By Ellis Butcher Business editor

Last updated at 15:48, Friday, 10 August 2012

A florist is proving his flower power with a string of commissions from the capital.

Derek Armstrong

Derek Armstrong of Bloomsberry florists in Carlisle has been in demand for some of 2012’s highest profile events.

The company was hand-picked for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show and the London 2012 Olympics.

Mr Armstrong, who travels around the country on commissions, staged an exhibit at RHS Chelsea for a glittering soirée attended by the Royal family, former supermodel Jerry Hall and celebrity interviewer Piers Morgan, among others.

In a solid endorsement of his skills, he was also asked by leading trade organisation, the National Association of Flower Arrangers, to jazz up its London headquarters in the heart of the Square Mile.

Mr Armstrong has 35 years experience in the trade and admitted to feeling immense pride at Carlisle and Cumbria being represented in London.

He said: “As well as these amazing jobs, I also take great pride in my day-to-day work, whether that’s at Bloomsberry or through freelancing.”

Mr Armstrong, whose business is based in Robert Street off Botchergate, is highly regarded on London’s flower circuit, having provided installations for iconic destinations such as Kensington Palace, Harrods and Westminster Abbey.

He was given just five weeks’ notice to create the flamboyant art exhibit symbolising the reign of the Queen.

He used mossed unicorns, lions and a corgi guarding the exhibit, with flowers such as hydrangeas, peonies, roses and over a thousand stems of white and golden Singapore orchids.

Bloomsberry formerly operated from Bank Street in the city centre but Derek insists they are still very much open for business.

He said: “Since moving to our new location, I think the general consensus is that Bloomsberry have ceased all together – we haven’t. We are literally only five minutes’ walk from where we were and we create beautiful floral displays for every budget.”

First published at 14:07, Friday, 10 August 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk