Guide to Princess Diana’s Favorite Florist and Floral Inspirations
Princess Diana, known for her elegance and heartfelt connection to people, had a deep love for flowers, particularly forget-me-nots, white roses, and lilies. While no single florist is explicitly documented as her definitive favorite, Longmans Florist, who crafted her iconic 1981 wedding bouquet, stands out as a key player in her floral legacy. This guide explores Longmans Florist, their role in Diana’s life, and how to source flowers inspired by her preferences today, drawing on her love for specific blooms and their symbolic meanings.
Longmans Florist: The Creators of Diana’s Wedding Bouquet
History and Significance
Longmans Florist, a now-closed London-based floral company, was tasked with designing Princess Diana’s wedding bouquet for her marriage to Prince Charles on July 29, 1981. The bouquet, a gift from the Worshipful Company of Gardeners, was a grand, cascading arrangement that set a new trend for bridal bouquets with its Edwardian style. Its size and composition were notable, described by Buckingham Palace as “well balanced” but “heavier than most carried nowadays.”
Flowers in Diana’s Bouquet
The bouquet featured a carefully curated selection of blooms, many of which reflected Diana’s personal tastes and royal traditions:
Gardenias: Large, fragrant, and centrally placed, these added a luxurious touch. They symbolize “you’re lovely” in the language of flowers.
Stephanotis: A traditional wedding flower, these waxy blooms with pearl pins contributed to the cascading effect, symbolizing “happiness in marriage.”
Lily of the Valley: Delicate and fragrant, these were included for their symbolic meaning of “a return to happiness” and were among Diana’s favorites.
Forget-me-nots: Diana’s most beloved flower, gifted to her in childhood by her brother, Earl Spencer, symbolizing true love and lasting friendship.
Freesia: Sweet-scented and white, adding fragrance and innocence to the arrangement.
Odontoglossum Orchids: Exotic and star-shaped, these were a nod to royal tradition, also used in the Queen’s 1947 bouquet, symbolizing love and beauty.
Earl Mountbatten Roses: Yellow roses named after Prince Charles’ great-uncle, adding a personal tribute.
Myrtle: A royal tradition since Queen Victoria, symbolizing love.
Ivy and Veronica: Greenery for texture and depth, symbolizing fidelity and marriage.
Tradescantia: Less common, possibly included for its unique foliage, though its exact role in the bouquet is unclear.
Why Longmans Florist Mattered
Longmans Florist’s work on Diana’s bouquet was a defining moment, blending her personal preferences with royal symbolism. Their ability to source high-end, often special-ordered blooms like gardenias, stephanotis, and odontoglossum orchids showcased their expertise in luxury floral design. Although Longmans Florist has since closed, their legacy endures through the iconic imagery of Diana’s wedding.
Princess Diana’s Floral Preferences
Diana’s love for flowers extended beyond her wedding. Her favorite blooms were:
Forget-me-nots: Cherished for their sentimental value, given to her by her brother, and used in tributes like the Kensington Palace Sunken Garden, which features over 4,000 forget-me-nots.
White Roses and Lilies: Noted as favorites, these were planted extensively at her final resting place at Althorp and reflected her preference for soft, pastel shades like whites, pinks, and yellows.
Lily of the Valley: Loved for their delicate scent and symbolic purity, these were a recurring choice in her bouquets and gardens.
Sweet Peas and Lavender: Included in the Sunken Garden for their fragrance, aligning with Diana’s love for aromatic blooms.
Her preference for soft colors and fragrant flowers was confirmed by Graham Dillamore, head gardener at Kensington Palace from 1984 to 1992, who noted she disliked bold colors like red or deep purple.
Sourcing Flowers Inspired by Diana Today
Since Longmans Florist is no longer operational, here are steps to source flowers inspired by Diana’s tastes from modern florists:
1. Find a Reputable Florist Specializing in Luxury Arrangements
Look for florists with experience in wedding or high-end event floristry, as they are likely to have access to the specialty blooms Diana loved.
Recommendations:
Blooming Haus (London): Known for working with royal-inspired blooms like David Austin roses, which align with Diana’s preference for soft-colored roses. They offer workshops and sustainable floral designs.
Orchid Republic Floral Boutique (Los Angeles/Orange County): Specializes in luxurious arrangements and highlights forget-me-nots as a royal favorite, perfect for Diana-inspired designs.
Ruth’s Roses (San Francisco): Experienced with gardenias, a key flower in Diana’s bouquet, and suggests pairings with roses and hydrangeas in soft shades.
Terry’s Florist (Brisbane, CA): Offers expertise in high-end blooms, though not directly tied to Diana, they can source flowers like gardenias and lilies.
2. Request Specific Flowers
Ask for Diana’s favorite blooms: forget-me-nots, white roses, lilies, lily of the valley, sweet peas, and gardenias.
Specify soft color palettes (whites, pinks, yellows) and fragrant flowers to capture her aesthetic.
For wedding bouquets, request cascading designs with greenery like ivy or myrtle to emulate the Edwardian style of her 1981 bouquet.
3. Incorporate Symbolic Meanings
Use floriography, the language of flowers, to add meaning:
Forget-me-nots: True love and remembrance.
White roses: Purity and charm.
Lily of the Valley: Happiness and purity.
Myrtle: Love and royal tradition.
Consult with your florist to ensure the arrangement tells a story, as Diana’s bouquet did with its mix of personal and royal symbolism.
4. Visit Royal-Inspired Gardens for Inspiration
Kensington Palace Sunken Garden: Redesigned in 2021 to honor Diana, it features over 4,000 forget-me-nots, white roses, lilies, sweet peas, and lavender. Visiting or researching this garden can inspire your floral choices.
Althorp Estate: Diana’s final resting place, with white roses and lilies planted extensively, reflecting her favorites.
5. Care Tips for Diana’s Favorite Flowers
To maintain the beauty of these blooms, follow these care tips inspired by Diana’s favorites:
Forget-me-nots: Thrive in moist, well-drained soil with partial shade. Water regularly but avoid overwatering to prevent rot. Cut back after flowering for a second bloom.
White Roses: Require full sun and well-drained soil. Prune annually to maintain shape and encourage blooming.
Lily of the Valley: Plant in shaded areas with rich, moist soil. Avoid disturbing roots to ensure yearly blooms.
Gardenias: Need high humidity and bright, indirect light. Keep soil moist and use acidic fertilizer.
Sweet Peas and Lavender: Plant in sunny spots with good drainage. Deadhead sweet peas to prolong blooming, and prune lavender lightly after flowering.
Modern Tributes to Diana’s Floral Legacy
Diana’s love for flowers continues to inspire tributes:
Meghan Markle’s 2018 Wedding Bouquet: Included forget-me-nots handpicked by Prince Harry from Kensington Palace, honoring Diana.
Kensington Palace White Garden: A 2017 memorial garden with forget-me-nots, white roses, and lilies, designed to reflect Diana’s style.
Althorp’s Round Oval: A lake monument surrounded by forget-me-nots and roses, created by Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer.
While Longmans Florist holds a special place in Princess Diana’s story for crafting her unforgettable wedding bouquet, her floral legacy lives on through the blooms she loved and the gardens that honor her. By working with skilled florists like Blooming Haus or Orchid Republic, you can recreate arrangements inspired by Diana’s favorites—forget-me-nots, white roses, lilies, and more—while incorporating their symbolic meanings. Whether for a wedding, tribute, or personal enjoyment, these flowers capture the elegance and sentimentality of the People’s Princess.
