Here at BloomLocal florists we are passionate about flowers and the city we call home. With that in mind we thought we would share some of the varied history of Scotland’s largest city and the flowers that inspire us.
Glasgow has been synonymous with nature since its founding by St. Mungo in the 6th century, what else would you expect from a city known affectionately as ‘the dear green place’? These affections are not misplaced, as Glasgow is home to around 90 parks and green spaces. As a result of this association with nature, Glasgow has more than its fair share of horticulturalists, not to mention florists. Kelvingrove Park in the leafy West End of the city is by far the most famous of Glasgow’s parks, due to its proximity the University of Glasgow and the presence of the world renowned Kelvingrove Art Gallery, which is home to numerous priceless works of art including Salvador Dali’s Christ of Saint John of the Cross. In keeping with Glaswegians love of the natural world it was also home to a 21.3m cast of a Diplodocus known as ‘Dippy the Dinosaur’ until 2019.
However, the most impressive park in Glasgow for budding florists and flower lovers alike is undoubtedly the Botanical Gardens, which are also located in the city’s West End. The gardens were established in 1817 by the renowned botanist Thomas Hopkirk, with a nucleus of 3000 plant and flower species. Numerous other famous botanists, including William Jackson Hooker, who was appointed the professor of Botany at the nearby University in 1821, have taken up the task of continuing the city’s fascination with flowers and have added their own passions, persistence and patience in extending the collections. It was on his recommendation that David Douglas, with whom he shared numerous botanical trips to the Highlands in search of rare and beautiful local fauna, was appointed by the Royal Horticultural Society as an explorer. This proved to be a masterstroke as in 1826 he sent back seeds of the Peudotsuga menziesii-the Douglas Fir. The gardens have grown to accommodate Glaswegians, and tourist’s, love of nature and now cover an impressive 27 acres of plants and Victorian glasshouses
That is not to say that these are the only places to find serenity, beauty and tranquillity in the city, and no matter where you are you are never far from nature in Glasgow. There are over 30 allotments within the city, abuzz with keen amateur botanists and florists (not to mention the pollinators), helping to ensure Glasgow is worthy of the moniker ‘the dear green place’. This means the city is awash with artisanal florists, who can create any bouquet of flowers, or flower designs that can be imagined. It also ensures that wherever you are in the city you are never far from a beautiful arrangement of flowers, and the wonderful aroma that brings.
More recently Glasgow has built on its reputation as an oasis of greenery in an industrial world by having the most successful of five National garden festivals in 1988, which attracted over 4 million visitors to the city over 152 days. This, in turn, led to Glasgow being named European City of Culture in 1990. Together these events raised Glasgow’s national and international reputation, resulting in more people enjoying the beauty of ‘the dear green place’. To build on these successes Glasgow now provides many nationally recognised courses in both Horticulture and Floristry, most notably at Glasgow Clyde College which is affiliated with both the BritishFloristAssociation.org and the Institute of Professional florists. Remembering our past is essential in ensuring our future, and the future of Glasgow's natural spaces and flower lovers is secure.
We are confident we have the flower, or bouquet, for you and can provide our artisanal expertise for any occasion.
Here at BloomLocal florists we are passionate about flowers and the city we call home. With that in mind we thought we would share some of the varied history of Scotland’s largest city and the flowers that inspire us.
Glasgow has been synonymous with nature since its founding by St. Mungo in the 6th century, what else would you expect from a city known affectionately as ‘the dear green place’? These affections are not misplaced, as Glasgow is home to around 90 parks and green spaces. As a result of this association with nature, Glasgow has more than its fair share of horticulturalists, not to mention florists. Kelvingrove Park in the leafy West End of the city is by far the most famous of Glasgow’s parks, due to its proximity the University of Glasgow and the presence of the world renowned Kelvingrove Art Gallery, which is home to numerous priceless works of art including Salvador Dali’s Christ of Saint John of the Cross. In keeping with Glaswegians love of the natural world it was also home to a 21.3m cast of a Diplodocus known as ‘Dippy the Dinosaur’ until 2019.
However, the most impressive park in Glasgow for budding florists and flower lovers alike is undoubtedly the Botanical Gardens, which are also located in the city’s West End. The gardens were established in 1817 by the renowned botanist Thomas Hopkirk, with a nucleus of 3000 plant and flower species. Numerous other famous botanists, including William Jackson Hooker, who was appointed the professor of Botany at the nearby University in 1821, have taken up the task of continuing the city’s fascination with flowers and have added their own passions, persistence and patience in extending the collections. It was on his recommendation that David Douglas, with whom he shared numerous botanical trips to the Highlands in search of rare and beautiful local fauna, was appointed by the Royal Horticultural Society as an explorer. This proved to be a masterstroke as in 1826 he sent back seeds of the Peudotsuga menziesii-the Douglas Fir. The gardens have grown to accommodate Glaswegians, and tourist’s, love of nature and now cover an impressive 27 acres of plants and Victorian glasshouses
That is not to say that these are the only places to find serenity, beauty and tranquillity in the city, and no matter where you are you are never far from nature in Glasgow. There are over 30 allotments within the city, abuzz with keen amateur botanists and florists (not to mention the pollinators), helping to ensure Glasgow is worthy of the moniker ‘the dear green place’. This means the city is awash with artisanal florists, who can create any bouquet of flowers, or flower designs that can be imagined. It also ensures that wherever you are in the city you are never far from a beautiful arrangement of flowers, and the wonderful aroma that brings.
More recently Glasgow has built on its reputation as an oasis of greenery in an industrial world by having the most successful of five National garden festivals in 1988, which attracted over 4 million visitors to the city over 152 days. This, in turn, led to Glasgow being named European City of Culture in 1990. Together these events raised Glasgow’s national and international reputation, resulting in more people enjoying the beauty of ‘the dear green place’. To build on these successes Glasgow now provides many nationally recognised courses in both Horticulture and Floristry, most notably at Glasgow Clyde College which is affiliated with both the BritishFloristAssociation.org and the Institute of Professional florists. Remembering our past is essential in ensuring our future, and the future of Glasgow's natural spaces and flower lovers is secure.
We are confident we have the flower, or bouquet, for you and can provide our artisanal expertise for any occasion.
