Shane Connolly on Constance Spry: Gardener and Floral Decorator, in her own words

In anticipation of the Garden Museum’s 2021 Constance Spry exhibition, Guest Curator Shane Connolly presented this talk looking at Spry’s approach to gardens and flowers. Shane used her wonderful books and images of her life and creations as a starting point.

The talk will be introduced with an in-conversation between Emma House (Garden Museum Curator) and Shane Connolly, talking about the process of curating such an exhibition.

Constance Spry opened her first flower shop, Flower Decoration, in 1929. Her revolutionary approach to floristry garnered widespread interest in high society, while also democratising the form, marrying traditional flowers of choice with ‘unusual’ and uncelebrated plant material like kale and pussy willow. Her influence can still be seen in floral design trends to this day.

Throughout her long successful career, Spry also opened a floristry school, a domestic science school, published thirteen books, and arranged the flowers for numerous royal occasions including at Westminster Abbey for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.