Written by Rona Wheeldon
June 02, 2016
Summer is starting to make an appearance at New Covent Garden Flower Market this month with a wonderful array of seasonal British blooms now available from many traders. For example, dainty cornflowers, both mixed and blue.
Don’t forget that British Flowers Week takes place from June 13th-19th! Click here for all the details. Now, time to discover what else you can expect to find on your next visit to the Market…
British Flowers
At Pratley, as well as homegrown sweet peas, lilies and lisianthus, there are also drumstick alliums. If you missed it first time round, you may like to have a read of their special Product Profile.
Over at S Robert Allen, there are bunches upon bunches of delicate brodiaea (triteleia).
And at Zest Flowers, the 'British Corner' of their stand is growing in size every week, with British blooms such as sweet rocket...
...phacelia...
...and pink campion. Seeing this delicate flower fondly reminds me of childhood walks in the Devonshire lanes!
Oh, and let's not forget sweet william at Pratley.
Also look out for a super range of British flowers including sweet peas, cornflowers and peonies at DG Wholesale Flowers.
World Flowers
I don't think I've EVER seen as many peonies under one roof as on my visit to the Market this month. The whole place is teeming with just about every variety imaginable. Trevor and his colleagues at S Robert Allen have a terrific display, which includes Coral Sunset.
Throughout the Market, you'll also find Sarah Bernhardt, Red Charm, Command Performance, Dr Alexander Fleming, Moonrise, Coral Charm... the list goes on. One which really shines out for me this month is Monsieur Jules Elie, which you can find at Zest Flowers.
Have you seen this particular carnation before? It's called Viper Wine and it's available at Alagar.
Quirky lupins as cut flowers can be found at Bloomfield, whilst plants are available at Quality Plants.
There are lots of different varieties of aquilegia including beautiful Blue Barlow at Dennis Edwards Flowers. By the way, Dennis has had a bit of a move around and you'll now find his main flower stand opposite the entrance to Whittingtons.
If you're looking for the perfect floral ingredient for a 'garden gathered' style bouquet, he also has borage with its pretty blue star shaped blooms.
Or if you're looking for an ideal flower for a new baby boy bouquet, then this pale blue variety of hydrangea at DG Wholesale Flowers called Mammoet is ideal.
Campanula blooms can be found in various hues, including this one called Champion Lavender.
And a little similar to daffodils in flower shape, Eucharis lilies are available at Alagar.
Blushing Bride proteas are such an apt flower to include in wedding flower designs and they're available at Dennis Edwards Flowers. For a stunning example of a bridal bouquet by Saipua which features them, click here.
And very excitingly, they've arrived. Yes, Café au Lait dahlias are back! Excellent news for many a bride-to-be...
British Plants
Bob at L Mills says that New Guinea Busy Lizzies make him very happy, because having them arrive at the Market means that summer is coming...!
He also has a superb selection of supersized British geraniums.
World Plants
Trays upon trays of dwarf dahlias can be found at Evergreen, not only in red, but also white, pink, burgundy and yellow.
And that's where you'll also find beautifully scented stock (Matthiola incana) in pale pink, cerise pink, cream, purple and white.
This Rhyncospermum Jasminoides stopped me in my tracks as the scent was absolutely amazing when I walked past Quality Plants!
Very much in evidence at the recent RHS Chelsea Flower Show, they also have white and pink foxgloves. Thank you so much for all your lovely comments about our award-winning exhibit at the show!
Did you see the Japanese maples at Chelsea? Well, how about this variety called Acer palmatum 'Skeeters Broom' at Arnott & Mason?
They also have these striking kangaroo paw (anigozanthos) plants, which you can find out more about in our recent Product Profile...
British Foliage
If you're making an on-trend compotier design, this guelder on Foliage Row is just the ticket!
And staying with foliage with flowers, there's flowering rhododendron.
Forsythia's starting to come in...
...and there's also privet, fabulous for bouquets and pedestal designs.
Dock has such a lovely texture and you'll find it at Porters Foliage.
Whilst over at GB Foliage, the mighty structural leaves of the artichoke are available...
...plus white leaf, also known as sorbus.
Sundries
If you're on the look-out for containers for outdoor planting, C Best have a great selection. Included in their range are fibre clay planters in different shapes and sizes in cream and black washed. Some textured, some smooth.
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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