Bringing bikes to the beck and call of flowers, we give to you the brains behind the flower delivery company with a difference, Petalon. Created by florist Florence Hill, it was a business plan that joined up all the dots: on hand bikes, the flower market around the corner, and a currently unsustainable yet popular industry of sending bouquets.
Petalon have changed the way we can send flowers. By offering only two alternative bunches at a fixed price per week (including a donation to Capital Bee), Petalon cut out waste and use seasonable selections throughout the year. These perfectly pieced together creations are then delivered direct to the lucky recipient by bike.
Petalon’s creator Florence speaks to us about the brains behind the beauty.
Where did the idea come from to create a flower delivery business that was a friend to the environment?
It was really a happy accident. When my husband started his bicycle brand, Kennedy city bicycles – we had a lot of bikes! Cycling had become a way of life for me, so it always felt natural to have a business around it.
Why did you team up with Capital Bee?
It’s no secret that as beautiful as flowers are, the cut flower industry isn’t very green. I wanted to give something back and supporting my local bee population made a lot of sense to me. My husband used to keep bees at his old office job and I had heard of Capital Bee through that.
Where do the flowers come from?
All over. I try not to get many that have air miles though. Throughout spring and summer the British flowers are fantastic.
Do you think that simplifying the process makes it easier for a business to be more environmentally and socially friendly?
I don’t know if it’s the limited choice that makes that so. As a florist it was about creating minimal waste – both from an environmental and a financial view. But there is something more thoughtful about a limited choice. The best restaurants often have the smallest menu! I also wanted to make the ordering process as easy for the sender as possible.
Creativity must be a huge part of your business when you are working within a limited scope, what inspires you?
Gardens! The great thing about london is the small pockets of amazing gardens – all with different styles and colours. It’s why it’s so good for the bees here – all the different flowers on everyone’s balconies and rooftops, window sills and gardens. On my morning dog walk I can spy on all the different garden blooms on the way to the park and then we are lucky enough to have a wildflower meadow at our local park too. Bursting with zinnia, poppies, cosmos and all sorts.
If you were in charge for the day what would you do?
Cover all the public spaces with wildflowers.
To send one of these beautiful (inside and out) bouquets click here.
