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Flowers & Folklore

Flowers & Folklore

Written by: Sarah Rushbrooke & Keeley Rees
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Have you ever wondered why you shouldn't bring snowdrops into your home? Or what happens when you hear bluebells rings? This podcast is for you. Regular episodes from florists, Sarah Rushbrooke and Keeley Rees. Listen for floral lore and unusual flower facts.

flowersandfolklore.substack.comKeeley Rees Art
Episodes
  • Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea
    Oct 7 2026

    We took an accidental summer hiatus. This charming episode was actually recorded back in July but patiently waited until we had time to edit.

    Sweet peas are a summer delight and we explore it’s limited folklore but endless art, poetry and interesting history. Like always, we take many a detour into different topics.

    Enjoy the episode.

    Books & Poetry

    * The Language of Flowers by Margaret Pickston

    * Floriography by Jessica Roux

    * The Language of Flowers by Odessa Begay

    * The Sweet Pea Man: The Life and Times of the Victorian Plant Hybridist by Graham Martin

    * The Flower Market Year by Simon Lycett

    * Sweet Peas by Margaret McKenny

    * Sweet Peas by Alfred Noyes

    * What I Would Like to Grow in My Garden by Katherine Riegel

    * Ode to Tired Bumblebees Who Fall Asleep Inside Flowers with Pollen on Their Butts by Luisa A. Igloria

    Artworks

    * The Sweet Pea Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker

    * Georgia O’Keeffe paintings

    * Jessica Roux illustration

    * Lustra Goblet and Sweet Peas by William Nicholson

    Also mentioned

    * Myths and Legends Podcast: Danish pea folklore

    * Stuff You Should Know Podcast: Let’s All Go to the World’s Fair

    * Sophie Powell’s Sweet Pea installation for the RHS Hampton Court

    Flowers & Folklore on Instagram

    We’d love to hear from you!

    Have your own floral stories or lore about sweet peas? We’re accepting reader submissions, so if you have a flower story, (about any flower) please share it with us! Leave us a voice note on our website flowersandfoklorepodcast.com, comment below or email us at flowersandfolklorepodcast@gmail.com

    Enjoy the episode!

    Sarah & Keeley

    Find Sarah online: Instagram | Substack | Pinterest

    Find Keeley online: Instagram | Substack

    More info and transcript on Flowers & Folklore you must access this via your desktop and not your phone.



    Get full access to Flowers & Folklore at flowersandfolklore.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 hr
  • Garden gossip 4

    Garden gossip 4
    May 17 2026
    In this Garden Gossip episode of Flowers & Folklore, Sarah and Keeley spill all about their new floristry studios and what they’ve been up to lately. Tangents include a rant from Sarah about the council, Keeley schools Sarah on the Goethe Effect & nasturtiums and we chat about dried flowers.Enjoy!Floristry & FlowersWe both begin our journeys in new studios. Follow Rook Botanics and The Green Edit Studio on Instagram to stay in the loop.InspirationKeeley:* Mr Bloom on Instagram* Keeley’s trip to the coast, featuring nasturtiumsSarah:* Small Biz, Big Chat networking events in Glasgow* The snowflakes from Sarah’s workshop* The petticoat daffodils (we think!) at Haddon Hall* Caroline McQuistin on TikTokComing up…Keeley:* The Green Edit Studio website for upcoming floristry workshops* Join The Green Edit Studio mailing list* The Idea Catcher SpreadsheetSarah:* Sarah’s upcoming spring workshops* Join the Leftover Flower Club* 1:1 floristry workshops with Rook BotanicsFlowers & Folklore on InstagramWe’d love to hear from you!Have your own floral stories or lore about a favourite flower? We’re accepting reader submissions, so if you have a flower story, (about any flower) please share it with us! Leave us a voice note on our website flowersandfoklorepodcast.com, comment below or email us at flowersandfolklorepodcast@gmail.comEnjoy the episode!Sarah & KeeleyFind Sarah online: Instagram | Substack | PinterestFind Keeley online: Instagram | SubstackMore info and transcript on Flowers & Folklore you must access this via your desktop and not your phone. Get full access to Flowers & Folklore at flowersandfolklore.substack.com/subscribe
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    36 mins
  • Bluebell

    Bluebell
    Apr 29 2026
    This was the episode to start it all. Until it wasn’t. Originally recorded (and then discarded) not once, but twice by Sarah when she was first beginning her podcasting journey, today, 4 years on this episode makes it to the airwaves. But, dear listener, it’s worth the wait. Ah, the little bluebell. A flower tied to ancient woodlands, fairy folk and warnings not to stray from the path ahead. In this episode we explore why bluebells have captured imaginations for centuries and take a few detours on the way. Because, hey, it’s us. Enjoy the episode.PS look out if you hear them ring!Books & Poetry* Discovering the Folklore of Plants by Margaret Baker* The Brief Life of Flowers by Fiona Stafford * The Language of Flowers by Margaret Pixton * Hedgerow Apothecary by Christine Iverson* Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs* The Traditional Games of England, Ireland and Scotland by Alice Gomme* Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life by Marta McDowell* Flower Fairies of the Spring by Cicely Mary Barker* The Fairy Caravan by Beatrix Potter* The Bluebell by Anne Bronté* To a Bluebell by Emily BrontéArtworks* The Bluebell Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker* Helen Allingham Bluebell paintings* Lucy Loveheart Also mentioned* Cymbeline by William Shakespeare * Countryside the podcast episode about Beatrix Potter by two walkers in Cumbria * Village of Death the podcast episode about Eyam plague village in Derbyshire * The Bluebell Railway* The Fairyland TrustFlowers & Folklore on InstagramWe’d love to hear from you!Have your own floral stories or lore about violets? We’re accepting reader submissions, so if you have a flower story, (about any flower) please share it with us! Leave us a voice note on our website flowersandfoklorepodcast.com, comment below or email us at flowersandfolklorepodcast@gmail.comEnjoy the episode!Sarah & KeeleyFind Sarah online: Instagram | Substack | PinterestFind Keeley online: Instagram | SubstackMore info and transcript on Flowers & Folklore you must access this via your desktop and not your phone. Get full access to Flowers & Folklore at flowersandfolklore.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 hr and 12 mins
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