranging flowers. The only thing I didn’t love was that the cover is shiny and not matte, so it looks kind of weird as a coffee table book, though I did get the paperback so maybe the hardback is different.

This book arrived about the same time as The Floret Farm Book which we all know is fantastic. That said I thoroughly enjoyed Clare Nolan's approach to all things flowers, especially as she approaches things form an English viewpoint which I relate to as a New Zealander.I have read the book and had post-it-notes all through it to go back to review various ideas, staging looks and floral ideas. This book would make a lovely gift.I would certainly buy it again!

As an experienced but somewhat new flower farmer, I purchased this book to learn how to become better at growing, harvesting and arranging my homegrown flowers! This book is by far the most comprehensive book that I have found. It is beautifully written and designed. The text and photos make it an excellent book for all. Clare's book is my new favorite! I know it will transform my flower business! I absolutely love it!Flowers to Bless

I bought this book for my wife, who loves growing flowers. She loves this book.It was sent from England and took a little while to arrive. But it did arrive earlier than scheduled, so I am very happy about that.It is worth the wait if you are into flower gardening

This is such a beautiful book and there is something in it for all, gardeners and non-gardeners alike. I am not into cut-flowers much, but looking at one's garden through the lens of a flower grower and arranger provides a whole new perspective.The author carefully lays out what flowers are the most attractive and suitable for cutting, and why, and then methodically goes through the whole process from selecting seeds or plants, preparing beds, cultivating and cutting the flowers and finally arranging them.The book is choc-full of fabulous photos and every gardener would be pleased to have this book for serious reading or as an attractive photo book on the coffee table. That’s my Christmas shopping sorted, and it’s only May!

I don't normally leave reviews but I think this book is so great that I wanted to take the time. I enjoy gardening (in a fairly amateur, light touch way), and I love flowers in the house, but have never grown my own flowers for cutting. I'm now planning to take on a large allotment next year, and decided to allocate some space to growing cut flowers, but I didn't really have any idea where to start so I got this book. Anyway, it's perfect - firstly, it's really inspirational, with amazing photos of flower arrangements, all of which I now want to recreate. Secondly, it's packed full of really helpful information - planting plans, photos of lots of varieties of all the different flowers so you can buy the ones you like, and sections on how to condition and arrange your cut flowers, and lots more. Thirdly, it's written in a really friendly and easy to read way, I really liked her 'voice'. (The current 'top critical review' says the book is 'dull and impersonal', which I can't understand at all!). I've already learned a lot from this book and it's helped me with my planning, and I expect I'll use it a lot more for actually growing the things.

Whether you're a seasoned grower and gardener or a beginner this book is a must.I fell in love with it as soon as I opened it .The author obviously is passionate about flowers and this book will not be collecting dust on my shelf but one that I will turn to for inspiration and to share the passion of flower growing.

The perfect Coffee Table Book for everyone, from expert florists, to those who dream of owning a beautiful garden like Clare's (me basically), this book is full of gorgeous imagery, stunning floral designs, alongside some really handy hints, even if it's just trying out basic flower growing, it's just gorgeous. Clearly a lot of hard work and original photography was taken in her own garden, so a classic for future floralists for sure

I love this book, it’s colourful, informative & my go to resource for planning my new flower garden. And as a complete beginner it’s helped me more than other books I have bought.