Good industry contacts are essential in building a successful career in floristry. At Greenmount, floristry students have the opportunity to visit local wholesalers and growers as part of their Conditioning and Use of Flowering & Foliage Materials unit and have regular visits from industry representatives.

Recently our florists were delighted to welcome James Cleland of Ballee Blooms, Ardglass to the Garden Studio to talk about his experience as a Northern Ireland cut flower grower. James emphasized the benefits of quality and freshness in his flowers and brought a selection from his extensive range of lily cultivars to show the students.

James was accompanied by David Davidson, CAFRE’s Cut Flower Development Adviser, who gave a short overview of cut flower production in Northern Ireland and outlined the availability schedule for local flowers and foliages.

Full time floristry students Theresa McGreevy, Sally’s Floral Studio, Ballymena, (left) and Jeni French, Pink Kactus, Coleraine, (third left) are shown a fantastic selection of lilies by James Cleland of Ballee Blooms (second left) and CAFRE’s Cut Flower Development Adviser, David Davidson.