Sales of indoor plants boosted as harsh winter delays flowers

With the cold weather delaying the first spring flowers by up to a month, gardeners appear to have turned to growing plants inside, according to Tesco.

Sales of orchids have increased by 110 per cent at the supermarket chain compared with last year, while demand for hyacinths has risen by 60 per cent. Other indoor plants selling well over the last month included azaleas, jasmine and the Tete-a-Tete daffodil.

Tesco senior horticulture buying manager Louisa Knowles: "The bitter winter and worst snowfall for three decades has put back the arrival of the first spring flowers by at least a month and left gardens looking sad and dull.

"As a result many Brits have decided to literally bring their gardens into their homes and in the last month we have seen record February demand for some of our range."

The National Trust's recent annual flower count revealed that the arrival of spring flowers would be up to a month late this year.