The U.K.’s first “Flower Pharmacy” opened its doors last month — prescribing bouquets instead of medicine to those in need of a mood boost.
The one-off experience in London was designed to encourage people to think differently about flowers, showing how they can play a role in everyday well-being rather than just being reserved for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. It was created in partnership with Plants and Flowers Foundation Holland and chartered horticulturist, TV gardener, and author David Domoney.
Guests were matched with blooms tailored to their mood before leaving with a bouquet recommended to lift, calm, or energize them.
For example, yellow flowers, including sunflowers, roses, freesias, and snapdragons, were prescribed to boost happiness, while calming bouquets featured blue and green blooms like hydrangeas, delphiniums, and chrysanthemums. For those who needed a dose of energy, there were also vibrant orange, red, and pink flowers.
The event came as a poll of 2,000 British adults found 37% struggle when daylight saving time ends, with 29% admitting the time change leaves them feeling glum.
Discussing the partnership with Plants and Flowers Foundation Holland, which commissioned the research and the pop-up, Domoney said: “There’s something incredibly uplifting about flowers, and research has shown that they can have a positive effect on our mood and emotional well-being. From the cheerful yellows of sunflowers and freesias to the calming tones of blues and greens, color can influence how we experience the spaces around us.”
“We often associate flowers with special occasions, but there’s no reason we shouldn’t enjoy their beauty and the benefits of having them around us in everyday life,” he continued. “Sometimes, it’s the simplest connections with nature that can make a real difference to how we feel.”
The survey also found that around a third of respondents spend more time indoors following the clock change, while 28% find the darker evenings difficult and 22% experience lower energy levels.
The good news? There are plenty of ways to lift that low mood, like listening to music, reading a book, exercising, spending time in nature and, yes, buying flowers.
While just 9% of people said they regularly treat themselves to blooms, the emotional response to receiving them is clear — half said they feel happy after being presented with a bouquet, 45% grateful, 34% joyful, and 24% comforted.
Monique Kemperman, horticulture expert for Plants and Flowers Foundation Holland, said: “As the days become shorter and darker, small acts of self-care can make a real difference, and flowers are a simple way to bring color, joy, and positivity into everyday life.”
“Our research shows just how much of an emotional impact they can have, yet many people still reserve them for somebody else or a special occasion,” she added. “The Flower Pharmacy is about encouraging people to see flowers as an everyday well-being boost rather than a treat.”
This article was originally written by Jasmine Lenthall for SWNS — the U.K.’s largest independent news agency, providing globally relevant original, verified, and engaging content to the world’s leading media outlets.
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