Not a Patch on What it Used to Be
Amanda Austin Flowers in 2025 is a very different florist than from 2020. Amanda ended her directorship with the shop in late 2024. My experience this week in 2025 has been completely unsatisfactory.
I prepaid £150 and provided my own bowl for a Christmas plant arrangement for an elderly friend, expecting the skill and creatvity that I had been used to in the past. I am seriously disappointed for what they provided: 3 hyacinth bulbs, 3 small hellobores, a few tete-a-tete bulbs on half-dead carpet moss. Would you pay £150 for this?
I was disappointed when I picked it up, but didn't realise the full trravesty of it until I got home. Be careful before you pay up front for something at this florist. It is not a patch on what it used to be, in my opinion.
Reply from Amanda Austin
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. We are very sorry to hear that you feel disappointed with your experience and would like to address a few points to clarify the situation.
At no point during or following collection did we receive any correspondence to indicate that you were unhappy with the arrangement. When you collected the bespoke order in person from the shop, our instore CCTV shows that you expressed that you were delighted with what had been created. In particular, you commented positively on the inclusion of willow, which had been a special request, and praised our florist Abbie for ensuring this detail was incorporated successfully.
The container you provided was a fruit-bowl–sized bowl, which we were specifically asked to plant up. Due to the size and depth of the bowl, careful consideration was required to ensure the bulbs had sufficient space, drainage, and the correct conditions to grow successfully. A special order was placed at short notice to source the bulbs, and the maximum number that could be planted safely and responsibly was used. The selection and spacing were deliberately planned so that the bulbs would flower at different times, allowing your friend to enjoy blooms over a longer period rather than everything flowering at once and failing prematurely.
We always aim to balance creativity with horticultural best practice, particularly with planted arrangements where longevity and success are key. Had you raised your concerns with us at the time of collection or contacted us afterwards, we would have welcomed the opportunity to discuss them directly and find a resolution.
We are genuinely sorry that the arrangement did not meet your expectations in hindsight, but we do feel it is important to provide an accurate account of the order, the work involved, and the feedback given at the time of collection.
Kind regards
The Amanda Austin Flowers team