Flower arranging workshops with a garden-fresh twist are being staged at a new Swanton Morley venue.

Florist Penny Nicholas has teamed up with Swanton Morley House and Gardens for the themed workshops where participants can use flowers and foliage from the venue's garden for displays they make on the course.

Part of the renovation of Swanton Morley House on Hoe Road North has seen the revival of the Edwardian gardens, which provides the flora and greenery used in the workshops held in the property's studio annexe.

'One of the great attractions of these workshops is that people can walk around the gardens and help select the flowers to use in the displays they will make,' explained Penny, who runs Crown House Flowers at Horsham St Faith near Norwich.

'It not only means the flowers are fresh and grown at the venue, but also ensures that the displays we make are seasonal.'

A recent workshop saw groups using holly, spruce and berries from the Swanton Morley House gardens to create Christmas wreaths and festive table centres.

Forthcoming workshops at the venue will use spring flowers to create displays for Mother's Day and Easter and later in the year some activities will focus on bridal flowers, making the most of the summer blooms in the garden.

Venue owner Caroline Mace said: 'Our gardens have been designed and planted up for the flower workshops. We are so lucky that 100 years ago someone planted this garden with beautiful trees, yew hedging and rhododendrons, and had a vision for it. We have continued to renew and revive the gardens when we took over with an extensive programme of replanting, with British-grown flowers very much at the heart of our plans.'

Head gardener Dan Nobbs is also on hand for the floral workshops to walk participants through the garden and offer tips on planting.

During the workshops Penny gives a demonstration and talks through the flowers and greenery to be used, offering advice on how to get the best out of the displays and materials, before leaving the class to have a go themselves.

Future events include Spring Design Workshops on March 12 and 14 and an Easter Workshop on April 2, both £48 and from 9.30am-12.30pm, including coffee and pastries and all materials.

A Wedding Flowers Workshop on May 22 (9.30am-2.30pm) is £75 per person, including materials and lunch provided by Byford's of Holt.

For more information visit www.swantonmorleyhouse.co.uk or www.crownhouseflowers.co.uk or call Caroline at Swanton Morley House (01362 637828) or Penny at Crown House Flowers (07523 429186).