Written by Rona Wheeldon
October 31, 2016
This month at New Covent Garden Flower Market, as well as blooms in a stunning warm autumnal colour palette of yellow, orange and red, there's also an abundance of purple, pink and blue flowers to be found.
For example, how gorgeous is this variety of chrysanthemum called 'Bigoudi Purple'.
Read on to discover what else you can expect to find on your next visit to Nine Elms...
British Flowers
There are boxes upon boxes of nerines at Pratley, including this beautifully scented deep pink variety called 'Zeal Giant'.
Over at Zest Flowers, you'll find dainty cosmos in their British Corner, along with dahlias and roses.
World Flowers
There's a great selection of chrysanthemums at D G Wholesale Flowers this month, including this orange variety called 'Paladov Dark'. If you missed it first time round, do check out this special Product Profile about this very well-known bloom.
More and more different types of tulips are appearing on the stands. And perfect for autumnal designs is this double tulip called 'Orange Princess'.
Dahlias are in plentiful supply. Until the first frost, you'll still find British grown dahlias at the Market. And there's a wide selection of varieties from Holland currently available, including this pastel pinky-peach one called 'Linda's Baby'.
You'll also find Café au Lait dahlias. But if you're ever looking for a substitute, 'Avignon' chrysanthemums are a great stand-in. At Bloomfield, they have two different types from two growers. And you'll see by the photos below that the colour of the petals differs slightly between growers.
Blushing Bride, also known as Serruria florida, with its pointed petals that range from white to pale green and pink, can be found at the Market. How stunning does it look in this designby McQueens?
I adore the rich, dark colour of this particular Hydrangea macrophylla called 'Magical Ruby Red Classic'.
You'll find several different types of scabious this month, including this deep purple variety at Dennis Edwards Flowers called Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Cherry Vanilla Scoop'.
Have you seen this flower before? It's called Caryopteris incana 'Pagoda Ocean' and it's available at Bloomfield. Check out this lovely bouquet by Petalon, which features it.
Brassica season is in full swing and if you're looking for a variety with a pop of intense lilac at its centre, then Brassica oleracea 'First Lady' is just the ticket. The plant wholesalers also have ornamental cabbages in pots, if you're looking to add colour and texture to window boxes or containers.
Looking for a bit of a different eryngium? Then head to J H Hart, where there's this new variety called Eryngium Magnetar Questar.
Lofty artichokes, with some in bloom, can be found at Zest Flowers.
And I'm so happy to see that ranunculus season has started! How stunning is this variety called Ranunculus 'Elegance Hot Pink' at D G Wholesale Flowers?
That’s where you'll also find this fabulous rose called 'Crazy Eye' with its bi-coloured pink petals.
How pretty is this variety of anigozanthos (kangaroo paw) called 'Pink Joey' at Dennis Edwards Flowers?
British Plants
Senecio, with its striking silvery-white leaves, is available at L.Mills...
...where there's also these Ajuga reptans 'Black Scallop' plants. In late spring and early summer, their glossy, dark, near-black, scalloped leaves are complemented by deep blue flowers.
If you're looking for brightly coloured blooms, then how about these primulas, which they also have?
World Plants
Speciality orchids are The Flower Council's Houseplant of the Month for November and you'll find several varieties at the Market including Cattleya orchids at Quality Plants.
And they also have these striking Paphiopedilum orchids.
I can't walk by gardenia plants whenever I spot them at the plant wholesalers. I just haveto stop and smell their intoxicating scent, perfect for bridal work. You'll find them at Arnott & Mason.
That's where you'll also find these on-trend ficus plants...
And I wonder how many of you remember either having a spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) at home when you were growing up or in your student digs? With the houseplant revival and its nod towards the 1970s gathering speed, head to Arnott & Mason to stock up on them.
British Foliage
Guelder, with its chameleon quality of changing its leaf colour at this time of year, can be found at Porters Foliage.
They also have containers brimming full of tall callicarpa...
...and wild eucalyptus too.
Over at GB Foliage, standing upright to attention is variegated privet...
...plus pittosporum.
World Foliage
GB Foliage also have this much sought after Italian autumnal eucalyptus, with its stunning leaf markings!
Sundries
Back inside and have you seen these lovely green and black ceramic pots at The Flower Store?
They also have fabulous glass domes in varying sizes. Here's an example of a design which Rebecca Louise Law created using a similar dome.
Last, but not least, are these wonderful A-Z vintage metal letters, which you'll find at Quality Plants. They're much in demand for shop displays and signage at weddings and events. BABY, LOVE and XMAS are apparently popular choices.
Talking of Christmas... look out later this month for my Christmas Special Report covering flowers, foliage, plants and sundries for the festive season, all under one roof! You can also go here to find out the opening hours for the Market over the festive period.
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.
P.S. Did you see this sneak peek of the new New Covent Garden Flower Market, which is opening in February?
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