Written by Rona Wheeldon
August 09, 2017
Head to the Flower Market this month and you’ll find a spectacular variety of dahlias in so many different shapes and sizes!
Just how stunning is this pink-peach ball-shaped variety called Linda’s Baby?
Source: Wild About
There’s a wonderful selection of British blooms and foliage to choose from too. Plus lots of plants and sundries! To see what else you can find at the market over the coming weeks, why not take some time out of your busy day, settle down and have a browse through August’s report…
British Flowers
If you’re looking for homegrown dahlias, Pratley have boxes upon boxes of these vibrant mixed blooms.
Or for something with a more linear form, check out their pretty larkspur…
…or gladioli.
They also have a plentiful supply of agapanthus at Pratley, if you’re looking to add a pop of blue to a design.
Over at Zest Flowers, their British Flowers section is getting bigger and bigger as we move through the summer months! Check out this beautiful Scabiosa atropurpurea in pink, white and pale lilac.
If you saw Matt from the Urban Flower Co’s hand-tied bouquet which he designed for this year’s British Flowers Week, then you’ll have already seen this dainty white bloom. It’s called Silene vulgaris. And its common name is bladder campion, due to its bladder-like calyx.
World Flowers
You’ll find sunflowers aplenty at Nine Elms this month including this variety with its green centre. It’s called Helianthus annuus ‘Vincent’s Fresh’, often labelled as ‘Vin Fresh’, and it’s available at DG Wholesale Flowers. By the way, if you missed it first time around, you may like to have a read of this Product Profile about this cheerful flower.
Looking to add a touch of texture to a design? Then how about Rudbeckia, which DG Wholesale Flowers also have.
Over at Bloomfield, you’ll find this elegant bi-coloured rose called ‘Kahala’. With champagne-cream petals edged with dark peach, it’s becoming very popular to harmonise with other cream and peach roses.
Have you seen these branches laden with quince fruits? Labelled as Kweepeer, they can be found at Dennis Edwards Flowers.
Green cabbages, very much the ornamental kind of Brassica, are starting to appear.
At J H Hart Flowers, they have this unusual spider chrysanthemum called ‘Baltazar’, with lilac and green petals.
If you’re on the search for a filler flower in a cool tone, how about this Eupatorium cannabinum 'Plenum' at Zest Flowers?
Aren’t these spray roses absolutely gorgeous?! Perfect for wedding designs, they’re called ‘Victorian Classic’ and you’ll find them at Bloomfield.
And thistle-like Cynara cardunculus, also known as globe artichokes, are adding a splash of vivid purple to the market.
British Foliage
At GB Foliage, there’s a fantastic array of British greenery. For example, oak resplendent with acorns…
…tall rosemary...
… and copper beech. The latter being ideal for dark, moody arrangements.
The scent when you walk into the foliage wholesalers at the moment is so intoxicating! Not just from rosemary, but at Porters Foliage you’ll also find bundles of purple basil…
…and scented geranium.
And if you’re looking for a little something special to add movement to a design, they have jasmine trails too.
British Plants
Climbing perennials in the form of these brightly coloured Mandevilla hybrida plants can be found at L. Mills…
…where they also have a large selection of begonias, with their large lush petals, in a range of different colours.
World Plants
Calluna, summer flowering heather, which is perfect for window boxes and pots, is available at Evergreen Exterior Services.
They also have an incredible selection of bulbs…not only Alliums including ‘Purple Sensation’, ‘Pinball Wizard’ and ‘Globemaster’ but also Crocus sativus and Colchicum.
And they have these Dicksonia antarctica plants, also known as Australian tree ferns.
At Quality Plants, there are ‘Flapjacks’…of the botanical kind! Available in various sizes, these dramatic plants with their large red-rimmed leaves are also known as Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, paddle plant or desert cabbage.
Check out their Clivia plants if you’re in need of a splash of bold orange.
Just how unusual are these plants which they also have in stock? They’re a trailing variety of Crassula called Crassula marnieriana 'Hottentot' and their common name is jade necklace vine.
Another plant with quirky leaves is this Rhapis excelsa at Arnott & Mason. The ends of their blunt leaves almost look like they’ve been cut with crimping scissors!
And if we’re talking quirky leaves, let’s not leave out Aloe Vera! Thick and fleshy, their lance-shaped leaves are studded with little ‘teeth’, characteristic of this distinctive plant.
Sundries
At Whittingtons, they have a fabulous new range of hat boxes. They come in two colourways in various shapes. And they’re all sold in units of three boxes of differing sizes.
They also have this innovative product called Easy Pleat, which is a great way to save time when you’re making floral tributes. Available in a range of different colours, it’s pre-pleated ribbon which is completely ready to use.
And rounding up this month’s report is their extensive array of florist’s tools. You’ll find everything from scissors, knives and secateurs to wire cutters, thorn strippers and foliage removers.
So, I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this month’s report and it’s given you lots of inspiration! As always, we’d love to hear from you if you have any comments or questions. Simply fill in the boxes below.
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