As Chichester prepares to come alive with colour this June for the launch of Chichester in Bloom, 3–7 June, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Chichester Cathedral’s Festival of Flowers, we took the opportunity to meet the two talented independent florists helping transform the city centre.
Behind the imaginative floral shopfront installations that will bring colour, creativity and a touch of theatre to Chichester’s streets are two women with decades of experience, a deep love of their craft, and a shared excitement about creating something truly special for the city’s very first Chichester in Bloom
Meet Meg from Hedge Rose
For Meg Windell, owner of Hedge Rose Chichester, flowers have been part of her life for more than two decades.
Since opening her independent florist on The Hornet in 2019, Hedge Rose has become known for its distinctive country garden aesthetic – natural, abundant arrangements full of texture and movement, inspired by the beauty of hedgerows and seasonal blooms.
“It’s very much our style,” Meg explains. “That relaxed, gathered-from-the-garden look is what people know us for – which is where the name Hedge Rose came from.”
Unlike catalogue florists, every arrangement created by Meg and her team is entirely bespoke, with fresh flowers and foliage arriving daily to inspire unique creations.
From weddings and funerals to birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and corporate commissions, no two weeks are ever quite the same.
“We’re a truly independent florist, and I’m incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful team. During those peak periods especially, they really step up.”
Now, Meg is bringing her creativity and collaborative spirit to Chichester in Bloom.
“One of the loveliest parts of this project has been getting to know the businesses and the people behind them,” she says. “Each installation is different because each business is different, so it’s been a really collaborative process.”
Having previously worked with a local business during the 2024 Festival of Flowers, Meg already understood the incredible footfall the event brings into Chichester.
“That’s what makes this initiative so exciting. Chichester BID has created something businesses can genuinely invest in and benefit from, while helping create something beautiful for the city.”
And will Meg get the chance to enjoy the festivities herself? “Absolutely,” she says. “I can’t wait to see the Chichester in Bloom trail in all its glory and discover what everyone has created. I’ll definitely be visiting the Festival of Flowers too.”
To find out more about Meg’s bespoke floral work, visit Hedge Rose at hedgerose.uk.
Meet Lisa from Flower
A little further into the city on North Street, Lisa Sheridan, owner of Flower Chichester, is preparing for one of the busiest – and most creatively rewarding – periods of the year.
Although Flower opened in 2025, Lisa has more than 25 years of experience in floristry, including nine years running her own florists in London, before bringing her creativity to Chichester.
She is equally thrilled to be helping shape the city’s first Chichester in Bloom.
“Creating eye-catching floral installations with local businesses is such an exciting opportunity,” she says. “It’s wonderful to be part of something that will bring so much colour, creativity and energy into the city.”
Lisa is also one of the florists contributing to Chichester Cathedral’s Festival of Flowers, where she is creating the installation in the poignant setting of St George’s Chapel.
Dedicated in 1921, the chapel honours the men of the Royal Sussex Regiment who lost their lives in the First World War, making it one of the Cathedral’s most moving and significant spaces.
Responding to this year’s Festival of Flowers theme, Nature’s Embrace, Lisa is creating a contemporary interpretation inspired by remembrance, featuring asparagus fern garlands, meadow-style floral installations and a dramatic draped entrance design. The concept will offer a modern take on red poppy fields, with a particularly moving element involving poppies created by pupils from Bishop Luffa School.
The installation is being brought to life by Lisa herself, with practical support from her partner to help realise some of the larger structural elements.
“It’s definitely a busy few weeks,” she laughs.
But for both florists, that creative energy is exactly what makes this time of year so special.
As Chichester in Bloom launches alongside the much-loved Festival of Flowers, visitors will not only experience breathtaking floral artistry inside the Cathedral, but a city centre alive with creativity beyond its walls.
To find out more about Lisa’s work visit Flower – Chichester.
