Meet Emma from WilderBlooms

I'm catching up with inspiring people whose lives are filled with plants, flowers and tangled garden paths. From gardeners & growers to florists, herbalists, natural dyers and houseplant whisperers. I'm talking to those kindred spirits who’ve made plants a part of their everyday rhythm. I ask about their stories, the things we can all learn from plants and the small rituals that keep them grounded.

For the third edition of My Life In Plants I am so excited to feature Emma Angus who runs WilderBlooms. WilderBlooms is a small flower farm and sustainable florist based in beautiful Ayrshire on the West Coast of Scotland. Emma specialises in 100% British grown flowers (no imports, no pesticides!) in biodegradable packaging. Wedding and events floristry are also available on request.

This year Emma was named in the King's Foundation 35 under 35 list for her commitment to sustainability and horticulture. Emma is an absolute inspiration to me & I'm sure you'll join me in wanting to support Emma's business and hear her story...

Q. Tell us a little about yourself - who you are, what you do, and how plants became part of your life…

A. Hello, I’m Emma, the flower farmer and florist behind WilderBlooms in Ayrshire, Scotland! I grew up on a farm, so have always been surrounded by meadows, woodlands, farmland and of course the family garden. I got a large part of my appreciation for plants in childhood from my parents, who taught me about the species of trees, grasses, crops and wild flowers on our walks, and encouraged me to assist in our home fruit and vegetable garden. In my early 20’s I got interested in houseplants, and by my mid 20s this had spilled out into the garden – starting with growing vegetables and fruit, and spiraling gradually towards forging a career in floristry and flower farming. I grow many my own flowers, and work with other local growers, to arrange them for customers, weddings and events. It’s truly wonderful to be able to take a flower from a tiny seed, through its lifespan to end up in someone’s wedding bouquet!

"Dinners in the polytunnel make it all seem worthwhile, no matter how challenging the week has been"

Q. What’s one thing plants have taught you that you try to carry into everyday life?

A. A flower is a very small part of a plant’s lifecycle, they aren’t putting on a show all the time. Most of the time they are growing or resting. I think in this age of social media, and the need to “put on a show” for everyone else, it’s good to remind yourself that its unsustainable to do that. We need periods of rest and growth aswell, to have the energy and motivation to “bloom” and be our best selves. Sometime we need to slow down

Q. Do you have an everyday plant care or self-care ritual that you’d like to share? 

A. Let’s go self-care! I try to spend time outside every day for no other reason than being outside. I go outside without a plan or chore in mind simply to feel alive and take in my surroundings, its very grounding. Ideally I go out on a sunny day with a cup of tea, I watch the birds, the insects, I wander round the garden and see what’s growing, understand what’s going on in the world around me. But often in Scotland its going outside for a few minutes to feel the wind howling past your ears as the rain batters against you face, its not always pleasant, but nothing puts me more in my place in the world than the brute force of the weather/nature on a rainy day. Be it a storm or a sunny cup of tea, a moment in nature and suddenly those 5 emails I haven’t replied to seem less important and stressful.

Q. If you could save just one plant in an ark for the future, what would it be and why?

A. Brassica oleracea , this one species of plant has many cultivars of vegetable. Broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kohlrabi, spring greens (or collard), kale and various cabbages (red, white, savoy) all arise from selective breeding of this one species of plant. I think that’s incredible! It’s also very very closely related to rapeseed – so could potentially be cultivated for veg oil in this doomsday scenario. Definitely very useful to save in terms of food!

Q. Can you share a recent moment that reminded you why you love what you do?

A. I’ve started eating meals in the polytunnel recently, incorporating as many home grown goodies as I can. At the moment it’s lettuce, herbs, cavelo nero, peas and eggs from my hens. I learned floristry so I could earn an income from my garden. Choosing to grow flowers for a living has allowed me to expand and invest in my garden, which means I get to enjoy it even more in my downtime. I grow the flowers for work, but I grow the vegetables for me, because I love growing things. Dinners in the polytunnel make it all seem worthwhile, no matter how challenging the week has been, (and being self employed is definitely a challenge), they still remind me that its worth it for the lifestyle and happiness it allows me.

"It’s truly wonderful to be able to take a flower from a tiny seed, through its lifespan to end up in someone’s wedding bouquet!"

Q. Any advice for someone just beginning their own life in plants?

A. Experiment. I think a lot of people get put off gardening because they “can’t keep plants alive”. If that’s your thought – you just haven’t found the right plants yet! They can be fickle and often things are out of your control, such as the weather, or the amount of sun your garden gets. Some need lots of water, some don’t. Take a step back and look at your garden; what’s the soil like, heavy and dense, or sandy and dusty? Is it shaded or full sun all day? What’s the weather like where you live? Pick plants that like your set up and everything becomes easier. Growing and tending to plants should bring joy, if it doesn’t, don’t grow that plant!

Emma sells her Scottish grown flowers nationwide & as the seasons change & the British growing season comes to a close, she switches from fresh cut blooms to her own dried flowers which are just so beautiful, find out more here www.wilderblooms.co.uk

Emma runs in-person classes & workshops too for readers who may be based in Ayrshire or Scotland, check her Instagram for updates on Christmas wreaths. And if you're planning a wedding in central Scotland WilderBlooms are now taking bookings/enquiries for the 2026 season!

You can also support Emma by following her through the seasons on the flower farm on Facebook & on Instagram, scroll back to January to check out her post about housing her chickens in her bathroom whilst storm Eowyn raged!