A TIMPERLEY cut flower grower rubbed shoulders with royalty at one of the world’s most prestigious flower shows last week.

Last year, Andrea Julyan was quietly tending flowers in her Timperley back yard, before she decided to launch her own independent flower growing business.

Her success in growing fresh, organic British flowers for her shop, The Nectar Bar, in Victoria Road, won her an invite to the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Andrea was in the capital representing Flowers from the Farm, a non-profit network that encourages and supports independent British flower growers.

Andrea said: “It was such an honour for me to be part of this prestigious event.

“Months and months of planning have gone into it and so much hard work. All of the design, build and flowers were provided by small flower growers like myself.

“I was up early last Friday cutting blooms to go with flowers that were sent to London from all over the North West.”

“After the difficult spring we have had it was a very last-minute decision which flowers were in peak condition and suitable to go to Chelsea. “One of my jobs while I was there was to make sure all the flowers on the display were in tip top shape so we could show all the visitors the amazing range of cut flowers that small growers can provide.

“It is also very important to me to grow flowers ecologically, without peat and chemicals.

“My flowers also supply much needed nectar to bees and butterflies.”