Harnessing the healing power of nature

Her connection to nature and gardening has been fundamental to Rachel Petheram’s wellbeing. Rachel is now sharing her knowledge as a florist, Reiki practitioner and teacher through a series of courses which harness the therapeutic power of flowers and plants. Interview by Caroline Bingham.

Rachel initially trained as a nutritional biochemist and established an academic career which included a teaching post at the University of Lincoln. “I started to grow cut flowers when I married more than 20 years ago and found that gardening helped to ease my bouts of anxiety,” she explained. “I subsequently enrolled for a career change course with the London based florist, Paula Pryke, and in 2014 gave up my lecturing role to set up a business in special occasion floristry.”

Career move
Rachel established her company, Catkin Flowers, within the walled garden at Doddington Hall. Her cut flower garden and subsequent pergola therapy garden supply many of the seasonal British flowers which have been the signature of her floral designs for bouquets and wedding venues. The free-flowing, natural style of Rachel’s designs was perfectly in tune with the trend for less formal and ‘boho’ style special occasions, many set against the beautiful backdrop of the Hall itself.

“Initially I was worried that I had let people down by leaving my established, academic career, especially as there are comparatively far fewer career female scientists. Some people saw floristry as a ‘fluffy’ choice but fundamentally I am a teacher and those skills are an integral part of the courses I deliver now.”

Rachel also became a Reiki practitioner and master, which gave her the sensitivity of insight into moving energy around the body. “I recognised that I could combine flower therapy with my Reiki skills to restore the connection we all need to nature and its healing qualities.”

One of the important lessons that Rachel learned herself is that when people are handling flowers, perhaps making a handheld posy on one of her courses, they open up and talk and this is a route to helping people. “I find that flowers have such an emotional connection for people and each flower has its own special properties.”

Flower power
“I consider that I am a facilitator for people to reconnect to nature, to help them discover what may be holding them back or to find a deeper level of tranquillity and understanding of their lives.” One group of the courses which Rachel offers are based on the Wheel of the Year. The eight themes reflect the pagan festivals of the year such as Beltane, Mabon, Litha and Yule, marking the equinoxes and season changes. The courses, which can be booked online, include a mindfulness walk around the garden at Doddington Hall, foraging for seasonal blooms and foliage. It is a way of observing and reconnecting to the immediate nature around us, building a mood board of the finds. Clients, who can book as individuals or as groups, are encouraged to discover the depths of their own creativity, building a floral design to take home. “I love to weave nature into everything I do as it is fundamental to all of our wellbeing and health. I have seen people come into my workshop who are struggling, in a reactive state to life but I aim to help them learn how to thrive once more.”

Eco garden
Rachel is in the throes of replanting her cut flower garden at Doddington Hall, switching to more perennial plants, many of which she has grown from seed but also planting 9cm pot specimens. “I will make it a no-dig garden where I just mulch heavily each year. It is part of the changes in climate we are all experiencing. Mulching is very efficient at retaining moisture in the soil and perennial plants, with well-established roots, will be much more tolerant of these changes and not need additional watering, unlike annual blooms.”

With the help of her husband, garden designer Guy Petheram, Rachel is also creating new habitats for wildlife within the garden with large, log bug hotels. The cut flower and wellness gardens are the open-air classroom which Rachel combines with sessions in the cabin workshop. Rachel has an intimate knowledge of the unique properties of each flower and she asks clients to pick their favourite and least favourite.

“Flowers are so evocative for many people – from scent to appearance. These can trigger very different emotions for different people. A peony, Coral Charm for instance, is a bold form with a delicious fragrance. It is a powerful healer, exhibiting abundance. As a choice it is indicative of people overextending who should feel more present, who feel they need to work hard for everything. The vivid colour is about creativity, passion and joy, opening your heart chakra, inviting you to use intuition and creativity to find ways to connect when people are a long way away.

“In contrast, a flower such as Verbascum is indicative of the person who is standing firmly in their identity, not doubting their gut instinct or worrying about social pressures.”

Find your course
While her floristry business still flourishes, in addition to the Wheel of the Year courses, Rachel also offers classes to help restore and renew individuals, classes in botanical creativity and professional development. There are also classes in nature therapy and Reiki, how to grow your own cut flowers and creative mentoring.

“I have been fortunate that I have transitioned into this career, using all of my previous life and career experiences. I could not have imagined that I could pull together teaching, science, floristry and gardening but it has meant I have found my path and it is a privilege to be in a position to mentor and help people in this way.”

www.catkinflowers.com

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