Polly Le Vaillant heads up Panzer’s Flower team. She was creating a customer bouquet this morning (while the customer shopped inside) so we took the opportunity to ask her a few flower-related questions. Do pop by and say hi to Polly and her team – or email her on flowers@panzers.co.uk
What makes Panzer’s Flowers different from all those flower stalls in London?
Firstly, Panzer’s Flowers is NOT a flower stall! Flanking the entrance to the store, we design and create floral creations – from small bouquets to seasonal installations for events and private functions. The floristry team adore creating both the unusual and classic – in fact, the flower team is at their happiest knee deep in leaves with grubby hands and the most beautiful daily delivery from the market.
How many years have you worked with flowers?
I have been working with flowers professionally for over 7 years. My love of all things floral and plant life was founded and imprinted as a child; spending endless school holidays helping my grandmother with floral arrangements for the many charity events she organised, she was a real ‘can do’, stoic sort who saw no boundary to her ability, I relished in the afternoons we spent potting and arranging to our hearts content.
What would be in your favourite hand-tied bouquet – and why?
Now that is a tough question, I’ll break it down into seasons to open up my scope a little! Spring: Heap and heaps of white Narcissi and White Stocks, the scent is delicious, if not sometimes a little overwhelming! Summer: An armful of Peonies and Alchemilla, my parents garden holds an abundance of Alchemilla and it reminds me of home! Autumn: At home, I fill every available surface with mottled Hydrangeas, tall Eucalyptus and any berry I can find. Winter: Roses upon roses, when exciting stock dries up, Winter is the time to fall back in love with the Rose, their tones, shape and architecture.
Best kitchen table flowers?
As a total foliage enthusiast, I adore a jug full of tonal leaves and oily Eucalyptus.
What do flowers say about someone?
Flowers are a luxury; whether gifted to yourself or a loved one, they really say you care, which is a wonderful sentiment in the busy world we all live in. I recently sent a bouquet to an old friend and she was totally overwhelmed. It had taken me 5 minutes to arrange but put a HUGE smile on a tired mummy’s face.
What do flowers in an office say?
Flowers in an office say you care about the working environment for your staff (flowers and plants make people happy, it’s a fact), that you care about creating warmth and friendliness and that despite sitting inside of 7 hours a day, there is a glimpse of nature’s best work sat right next to you.
How often should we change the water in our vases?
Changing the water every 2-3 days can substantially increase their longevity. On every water change cut a centimetre off the stems too. If you have some Brassicas, I would suggest every 1-2 days, as the water can get a little smelly! It is really important that you cut the stems when you get your flowers home too, every cut starts a new drinking cycle.
Which house plant looks stunning but can’t be killed (easily)?
Succulents and cacti are really quite fool-proof; also fig trees look brilliant and are easy to look after.
A dinner party table arrangement should make you eager to sit at the table and soak up the ambience created by beautiful flowers or plants.
Who would you LOVE to make a floral gift for?
I’m not much of a celebrity spotter, so I would absolutely love to make a floral gift for my grandmother. She passed away before I became a florist and I would adore her to see my flowers.
Do you do at home/in office consultations?
YES, absolutely! Previous to Panzer’s I ran my own studio-based florist concentrating on in-home designs, corporate contracts and events. This kind of work is where I’m most comfortable, Please do email flowers@panzers.co.uk or pop by to speak to the Flowers team.
What price do you bouquets start at?
We have bouquets ready to go on the stand from £25 and meadow style posies from £12 but can throw something together for any price. Flowers should be accessible and we are keen to work with all budgets.
Panzer’s Flowers is open Tuesday-Sunday.
