Local Spotlight on Bracken & Bloom: A flourishing, sustainable floristry business in Kent

In the second instalment of our Local Spotlight series, we’re delighted to introduce you to Kate Henshaw-Hughes — the creative force behind Bracken & Bloom, a flourishing floristry business rooted in sustainability and seasonal beauty.

We caught up with Kate to chat about her journey into floristry, the inspiration behind her new shop, and what customers can expect from this charming new addition to the Kent countryside.

Tell us about Bracken & Bloom, what first inspired you to become a florist and how did you get started?

My name is Kate, and, for the last two and a half years, I have run my part-time floristry business, Bracken & Bloom, from my garden studio in Whitstable.

Like many similar such businesses, Bracken & Bloom was born out of boredom and the lack of a creative outlet during lockdown. Having spent my twenties and early thirties building a career in the events industry, I was well versed in floristry within the field but had never really tried it myself.

Starting small, with an online diploma in floristry, followed by some incredible guidance and work experience from some fellow florists, I launched in September 2022. Since then, I have predominantly sold from home as well as hosting regular, seasonal workshops and pop-ups. I also have put my creative skills to work by designing my very-own, hand-drawn, seasonal stationery to go with my flower offerings. 

It has been a wonderful side-line business that has given me that much-needed creative outlet whilst not impacting on my current, full-time doggy day care and boarding setup.

What is your favourite flower and do you have a favourite that you like to work with?

Mmm, this is a tough one. I am not sure I could choose, although I do have a soft spot for a ranunculus. I also really love working with wild flowers and grasses as I enjoy the natural, meadow style they bring. 

However, if I am honest, for me, I love working sustainably and therefore seasonally. It is those seasonal changes I love the most. Each season offers totally different styles and colours of stems to work with, and it’s not just each season, every month and, sometimes, every week is different. I just love the changes and the variety of the flowers I work with and am also, therefore, able to offer my customers. 

And what types of products do you create?

I will be offering seasonal, fresh bunches, priced from £25. Larger options will, of course, be available on request. Going forward, I hope to also look into subscription flowers too - watch this space!

Fresh wreaths wise, I will be making fresh, seasonal wreaths from £40. For dried, I will be selling my dried bud vases at £15, regular bunches for £25 and wreaths from £45. 

I am always open to commissions too, so do come and see me and we can chat more. 

Where do you source your flowers and how do you ensure your business is sustainable?

During the main British growing seasons (from around May - October) I work with local, Kent-based, sustainable growers. Out of season, I go to larger - but still British and still sustainable - growers who are mainly based in Cornwall and Lincolnshire. I also have a brilliant dried flower, sustainable, specialist grower I use who is based in Shropshire.

In terms of other ways in which I work sustainably - I do not use single-use plastics and only work with biodegradable packaging and presentation materials. So I wrap my flowers in hessian and jute string, have recyclable stationery, and even use biodegradable bamboo sticks to hold my greeting cards rather than the plastic ones most people will be more familiar with. 

Is there a dream project or event you’d love to create flowers for?

Honestly? My shop is my dream!

We’re really excited to hear about the shop, how does it feel to be opening your first shop and what can we expect from it?

I am genuinely over the moon. It goes without saying that all (or I would say most) small business owners dream of having their very own shop and this really does mean the absolute world to me. The shop will be in a shepherd's hut on my family farm and I am so excited to be heading ‘home’ and to such an idyllic spot too.

The hut is in a paddock, overlooking the farm and the North Kent Downs beyond and it is truly special, both to me and, I hope, will be to my customers going forward too. But the shop isn’t just about me and my offering. I have and will continue to carefully curate a whole host of other, local, sustainable sellers and makers to create, what I am coining, a ‘guilt-free gifting hub’. Think cards, candles, ceramics, skincare, prints, plants and more.

Longer term, I also plan to rewild a section of the paddock to grow meadow flowers both to use myself and also to build towards a pick-your-own style setup for my customers moving forwards. As mentioned, I love to work with wild flowers and grasses and am excited to enhance a heavily grazed paddock to a more natural, meadow space, filled with pollinator-friendly-flowers that will provide seasonal colour for me and my customers whilst attracting bees and butterflies to enrich the biodiversity of the space. 

The full ethos behind my brand will therefore continue to celebrate nature whilst minimising waste, enhancing and giving back to the environment, and supporting a circular, local economy as I have always set out to do. 

How do you hope your shop will fit into the local community?

I am so excited to be rejoining the community I was brought up in and to be bringing all that my little shop has to offer to the village. For anyone who doesn’t know it, East Brabourne is an idyllic little hamlet, nestled just under the North Downs and is a very special place to me and somewhere I still often call ‘home’.

Not only do I hope to serve the local community but also to help bring visitors from further afield too. You see, despite its size, East Brabourne, has so much to offer - not only is it a beautiful, country village with a wonderful, Norman church and a multitude of stunning, country walks, but, there is also an exceptional pub (with rooms), The Five Bells Inn and a gorgeous vineyard for wine tours and tastings (also with a cottage to book for stays), Brabourne Vineyard - all within a 5 minute walk of my shop. What’s not to love?

Are there any collaborations or workshops you’re planning?

Yes, lots! Not only the collaborations with the makers and sellers in the shop itself but I also have lots of other plans in the making too. Firstly, I am working on a retreat day for the summer that will involve yoga and flower arranging - all in the beautiful setting that is the paddock. Don’t worry, I have also bought a gazebo / marquee just in case of that unpredictable British weather we all love. I then plan to hold other, seasonal workshops throughout the year. Once winter hits and the run-up to Christmas, I am excited to head back to the hut at Brabourne vineyard for wreath making and wine tasting like last year.  

What’s your favourite hidden gem / local business in Kent?

Can I have two? 

The first is We Sell By The Sea here in Whitstable. Octavia and her brilliant business is so inspirational and has provided the perfect platform for me and so many other, fellow, small business owners to sell since she opened back in November 2023. Her concept is simple yet fantastic - a flexible, affordable, community-led, pop-up market and workshop space for her own company but with a multitude of selling ‘pods’ for short and longer term hire for other local, small business owners too. Just brilliant.

The second is Tickety Boo in Wye. Emily and her gorgeous shop are just as brilliant and just as inspirational as Octavia and her’s. Similar to me, the concept came out of lockdown and a family-owned property. Previously run as a gift shop by her parents and, before that, a village greengrocer, Emily has transformed this lovely spot into her own gifting hub - loved by locals and tourists alike. Although a different offering and shopping experience from my plans, I look forward to being her ‘neighbour’ and to continuing to take inspiration from her and especially her absolutely brilliant social media presence and personality, which is something I need to work on!

How can we find out more?

Talking of social media, that’s where you will find me - all of my news and updates, and all things shop for now. I don’t yet have a website but watch this space!

https://www.instagram.com/bracken_and_bloom/

Bracken & Bloom opens its doors on Friday 16th May at 9am