Flowers & Folklore

Sarah Rushbrooke & Keeley Rees
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Arts
  • Updated Monthly

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.com

  1. Oct 7

    Sweet Pea

    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

  2. May 17

    Garden gossip 4

    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 & Flowers We both begin our journeys in new studios. Follow Rook Botanics and The Green Edit Studio on Instagram to stay in the loop. Inspiration Keeley: * Mr Bloom on Instagram * Keeley’s trip to the coast, featuring nasturtiums Sarah: * 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 TikTok Coming up… Keeley: * The Green Edit Studio website for upcoming floristry workshops * Join The Green Edit Studio mailing list * The Idea Catcher Spreadsheet Sarah: * Sarah’s upcoming spring workshops * Join the Leftover Flower Club * 1:1 floristry workshops with Rook Botanics Flowers & Folklore on Instagram We’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.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

  3. Apr 29

    Bluebell

    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 Bronté Artworks * 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 Trust Flowers & Folklore on Instagram We’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.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

  4. Feb 28

    Violet

    Hello! Keeley takes us down lots of fragrant and delicious rabbit holes all about the violet. This small but mighty flower has deep roots in the floristry world, as well as being the OG red rose (it’ll make sense once you listen!) And yes, this gave Keeley another opportunity to complain about roses. We take a trip down memory lane with films and books, take a quick stop at the Tate to admire some art and look up recipes for violet pudding. Books * The Hedgerow Apothecary by Christine Iverson * Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants, and Trees by Ernst and Johanna Lehner * Floriography by Jessica Roux * Discovering the Folklore of Plants by Margaret Baker * Flowers and Their Meanings by Karen Azoulay Artwork * Lady with a Bowl of Violets by Lila Cabot Perry (1910) at the National Museum of Women in the Arts * A Bouquet of Violets by Édouard Manet (1872) * Ophelia by John Everett Millais (1851-52) at the Tate Head to our Instagram for visuals. Also mentioned * Betty May @bettymaywrote - features the character Violet the mouse in the Wildwood series * The article by Felicity Hall from historyworkshop.org.uk about flower girls Flowers & Folklore on Instagram We’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! 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. P.S. Leave us a voice note! Get full access to Flowers & Folklore at flowersandfolklore.substack.com/subscribe

  5. Jan 24

    Camellia

    Hello, hello! So lovely to be back and be sharing our first episode of 2026 in which Sarah takes us into the curious world of the Camellia. Don’t be fooled by its beauty and abundance, this flower has a layered and more powerful past than you might expect. In this episode we wander about gently through history, folklore, politics and fashion houses. Plus, it wouldn’t be an episode about a pretty flower with at least one reference to a noble death, right? In amongst that creepy revelation we talk about memory keeping, notebooks, perfumes that evoke images of ‘theatre and posh old ladies’ and the lengths humans go to, just to have flowers in their lives, no matter the era. Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and maybe don’t pluck flowers from mysterious trees... Books * The Language of Flowers by Odessa Begay * A Year in Flowers by Erin Benzakein * Floriography by Jessica Roux * The Complete Language of Flowers by S. Theresa Dietz * The Language of Flowers by Margaret Pickston * Two Japanese tales featured here. This is an illustrated database of Japanese folklore and worth noting they also have Patreon. The accompanying image below is by Matthew Meyer: Impact on Women’s Sufforage in New Zealand Speech: “So Women Can Get the Vote” by Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia. Journal: The camellia – suffragist symbol of womanly excellence. Battle of the Camellias. A symbol for Suffrage 130 by Vanessa Smith. Artworks & Literature La dame aux camélias by Alexandre Dumas Camellia artworks by British painter and botanical artist Clara Pope (c.1767 – 24 December 1838). Camellia and Bird by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige (1797 – 12 October 1858). Also mentioned Camelia Oil by Niwaki Camellias in The House of Chanel Flowers & Folklore on Instagram We’d love to hear from you! Have your own floral stories or lore about Camellia? We’re accepting reader submissions, so if you have a flower story, (about any flower) please share it with us! 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

  6. 12/24/2025

    Garden gossip 2

    In this episode of Flowers & Folklore: Garden Gossip, we chat about what’s been inspiring us lately and what flowers we’ve been working with recently. Flowers & Floristry A wreath someone made in Sarah’s wreath workshops A sneak peak from the vampy photoshoot at The Marlborough A flower crown Sarah made for my Christmas party, because she forgot to photograph any of the arrangements What are Sarah and Keeley up to? Listen to Keeley’s other podcast Creative Courage The incredible Idea Catcher Spreadsheet that Keeley is offering podcast listener’s for free. This will be available soon. Sarah is working on a DIY Wedding Flower course. Follow her Instagram for updates. Christmas ornaments From Keeley: The Die Hard Christmas ornament I made for my son. An heirloom nativity set gifted to me by Uncles & Aunty’s on my dad’s side of the family. This was in Nanna Betty’s home every Christmas and I was obssesed with it. Little wooden angel - one of 3 wooden pieces given to me from my Amma & Grandad’s collection. Anne of Green Gables ornament my Amma brought back from Canada for me. A brass instrument to remind me of my Grandad and growing up in the Salvation Army with their gorgeous brass band. And just because - our Christmas tree this year. Christmas ornaments From Sarah: A snow globe with a dressage horse inside One half of the set of turtle doves I share with my sister The Grandma ornament my sister had made for me Mary Queen of Scots because she’s amazing Other inspriation Eleanor Gander’s incredible tattoos Floral lace over the buildings Garden gnome headcrown guy AKA Jonathan Hiebert We’d love to hear from you. Have your own floral stories or lore? We’d love to hear from you! We’re accepting reader submissions, so if you have a flower story, (about any flower) please share it with us! Comment below or email us at flowersandfolklorepodcast@gmail.com Enjoy the episode! Keeley & Sarah 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

  7. 12/20/2025

    Hellebore

    In this episode of Flowers & Folklore, we step into the shadowy world of the hellebore: a flower with rich history and many contradictions - the light and the dark. We explore how this moody bloom has been linked to Christianity and witchcraft in equal measure, how it was used to create some surprising “magical powers”, its role in some juicy ancient goss and also there’s some goats eating things they absolutely shouldn’t. To fully explore this little flower’s backstory we fall down more than one rabbit hole, but all of them bring us to the same conclusion - you’ll never look at The Christmas Rose the same way again. Books, Art & Poetry * The Language of Flowers by Odessa Begay * “How to do the flowers” by Constance Spry * Floriography by Jessica Roux * Discovering the Folklore of Plants by Margaret Baker * Encyclopædia of Superstitions, Folklore, and the Occult Sciences of the World by Cora Linn Daniels * The Complete Language of Flowers by S. Theresa Dietz * Thanatos by Henry Kirke White * Lyrics from Speyer service book from 1599 Artworks ‘Arts & Crafts Hellebore’ by Margaret Light Click here to view the full article about Margaret’s gorgeous work. Inspiration * Hellebore and moth tattoo by Eleanor Gander (@eliluciitattoos) * Winter arrangement by Constance Spry * Hellebore arrangement by The Floral Coach Have your own floral stories or lore about hellebore? We’d love to hear from you! We’re accepting reader submissions, so if you have a flower story, (about any flower) please share it with us! Comment below or email us at flowersandfolklorepodcast@gmail.com Enjoy the episode! Keeley & Sarah 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

  8. 11/16/2025

    Garden gossip 1

    In this episode of Flowers & Folklore: Garden Gossip, we chat about what’s been inspiring us lately and what flowers we’ve been working with recently. Keeley tells us about viburnum, viburnum and more viburnum and Sarah tells us about the end of wedding season. Tangents include a trip through Keeley’s gorgeous garden and Haddon Hall’s recent exhibition Magic. Sarah also reveals her dislike of gyp and Jane Austen’s Emma. Flowers & Floristry * Keeley’s beautiful designs from college * The Season of Abundance ran by Sophies Flower Co. Read Sarah’s essay about it on Substack * The waxflower tree Sarah and the other students made at McQueens Flower School What are Sarah and Keeley up to? * Join Sarah in Glasgow for one of her wreath making workshops this winter * Getting married in Scotland? Sarah is offering 10% off weddings booked by the end of November 2025 * Keeley has launched her gorgeous new business The Green Edit Studio Have your own floral stories or lore? We’d love to hear from you! We’re accepting reader submissions, so if you have a flower story, (about any flower) please share it with us! 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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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

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.com

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Rushbrooke & Keeley Rees
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Keeley Rees
  • Show Website
    Flowers & Folklore