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Flowers & Folklore

Flowers & Folklore

By: Sarah Rushbrooke & Keeley Rees
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Summary

 Have you ever wondered why you shouldn't bring snowdrops into your home? Or what happens when you hear bluebells rings? This podcast is for you. Regular episodes from florists, Sarah Rushbrooke and Keeley Rees. Listen for floral lore and unusual flower facts.

flowersandfolklore.substack.comKeeley Rees Art
Episodes
  • Bluebell

    Bluebell
    Apr 29 2026
    This was the episode to start it all. Until it wasn’t. Originally recorded (and then discarded) not once, but twice by Sarah when she was first beginning her podcasting journey, today, 4 years on this episode makes it to the airwaves. But, dear listener, it’s worth the wait. Ah, the little bluebell. A flower tied to ancient woodlands, fairy folk and warnings not to stray from the path ahead. In this episode we explore why bluebells have captured imaginations for centuries and take a few detours on the way. Because, hey, it’s us. Enjoy the episode.PS look out if you hear them ring!Books & Poetry* Discovering the Folklore of Plants by Margaret Baker* The Brief Life of Flowers by Fiona Stafford * The Language of Flowers by Margaret Pixton * Hedgerow Apothecary by Christine Iverson* Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs* The Traditional Games of England, Ireland and Scotland by Alice Gomme* Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life by Marta McDowell* Flower Fairies of the Spring by Cicely Mary Barker* The Fairy Caravan by Beatrix Potter* The Bluebell by Anne Bronté* To a Bluebell by Emily BrontéArtworks* The Bluebell Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker* Helen Allingham Bluebell paintings* Lucy Loveheart Also mentioned* Cymbeline by William Shakespeare * Countryside the podcast episode about Beatrix Potter by two walkers in Cumbria * Village of Death the podcast episode about Eyam plague village in Derbyshire * The Bluebell Railway* The Fairyland TrustFlowers & Folklore on InstagramWe’d love to hear from you!Have your own floral stories or lore about violets? We’re accepting reader submissions, so if you have a flower story, (about any flower) please share it with us! Leave us a voice note on our website flowersandfoklorepodcast.com, comment below or email us at flowersandfolklorepodcast@gmail.comEnjoy the episode!Sarah & KeeleyFind Sarah online: Instagram | Substack | PinterestFind Keeley online: Instagram | SubstackMore info and transcript on Flowers & Folklore you must access this via your desktop and not your phone. Get full access to Flowers & Folklore at flowersandfolklore.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Violet

    Violet
    Feb 28 2026

    Hello! Keeley takes us down lots of fragrant and delicious rabbit holes all about the violet. This small but mighty flower has deep roots in the floristry world, as well as being the OG red rose (it’ll make sense once you listen!) And yes, this gave Keeley another opportunity to complain about roses.

    We take a trip down memory lane with films and books, take a quick stop at the Tate to admire some art and look up recipes for violet pudding.

    Books

    * The Hedgerow Apothecary by Christine Iverson

    * Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants, and Trees by Ernst and Johanna Lehner

    * Floriography by Jessica Roux

    * Discovering the Folklore of Plants by Margaret Baker

    * Flowers and Their Meanings by Karen Azoulay

    Artwork

    * Lady with a Bowl of Violets by Lila Cabot Perry (1910) at the National Museum of Women in the Arts

    * A Bouquet of Violets by Édouard Manet (1872)

    * Ophelia by John Everett Millais (1851-52) at the Tate

    Head to our Instagram for visuals.

    Also mentioned

    * Betty May @bettymaywrote - features the character Violet the mouse in the Wildwood series

    * The article by Felicity Hall from historyworkshop.org.uk about flower girls

    Flowers & Folklore on Instagram

    We’d love to hear from you!

    Have your own floral stories or lore about violets? We’re accepting reader submissions, so if you have a flower story, (about any flower) please share it with us! Comment below or email us at flowersandfolklorepodcast@gmail.com

    Enjoy the episode!

    Sarah & Keeley

    Find Sarah online: Instagram | Substack | Pinterest

    Find Keeley online: Instagram | Substack

    More info and transcript on Flowers & Folklore you must access this via your desktop and not your phone.

    P.S. Leave us a voice note!



    Get full access to Flowers & Folklore at flowersandfolklore.substack.com/subscribe
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    52 mins
  • Garden gossip 3

    Garden gossip 3
    Jan 28 2026
    In this Garden Gossip episode of Flowers & Folklore, Sarah and Keeley spill all the recent flower goss. From seasonal quiet spells to the ideas and projects that have been quietly taking up all their daydreams.From fairy lights and backyard vows to magnolias, amaranthus, unexpected thistle, and trusting your gut when plans unravel, this episode wanders through wedding flowers, winter studios, meaningful funeral work, and the power flowers hold in moments of joy and grief. Along the way, there’s talk of cake side-quests, Tolkien, hellebores on graves, creative play without pressure, and why fleeting beauty might be the whole point.Enjoy! Floristry & FlowersKeeley:Keeley did her first ever wedding as a florist! Yes siree Bob, that’s the secret project she mentioned in our previous Garden Gossip episode. It just also happens that this wedding was her own. Perhaps, one could argue, that it was a bit mad to attempt to do the flowers on her own wedding day (& in 38 degree heat!) but the madness made way for something magical. Sarah: Sarah recently put together a bold, joyful funeral arrangement for someone who loved colour. She went for fiery Icelandic poppies, wiggly ranunculus, pink spray roses, winter foliage, skimmia, and little pops of ilex berries. It was a riot of life in the middle of winter, and Sarah reflects on how flowers like these can offer a quiet bit of comfort, helping people pause, breathe, and remember the personality and passions of the person they’re celebrating. Even in sorrow, there’s a little magic in the way flowers can hold space for love.InspirationsKeeley:* Sarah mentioned Keeley’s Cake decorating post * This stunning tin snowdrop made by In Progress from Meg Fatharly. Meg’s instagram is also here. Sarah:* Secret Garden interactive book* Sarah’s visit to Tolkien’s grave, with a little hellebore. * Cyclamen by Karim Abu Shakra from the Palestine MuseumComing up…* Sarah’s DIY wedding course which will be out in February* Mother’s Day workshops and vouchers* Keeley’s substack We’re nerdy & noseyWhat flower-related things have you been inspired by recently? We’d love to hear your stories and connections about flowers. Our listenership is really spread across the world, so if you have some local folklore about a specific flower please write in and let us know.Email us at flowersandfolklorepodcast@gmail.com or message us on instagram. Enjoy the episode!Keeley & SarahFind Sarah online: Instagram | Substack | PinterestFind Keeley online: Instagram | SubstackMore info and transcript on Flowers & Folklore you must access this via your desktop and not your phone. Get full access to Flowers & Folklore at flowersandfolklore.substack.com/subscribe
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    39 mins
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