As you take a wander around the islands over the winter, the air is scented with flowers. Because of the sea surrounding the isles, the climate is milder, wrapping the islands like a blanket. Flower farmers are able to grow scented narcissi in small fields, protected by tall Pittosporum hedges from the gales sweeping the Atlantic. When cold snaps threaten frost and snow in mainland UK, the isles very rarely see the same.

The season begins in October and continues throughout the winter months, with workers picking the flowers by hand in the fields. There is a long history of flower farming on the Isles of Scilly and it has been a mainstay of the Scillonian economy for centuries. Today narcissi are grown commercially on four of the five inhabited islands, keeping up the long-held island tradition of producing high quality and beautifully scented narcissi for which Scilly is famous.

Scented narcissi range in colour from a creamy white to a deep orange, with shades of custard and lemon yellow in between. Paper whites, which bloom from October to February, are a particular favourite with their delicate white petals and tiny yellow centres, smelling heavenly.

Many flowers are bought online and sent in gift boxes, delivered through the post or by courier. Flowers also go straight to the large supermarkets, so next time you spot a bunch of narcissi when you’re out shopping have a look at the label… often it will proudly state that they are from the Isles of Scilly. They will have been hand-picked with love and care before being sent across the country to smile up at you!

As the hotels and guest houses on Scilly spruce themselves up ready for the busy summer season, the flower farmers are gearing up for Valentine’s Day and Mothering Sunday when thousands of boxes of Scented Narcissi will leave Scilly, sending messages of love and a little piece of these wild little isles to homes all over the country.

Why not take a last minute break to experience Scilly in bloom for yourself?