Flowers from The Channel Isles
by Kerry Joyce on June 30th
The islands of Guernsey and Jersey are well known for the local flower growing industry that every year exports nearly one million boxes of cut flowers.
The island of Guernsey is mainly home to the commercial growers, but the island also showcases large fields packed full of wild flowers which include the bluebell woods and vast orchid fields resulting in the island being full of colour all year round. Most famous is the Guernsey Lily which originated from South Africa and was then exported to London. That has now been superseded by daffodils, freesias, carnations, roses and many other varieties.
Commercial growing of the flowers was originally in glasshouses which were wooden structures with narrow panes of glass. They have since been developed to a new metal framed glasshouse with wider panes of glass. This allows a lot more light to enter the structure and this along with new equipment has resulted in better flowers grown more efficiently.
The Channel Isles are known as the Floral Isles, and if visited in the summer months you will know why. The islands have a warmer climate and longer hours of sunshine than most other places in the UK. This provides a rich and fertile soil that makes it an ideal place to produce flowers and plants.
Tags: orchid, rose, freesia, daffodils, Guernsey, battle, jersey
Written for you by flower experts, giving you tips and advice on everything flower related. Read interesting flower facts and news.