Founded by Harriet Whitbread alongside her parents, Penny and her husband, The Lincolnshire Flower Company was based itself during the pandemic when the family began selling flowers from their greenhouse by the estate gates. Harriet’s background in textile and print design shapes her approach. She treats every flower as a carefully chosen detail in a living composition. Their cutting garden supplies a seasonal palette of British varieties—Delphiniums for drama, butterfly Ranunculus for coral tones, and much more as flowers become the heart of their arrangements.
The Lincolnshire Flower Company - A Family Heritage
The Lincolnshire Flower Company brings together Harriet and his family's diverse skills in textile design, medicine, and prestige perfumery to offer expertise in color, shape, aroma, holistic remedies, and nature. They are all passionate about growing their gardens and businesses. Harriet is the lead florist, and she lends her design experience to each arrangement. Penny's background in plants and Prestige Perfumery complements her family's floral heritage. Rhoddy's first work was in a nursery, and after nearly fifty years, he has returned to his origins.
Each year, they chose new varieties to grow, guided by the changing seasons. They are very connected to what is currently available and use the flowers to inspire their designs. Harriet's method is based on presence and responsiveness to nature. Their family mission is clear: to give the most beautiful floral designs imaginable while reducing air and vehicle miles to a bare minimum.
The Life of Harriet Whitbread and Her Love for Flowers
After completing her studies, Harriet decided to do a ski season—thinking it might be her last chance to travel in that way. While she was away, she had a dream—quite literally—that she wanted to become a florist. Not long after, she quit her job, returned home, and began reaching out to florists to ask about volunteering. One said yes. She started working with them and soon after booked a floristry course in London. That experience led to two formative years working for the florist—setting the foundation for what would come next.
When COVID hit, Harriet found herself at home, pregnant, and spending more time with her parents in their greenhouse. Together, they began sowing seeds. When the blooms came in, they started selling small bunches of flowers at the bottom of their driveway, promoting them on social media. Locals came by to make socially distanced purchases, and interest quickly grew. What started as a small lockdown project soon became The Lincolnshire Flower Company.
A Typical Day in Harriet’s World
Mornings begin with nursery drop-off for her little one. From there, she unpacks the early flower deliveries from Holland, then heads out to the field with scissors in hand to pick what’s in bloom. The studio works with a mix of Dutch and British flowers. While the British-grown varieties hold a special place in their work, the Dutch supply provides the consistency, quantity, and palette needed for certain design briefs.
Once the flowers are gathered from the field, she brings them into the workshop to condition. From there, it’s a day of making gift bouquets, wedding florals, and even arrangements for funerals. Every day brings a different mix of needs, and the work always begins with the flowers themselves.
Flowers That Make Harriet Happy as Can Be
Harriet has a soft spot for Delphiniums—she returns to them again and again. With their amazing height and structure, they add a dramatic element to any arrangement. In a world of smaller, rounder flowers, Delphiniums stand out, especially in their rare shades of blue. They’re unique and never fail to make an impact.
She also has a fondness for the daffodil. While often underestimated, daffodils come in an impressive range of varieties. Harriet appreciates their cheerful form and distinctive scent. They're easy to source, and recently, she’s noticed supermarkets expanding their offerings to include more types, such as Narcissi, which she gladly incorporates into her seasonal designs.
Wanna know more about herself and the family business, including inspirational floral designs? Head to The Lincolnshire Floral Company's Insta!
Photos: @thelincolnshireflowerco.
