Petal & Tide
Flowers, foliage and a little piece of the coast
Petal & Tide has been part of St Orison’s High Street since 2009, founded and run by Mari Pitten and Elise March. What began as a small independent florist has become one of the town’s most recognisable shopfronts, known for overflowing buckets of seasonal flowers, hand-tied bouquets and displays that seem to change with the weather.
The name Petal & Tide reflects the two things that have always shaped the business: the flowers and plants Mari and Elise work with every day, and the sea that is never far from view in St Orison. Their arrangements often take inspiration from the coast — softer colours in spring, wild grasses and sea-toned foliage in summer, berries and burnt oranges in autumn, and evergreen branches, dried flowers and candlelight through winter.
Seasonal Wreaths
Petal & Tide’s seasonal wreaths are designed and made in the shop using a changing mix of fresh foliage, dried stems, berries, seed heads, herbs and natural decorations. Each season brings a different character — softer greens and blossom in spring, dried grasses and late flowers in summer, richer foliage and berries in autumn, then fir, eucalyptus, pinecones and dried citrus through Christmas.
Mari and Elise make each wreath by hand, with no two quite the same. Customers can choose from ready-made designs in the shop or order something more personal for a front door, table centre or seasonal gift. The emphasis is always on texture, natural colour and a slightly wild St Orison feel rather than anything too formal.
Fresh Flowers & Delivery
Fresh flowers arrive throughout the week, with Petal & Tide favouring seasonal stems and locally grown varieties whenever they are available. From simple hand-tied bouquets to larger arrangements, every order is put together in the shop and wrapped with the same relaxed, distinctive style seen in the windows.
The shop also creates flowers for weddings, celebrations, remembrance and special events, including bouquets, buttonholes, table flowers and venue arrangements. Mari and Elise work closely with customers to keep each commission personal rather than overly prescribed.
A local delivery service operates across St Orison and the surrounding area, with same-day delivery available on selected orders placed early enough.
The Petal & Tide van has become a familiar sight around the harbour and High Street, usually carrying rather more flowers than seems entirely sensible.