Tucked away on a rented acre at the edge of a working farm—flanked by a local cidery, a curious herd of sheep, a fish-filled pond, and a charming family of ducks—you’ll find Alma Proust, a flower farm rooted in creativity, care, and collaboration. Run by Paris Alma and Milli Proust, Alma Proust focuses on seasonal flowers grown organically with care for the land.
Before joining forces, Paris and Milli each spent over five years cultivating flowers for weddings, events, brands, and bouquet deliveries. But when life brought a few unexpected turns—including the arrival of a baby and the loss of a growing space—they discovered that partnership was not only practical, but powerful. What began as mutual support quickly blossomed into a shared vision.
With sustainability at the heart of everything they do, the duo’s mission is simple yet impactful: to get more consciously grown, colour-rich blooms into the hands of florists—and to share the joy by offering seeds so others can grow a little beauty of their own.
We sat down with Milli to talk about life on the farm, the joy of slow growing, and how her floral world intertwines with home and creativity.
What first inspired you to work with flowers, and how did your journey begin?
It didn’t start with a grand plan, just a slow, growing pull toward working with my hands and with nature. I began with a few pots and window boxes in London and found that watching something grow from seed to bloom was endlessly grounding and joyful. I trained as an actor and worked for years as a freelancer in archiving and floristry alongside it, but every spare moment was spent outside, trying to coax things into flower. Eventually, it was the flowers that won out. What began as a side project has grown into a small business over the last decade. What my business partner Paris and I have built now is very much a life.
Did you always have a connection to nature or gardening growing up?
Not in a traditional sense, I grew up in inner-city London, where green space was limited to window boxes and the occasional park. But I was always drawn to it. I’ve always been obsessed with flowers and plants, even if I didn’t have the tools to engage with them properly at the time. It wasn’t until I moved to West Sussex that I really began to understand the rhythm of the seasons, and now I find so much comfort in tuning into those tiny daily shifts.
Are there any flowers that are your favourites to grow—and why?
Violas are endlessly fascinating to me. They’re expressive and full of personality, like little painted faces, all freckled and flushed. They’re easy to grow in small spaces, surprisingly generous when picked, and always feel a little bit like a secret. I also have a huge soft spot for sweet peas, for their scent, their delicate form, and the way they bloom so abundantly if you keep picking. But my favourites are roses- they’re hopelessly romantic.
What are your top three tips for someone just starting out with growing their own flowers?
- Start small. A few well-tended pots or a single raised bed is more than enough to bring joy.
- Grow what you love. If you’re excited about a flower, you’re more likely to look after it well.
- Be okay with things going wrong. Seeds don’t always germinate, slugs have opinions, it’s all part of the process. Growing teaches you patience and resilience more than anything else.
When growing flowers for cutting and decorating, what are some important factors to consider?
Stem length and vase life matter, of course, but so do scent, texture, and movement. I love using flowers that aren’t too rigid—ones that bend or sprawl a little, or carry signs of the weather in their petals. It’s also important to plan for succession so you’re not overwhelmed by everything at once (and then nothing at all). Be led by the seasons, and don’t forget the foliage- structure and shape are just as vital as colour.
What are your favourite ways to bring nature indoors throughout the year?
It doesn’t need to be grand, a handful of wild grasses in summer, a single flowering branch in spring, some hips or catkins in the colder months. I try to bring in something that reflects what’s happening just outside. It keeps me tethered to the season, and it means the indoors always feels in conversation with the outside world.
Finally, what’s one flower that you feel truly represents you, and why?
Probably a rose, not the rigid, formal kind, but the big, blousy ones that smell incredible and are always just a little bit unruly. There’s a softness there, but also a strength. And a tendency to bloom madly when the conditions are right, then retreat for a bit to gather strength again. That feels about right.
Have you been inspired to bring florals into your home? Follow AlmaProust and Milli Proust on Instagram for ultimate floral inspiration.