Autumn is all around us, everywhere we turn the colours are changing into beautiful warm tones from soft ochre yellows through to deep rusts. The trees are changing and preparing for the coming winter months and with it they are casting off their leaves which rain down on windy days, creating a vibrant rustling carpet of colour underfoot. For us, as florists, this brings in a bounty of seasonal beauties to create with. Whilst autumn can be a beautiful time of year, it also comes with shorter daylight hours and colder crisper evenings and mornings. This can be a difficult adjustment, especially after we have had such a warm summer. Here at L&B we are looking at how we can create a little coziness at home and bring nature in so we can embrace the season and help make the change as joyful as possible as we switch to spending more time indoors. For this we have drawn inspiration from the Danish and Scandinavian tradition of Hygge (pronounced hyoo-guh). This is all about coziness and how to bring light, well-being and joy into our lives during the autumn and winter months and who doesn’t love an excuse to dig out your comfiest clothes, put on your favourite TV shows, cook some classic winter warmer food and put on a lovely fire or some atmospheric candle light. Sometimes doing just small things to look after ourselves and each other can make a world of difference and help improve our wellbeing over these wintery months. For example giving yourself some time out to curl up under a blanket to read that book you have wanted to read for ages, having a warm bubble bath, bringing nature into your home with plants and flowers, burning scented candles, playing some relaxing music can all help to make the day to day that bit more enjoyable and home feel warm and inviting.

Looking after your plants…. We are often asked how to look after plants so here are our top tips: Choose the right plant for the right place. Make a note of their specific needs, read the label or invest in a good house plant book. Don’t over water - too much and you’re in danger of rotting your plant. Keep lightly moist and avoid drying out. Occasional misting of the foliage will benefit most indoor plants. Most plants do not thrive in direct sun light, but need medium, indirect light. Not too hot, away from any direct heat. At the shop we keep a consistent temp of 15 degrees, which keep the plants and flowers happy. You might want to be a few degrees warmer than that! Repot your plants when the soil is drying out faster than usual. If roots are growing through the drainage hole or the roots are wrapped tightly in the pot, they need more space. Ideally Spring is the best time repot. We use and stock a coir compost called For Peat’s Sake. The fibre structure and quality of this compost is superb at retaining both water and vital nutrients. Always use a peat free compost! Feed your houseplants. They do require a steady supply of nutrients to flourish. Liquid fertilisers are diluted in water and applied with a watering can. Most houseplants grow in Spring and Summer, so this is the best time to feed. Winter, less or no feed will be required. All these tips will make your good plant into a great plant and give you lots of pleasure. Recommendations… We stock a wide variety of plant sizes to help you bring life to the smallest or largest of spaces. One of our most popular plants has been Alocasia zebrina, known as elephant’s ear. Zebra -marked stems are topped by elegant arrowhead leaves. A strikingly handsome plant. Another favourite is Strelitzia nicolai - Bird of Paradise, with its tall stem and wide paddle shaped leaves makes it a stunning architectural plant. Other favourites include Philodendron, a fast grower with heart shaped leaves that are prettily marked. It can be grown as a trailer or climber. Ficus is an easy growing classic with broad, glossy leaves and will put up with relatively low light. Leaf & Blossom… When you come into our shop not only are you greeted by the wonderful scent of flowers but a jungle of house plants too! House plants were big sellers when the shop first opened in 1977 and the recent resurgence in house plants is great to see. People of all ages are enjoying the benefits of plants in their homes and offices. Research indicates that house plants can affect the way we feel, helping to promote wellbeing, reducing stress levels and cleaning our air. Thanks to our plants, you’ll find the L&B team are all very calm! We’d love to see you in our shop at Formal House, 60 St George's Place, Cheltenham. We have regular plant deliveries so our stock is ever changing. Here at Leaf & Blossom we love everything green!