British flower farmers are gaining ground against the imported flower industry, with domestic growers expanding their market share as the government grants the sector official recognition. More than 80% of cut flowers bought in the UK are imported, but recent figures show a shift toward hyperlocal, seasonal, and eco-friendly blooms.
Chloë Dunnett, founder of Sitopia Farm in London, reported a 65% increase in flower sales this year. “The public and florists are looking for flowers that are seasonal, environmentally friendly and hyperlocal,” she said. The Flowers from the Farm trade body recorded a 55% rise in production in 2025, averaging 32,500 stems per member, with revenues up 12%.
The government has awarded dedicated standard industrial classification (SIC) codes to Flowers from the Farm, enabling measurement and support for the sector. Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Dyke, who backed the push, said: “These businesses create jobs, drive local growth, enhance biodiversity and support sustainable land use.”
Imported flower values fell 8.2% over five years to 2024, according to Defra. Cissy Bullock of Wild Stems in Cambridgeshire noted that most imports are “factory-farmed” with opaque supply chains, while local flowers offer greater transparency. The Church of England’s General Synod in February encouraged churches to use locally sourced foliage.
Lucy Copeman of Howbury Farm Flowers near Bedford saw turnover rise 40% in 2025. “British flowers are fashionable, but definitely not just a fleeting trend,” she said. Floral designer Shane Connolly, an MBE recipient and royal warrant holder, observed a shift in client taste toward natural, seasonal arrangements. He used all British flowers for the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, saying: “Not knowing what’s coming leads to the joy of creating something unexpected.”
