Episode 676: Petal & Pitchfork’s Stacy Marshall hosts sustainable design workshop with Rachel Wardley of UK’s Tallulah Rose Flower School

Slow Flowers Podcast

https://youtu.be/4dzbUJnM3Nw?si=UXmjbry0cAV3qUkj Farmer-florist Stacy Marshall recently opened her beautiful flower farm in historic Poulsbo, Washington, to host British sustainable design educator Rachel Wardley of Tallulah Rose Flower School. I spent a morning visiting with these two floral friends to learn about their recent collaboration to elevate local flowers, seasonal flowers, and sustainable practices. Stacy Marshall (left) and Rachel Wardley (right) at Petal & Pitchfork Farm in Poulsbo, Washington Stacy Marshall says she has realized a long-held dream to learn floristry skills in an immersive setting from an experienced, talented designer. This past July, she hosted UK-based floral educator Rachel Wardley of Tallulah Rose Flower School, who traveled to Poulsbo, Washington, to lead an intimate, five-day session for a group of students, including Stacy, who hosted the workshop at Petal & Pitchfork Farm and also supplied many of the seasonal blooms for Rachel’s instruction and the students’ hands-on projects and installations. Scenes from the Floral Immersion workshop at Petal & Pitchfork Farm (c) Rachel Wardley The sold-out workshop attracted the attention of the local press, and Kitsap Sun daily newspaper sent a reporter and photographer to document the session. I was thrilled to see Slow Flowers mentioned in the context of Stacy’s story as a Slow Flowers member – see link to that story below. Debra Prinzing of Slow Flowers visits Stacy Marshall of Petal and Pitchfork Flower Farm (right) and Rachel Wardley of Tallulah Rose Flower School (center) Stacy and Rachel invited me to stop by for a visit, and it was a true delight to make the Saturday morning drive to Washington’s Kitsap Peninsula, to meet them, and record our conversation for you. Here’s a bit more about both women: Petal and Pitchfork Farm Stacy Marshall at Petal and Pitchfork Farm Flowers for the workshop Floral Immersion workshop, taught by Rachel Wardley of Tallulah Rose Flower School (c) Rachel Wardley After a career in fashion and a busy London life Rachel Wardley turned her attention to the world of flowers. She trained at the renowned Jane Packer Flower School in 2005 and had the honor of meeting the inspirational founder, an introduction she is particularly grateful for. After relocating to Bath, Rachel opened a florist shop, a wedding and event business, and Tallulah Rose, a flower school dedicated to nurturing career change students. Fanciful floral crowns, taught by Rachel Wardley of Tallulah Rose Flower School (c) Rachel Wardley Fast forward 16 years and Tallulah Rose Flower is now based at Levens Hall in Cumbria. The school continues to teach sustainable methods choosing to support local growers and using British flowers throughout the growing season. Rachel is proud to be a UK ambassador for the Sustainable Floristry Network. Follow: Petal & Pitchfork on Instagram Talullah Rose Flower School on Instagram and Facebook Stacy wrapped up her sentiments on a recent Instagram post: “If you’re a grower who aspires to learn floristry, do it now if you’re able. It’s hard to make time as a grower – it took me eight years and an email from Rachel fifteen months ago to make the leap. I’ve become more confident in my own style and expression.” She concludes by writing: “We create best when we express authentically.” I love that! Read: "Prominent British Floral Designer makes a Poulsbo farm her one-stop on U.S. Tour Thank you to our Sponsors This show is brought to you by Slowflowers.com, the free, online directory to more than 750 florists, shops, and studios who design with local, seasonal and sustainable flowers and to the farms that grow those blooms. It’s the conscious choice for buying and sending flowers. Thank you to our lead sponsor, Flowerbulb.eu and their U.S. lily bulb vendors. One of the most recognizable flowers in the world,