MEET THEGROWERS

J C Clay & Partners

When it comes to brightening up your home with cheerful, hand-picked daffodils, we work with the very best, and that means teaming up with J C Clay & Partners. Their fields are where our beautiful British daffodils begin their journey, nurtured by experience, dedication, and a whole lot of love right here in Lincolnshire.

"Tims Quote"

Tim Clay

A Life Among the Flowers

Tim, who’s now semi-retired, can’t quite stay away from the fields as he’s always ready to lend a hand. Farming is in his blood after all. Coming from a long line of growers, his grandfather used to grow tulips and anemones. Back then, during the war years when imported flowers weren’t an option, British blooms were big business and Tim’s family built a lasting legacy.

For Tim, growing daffodils is a true team effort. Many of the same loyal workers have returned to his fields for the past 7 to 8 years, and they know these flowers like the back of their hands. At peak season, you’ll find up to 30 pickers a day out in the fields, starting at 6am and often finishing up by lunchtime. Though rain or shine, the daffodils don’t wait!

Picking the Perfect Daffodil

Every single daffodil is hand-picked, and timing is everything. Pick too early, and they won’t open properly. Pick too late, and they’ll be too bloomed, shortening their vase life. It’s a delicate balance, and Tim’s experienced team has it down to an art, even when the Lincolnshire weather throws a challenge their way.

Tim’s farm spans an impressive 34 acres, and every year they grow in excess of 5 million daffodils. One special highlight is when the "doubles" arrive. They are a particular variety where the blooms have extra layers of petals, giving them a fuller, fluffier look.

Of course, picking daffodils is no easy task. When the flowers all bloom at once, the team has to work quickly to keep up. And when the weather turns, the fields become a muddy obstacle, making every harvest an adventure. Add in a wet winter, and those 34 acres can quickly turn into a slippery challenge. But with Tim’s expertise and the team’s dedication, they always rise to the occasion, ensuring only the best blooms make their way to you.

From Field to You

Once picked, the daffodils are collected by Greeen+, who swing by the farm three times a week to collect the freshly harvested stems. They’re looking for daffodils that are at least 40cm long, any shorter and they won’t make the cut. When the weather heats up, the flowers grow incredibly fast, keeping the pickers on their toes!

The daffodil season kicks off in January, usually starting with blooms from Cornwall, where the climate is milder. But in 2025, the colder weather delayed things a little... that’s the beauty (and challenge) of working with nature.

A Blooming Brilliant Choice

Much like our poinsettias, buying British daffodils isn’t just about beautiful flowers, it’s about sustainability. Fewer air miles, lower costs for you, and supporting local jobs and traditional skills. It’s all part of keeping the British flower industry thriving for generations to come.

We’re proud to work with Tim and his dedicated crew, who pour experience, care, and craftsmanship into every stem. Next time you pop a bunch of our daffodils into your vase, remember that they were picked from fields nurtured by British growers.