Meet the team

JAMIE

Owner & Founder

Owner and founder Jamie Grant started the business in 1999, working alongside his father, Andy. Since then, Gardenia has grown and flourished thanks to a forward-thinking approach, a well-established reputation for fabulously fresh, high quality flowers and a welcoming approach to customer service. Whilst retailers and household name brands seem to sink on an all too regular basis, Gardenia has weathered the high street storm well – although Jamie admits that there have been some tense moments.

Jamie says:

Retail can be very hard, no matter how established your business. There have been times when I have been close to throwing in the proverbial towel – but I am so grateful to our customers for sticking by us and helping us thrive. We love what we do – our flowers put smiles on faces, brighten up people’s days, celebrate the good times and offer comfort to those that need it. Even after 22+ years, we’re still delighted to be able to play our part in all that.

My favourite flower changes on a daily basis. I love that, in floristry, we get to appreciate something new every single day. Although flowers with the same name all seem to look the same, look closer and each one is unique. And I love that.

My favourite thing about Gardenia is being able to make a difference. We are a family at Gardenia and seeing my staff flourish and grow in their roles is unbeatable. We’re also on a mission to reduce our impact on the planet, to have a positive social impact and brighten up life, one bunch at time. We are going to be London’s first 100% plastics free florist. Gardenia will pave the way for all florists to take more responsibility for the waste that they produce, so that we can all continue to enjoy flowers for centuries to come.

 

LUCY

Head of Creative, Sales & Operations

Lucy’s path to floristry is a little less traditional, having previously been a digital project manager for large corporates. Like so many, she yearned for a more creative work life and so turned to floristry. Lucy has been at the helm since 2018 and we couldn’t live without her. It might sound corny but Lucy really is the perfect asset to Gardenia - she’s our brilliant weddings expert, she manages the team, runs all operations, cheers everyone up and makes the best tea!

Lucy says:

It’s impossible to choose a favourite flower so I’ve made a top 5: Clematis, Anemones, Double tulips, Ranunculus and Nigella – I love texture and my favourite bouquets are those that look like they’re still growing.

My favourite thing about working at Gardenia is a bit cheesy, but I love that sending flowers is such a positive thing. Regardless of the occasion, the gesture behind it is to let someone know you care. And that, to me, is motivation enough to get out of bed and go to work each morning.

My speciality – and I’d love to pretend this is super cool and creative – is organisation. I love a list, a plan and to support the team, our customers and happy wedding couples.

 

IYATA

Experienced Florist

Iyata first joined Gardenia in 2018 and, after a short Covid-induced break, is back! You’ll find her smiling, laughing, and chatting with the locals. She trained at Plumpton College and has over 8 years’ experience in all areas of floristry.

Iyata says:

My favourite flower is ‘Lilac (Syringa)’. It reminds me of Lignum Vitae, the national flower of Jamaica, where my Dad is from. The scent is just the best.

What I love most about being a florist at Gardenia is all the happiness we spread. Every bunch of flowers that leaves us makes someone’s day.

My strength is customer service; I love spending time with people and making their floral dreams come true!

My favourite colour is purple. If I could, I’d just make purple bouquets :-0

   

MARIANNE

Florist

Marianne joined us in summer 2023 as a qualified florist with 6+ years in the industry and has been delighting us with her beautiful bouquets ever since.

Marianne says:

My favourite flowers are Delphiniums – the big blousy pale blue ones. Partly because you don’t see many blue flowers, but also there’s just nothing quite like them and they remind me of summer.

The best thing about working at Gardenia is that we get to do lots of different things – it’s not just one aspect of floristry.

I’m not sure what my greatest strength is, I guess neatness and maybe placement of Roses in bouquets.

 

ELLA

Junior Florist

Ella joined the Gardenia family in November 2023 having just arrived in Wimbledon from Melbourne, Australia with 4 years industry experience across retail, events and e-commerce. Ella has taken to life at Gardenia like a duck to water and we love her sunny nature.

Ella says:

I love Hydrangeas – they grow where my Grandparents live and they remind me of my Grandmother’s. I especially love the summer colours – baby pinks and blues.

My favourite thing about working at Gardenia is the flower display and the people – I think the display is very impressive and we have lots of fun together at work.

I also love chatting to customers.

 

GRACE

Trainee Florist

Grace joined the team in January 2024 and is new to the world of floristry, but with a background in Art and Design and experience in hospitality she really has hit the ground running and we’re excited to see her skills develop.

Grace says

I don’t have a favourite flower yet but I do really love Tulips – I like the different varieties and they’re so colourful.

So far, I’m really enjoying choosing flowers and making bouquets. I like working with flowers and plants and everyone is really nice

I’m not sure what my specialist floristry skill is yet, but I think my creative side and background in art will come in handy

 

FRANCESCA

Junior Florist

Francesca joined Gardenia in February 2024 and was thrown in at the deep end with back-to-back Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. She’s the queen of clean and we’re looking forward to being part of her journey into floristry

Francesca says:

My favourite flowers are Lotus flowers – they are the symbol of rebirth and regeneration and I really like that. I like Dahlias too, but I like all flowers – it’s amazing the beauty that the world has to offer.

The best things about working at Gardenia are that here’s lots of different things to do, it’s creative and it keeps my mind stimulated and it’s nice to work with something so aesthetically pleasing that nature has brought us.

I really like helping customers, putting bunches together for them and keeping the work room nice and tidy.

 

CARYS

Florist

Carys joined the Gardenia team in April 2023 with 7 years floristry experience under her belt and armed with her Diploma in Floristry Level 3. Carys not only has excellent floristry skills, but is also our resident baker and is delighting us each and every week with her "100 bakes to make at home" challenge.

Carys says:

My favourite flower has got to be sunflowers, they're like a big ray of sunshine indoors.

The variety of work is the best thing about a florist at Gardenia. And the people are very lovely too!

It's sad, and I hate saying it, but I really like doing funeral work. It's nice because it's one of the last things you can do for somebody and it means a lot to people.

 

ANNA

Junior Florist

We welcomed Anna to the Gardenia family in March 2023 after she joined us for a trial shift during our Mother's Day madness, finished the day with a smile on her face and was still keen to come back for more. We were also very impressed with Anna's tele handler forklift license - you never know when it might come in handy!

Anna says:

My favourite flower is Matricaria, it reminds me of summer days, picnics and gardens.

The best thing about working at Gardenia is how much responsibility we are given, even when in training, which really boosted my confidence. I have learnt a huge amount in such a short space of time.

I love to get creative making handties to sell in the shop and I get a lot of joy, weirdly, from cleaning and organising the workspace.

 

DAWN

Delivery Driver

Dawn has been delighting doorsteps across south west London since the very early days, delivering our blooms near and far.

Dawn says:

I began as a florist at Gardenia but turned to delivery driving and haven’t looked back since (except for checking my mirrors occasionally ;))

My favourite flowers have to be Peonies and Calla Lilies, along with anything in strong, deep colours.

My favourite thing about working at Gardenia is the variety – I’m not just a delivery driver; I get to be involved with all aspects of the business. Even though it’s fast paced and high tech nowadays, Gardenia still has grass roots of the family that started it back in 1999. Jamie and his team welcomes everyone who works here into the Gardenia family.