The mild, temperate climate in Cornwall continues to encourage flowers to bloom earlier than in other parts of the country.

The arrival of railways in Victorian times allowed the development of a thriving flower industry in Cornwall, providing a way to get fresh flowers to markets. Violets, iris, daffodils and anemones to name a few.

In the past flowers were picked and transported in full bloom, nowadays they are picked at the bud stage. Photographed above is my Granddad picking iris at Wright Matthew’s flower farm near Mousehole.

Violets were picked in small posies, surrounded by violet leaves to protect the delicate blooms. If violet leaves were damaged by frost and in short supply winter heliotrope foliage was used instead.

On special occasions such as Mothers’ Day or Easter if it was earlier enough in the year, my Mum and other children, picked primroses to send to City Market’s for pocket money. This was before it was recognised that picking wild flowers had a negative impact on nature.

Today many of our towns, villages and the hedgerows have flowers and foliage established as part of the commercial flower industry, that can be mistaken as native arrivals.