In Bloom with Bess, Paddington, NSW
Images by Joe Brennan
This year we worked with our favourite florist Bess Scott on a festive floral display at our Paddington Flagship. We chatted to Bess about her relationship to nature, favourite flowers and how she celebrates the holidays while spending the morning with her between our two stores in Paddington.
“Flowers have been an integral part of my life since I was born as my father and grandfather are flower growers. One of my first memories is sleeping in a flower box at the Sydney Flower Market!”
“I grew up on an Australian native flower farm on the NSW Central Coast. My school holidays were spent picking and bunching on the farm and early morning trips to the flower markets with dad. After school I moved to Sydney and studied sculpture and painting at Sydney College of the Arts. I never studied floristry formally instead I was very lucky to learn on the job working part time for Saskia Havekes. Saskia taught me that art and flowers go hand in hand. Since then I've been spoilt to get to work with my role models in the industry who include Simone Gooch and Vic Brotherson in London. Before deciding to head back to Sydney and open my shop two years ago.”
I've been spoilt to get to work with my role models in the industry who include Simone Gooch and Vic Brotherson in London.
“I think Australian natives are the best! There are so many unique and beautiful flowers that are so interesting to work with and allow me to be really creative and sculptural with my designs. I’m also really proud to work closely with my dad who grows and sources the best of the best when it comes to natives. It’s a fantastic partnership and allows me the freedom to work with flowers that many people have never seen before. Aussie natives also tend to last longer than traditional soft flowers so that’s always a winner too! I also sell a selection of local seasonal flowers. There are so many beautiful locally grown blooms.”
I’m also really proud to work closely with my dad who grows and sources the best of the best when it comes to natives.
“Flowering gum is my favourite at this time of year, it reminds me of when I was younger and growing up on my parents flower farm. The farm is a sea of colour at this time of year, it’s magical.”
“I was really excited to create a special display of beautiful natives for In Bed, and chose some really interesting flowers that people may not have seen before. You’ll spot some dark pink Kangaroo Paw that is a specialty from my dads farm; the white Mulla Mulla is incredibly unique and not something that you would see anywhere else; the elegant Christmas Bells can sometimes be spotted in the bush but are very difficult to grow; as well as other beautiful flowers such as Banksia Serratta, Verticordia and the mesmerising Sea Crest.”
“Outside of the shop You’ll always find me running in Centennial Park, perusing the Paddington shops, swimming at Nielson Park, eating out in Chinatown and I always love to visit my parents farm!”
After Christmas I plan to stay at Maianbar in the Royal National Park. We’ve been working really hard and florists get up really early In the morning so it will be very nice to sleep in.
“After Christmas I plan to stay at Maianbar in the Royal National Park. We’ve been working really hard and florists get up really early In the morning so it will be very nice to sleep in… the rest of the day will be spent swimming or bushwalking. I’m looking forward to what 2021 has in store, and feeling very optimistic about a return to the fantastic William St energy. With a few more shops popping up, it’s the best place to be!”