Hearts and flowers
Andrew Kay finds cutting edge and classic floral designs at Planted in Kemp Town
Nothing cheers me more than a glorious bowl of cut flowers. A simple posy of anemones will do it, a bunch of jonquils heralding the imminent arrival of spring, or a massive bouquet screaming ‘thank you’ or ‘I love you’ at the top of its floral voice.
I clearly remember when Planted opened in St James’s Street. The window displays were a joy: artful, playful and enchanting. The emphasis on structure, sculptural form in vibrant foliage was Stephen Lowndes’ forté. A few weeks later I was sent one of his impressive arrangements as a gift, a spectacularly exotic display of leaves and tropical delights – and it lasted for weeks, quite literally.
When Neil Rushton joined forces with Stephen, Planted retained its creative integrity but added to it a new palette of colours, forms and perfumes. The partnership works on so many levels; they’re still creating cutting edge design in natural forms, but at the same time producing stunning classic floral displays.
“For Valentine’s Day this year Planted are offering luscious deep red Freedom roses, velvety, heavy-headed and long stemmed”
It is this creative edge that keeps them at the head of the game and also keeps their loyal band of customers coming back for more. Of course, it was inevitable they would outgrow their tiny premises in St James’s Street. Fortunately they found a much larger space just across the way in Cavendish Street. Here they have created a floral salon. The huge architectural foliage sits comfortably with displays of vintage blooms, classic roses and single headed chrysanthemums, and they all fight for your attention – some with form, some with colour, and some with scent. The showroom has quiet spaces too, where the guys can deal with sensitive requests in privacy and calm.
Style is top of their list from what they create to the way they package it, but alongside style is also quality. None of the flowers they sell are ordered online. Every stem is seen by them before they buy it so they can guarantee the quality. And it shows: Planted is packed with stunning flowers and plants. 
There is also a great range of stylish vases and containers too – a great idea for those of us who buy the flowers, only to get home and discover we don’t have the right vase.
For Valentine’s Day this year Planted are offering luscious deep red Freedom roses, velvety, heavy-headed and long stemmed, and in a variety of sizes from a single stem to the classic dozen arranged with foliage in an Aqua Box. But for those of us with a sense of adventure, the guys at Planted will happily come up with something more exotic, exciting or even outrageous.
Planted is far more than a simple florists; it’s a style emporium and a place of pilgrimage for those of us who seek something more special than a supermarket or garage forecourt bunch of last-minute sentiment.
Freedom roses start at £5 for a single bloom, three roses combined with other red flowers £45, six roses plus foliage in an Aqua Box £35,
12 roses plus foliage in an Aqua Box £70, red, deep red and purple tulips in an Aqua Box £35. Delivery in Brighton and Hove only: £5.
Planted, 1 Cavendish Street, Brighton, BN2 1RN 01273 699911, info@plantedbrighton.co.uk, www.plantedbrighton.co.uk
