At the Flower Company we are florists with dual passions; flowers and the city of Leicester, and we want to share those passions with you! Below you will find a brief history of the city and the flowers that inspire us.
With a history dating back at least two millennia, Leicester is one of the oldest cities in Britain. When the Romans arrived in 1AD they found an Iron Age settlement which appears to have developed in the second and first centuries BC. The settlement was on the River Soar, a tributary of the Trent, and this is the site of modern-day Leicester. The city has a population of over 300,000, making it amongst the largest cities in the UK, and the county of Leicestershire has a population of around 650,000.
There is a long and varied history in the area, being mentioned in the Domesday Book, and it was a key Parliamentarian (or ‘Roundhead’) stronghold during the English Civil War. Recently, the remains of Richard III, who was the last of the Plantagenet kings, were found nearby and have been interred in Leicester Cathedral. The city was also a key player in the Industrial Revolution and the Grand Union Canal, constructed in the 1790’s, created a link to London, allowing for swifter passage of the hosiery, textiles and footwear which were the major industrial employers in the region.
The city and county do not only have an industrial history however, Leicester is surrounded by farms, meadows, and wetlands. This has led to many of the local population being keen amateur botanists and florists. There are a multitude of flowers in the area which makes it a spectacular place to visit, with flowers in bloom and lush farmland attracting a plethora of local fauna.
The University of Leicester Botanic Gardens and Attenborough Arboretum are an ideal place for flower lovers and budding florists to come for inspiration or to hone their skills. They are set in 16 acres of cultivated gardens and greenhouses displaying a variety of environments. In addition to the arboretum there are rock gardens, herb gardens and a water garden. As it is fundamentally an academic institution, focusing on global biodiversity, the site provides visitors with the opportunity learn about plants and flowers from around the globe, and their importance in a rapidly changing world.
Never fear, as it is not all about academia! There are over 130 parks in the area and each offering something different. Many of these parks are Green Flag Award winners. Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife trust also manages 35 nature reserves which cover over 1,200 hectares of beautiful and diverse habitats, from meadows to woodland, heaths to wetlands. These nationally important sites are home to many rare wildlife species, including numerous flowers. Birstall meadows are a particular favourite, located on the banks of the River Soar this is a flower-rich damp grassland which provide grazing for cattle and wildfowl alike.
It does not stop there! Leicester is a market town and is home to the largest covered market in Europe. Here one can find everything from locally produced fruit and vegetables, second-hand books and jewellery, to locally grown flowers. The area is truly a dream for florists and a constant inspiration to professionals, artisans and amateurs alike. Any flower, for any occasions can be found, and is grown here and the local scenery can be breath-taking.
We hope this short outline of the city has helped inspire you to find the right flower, whatever the occasion. As passionate, local florists, we can provide bouquets and flower arrangements to any specifications requested and are always ready to cover your flower delivery needs.