Written by Rona Wheeldon
February 01, 2018
This year's Valentine's Day falling on a Wednesday promises to be a wonderful boon for florists. And you'll be spoilt for choice this month when it comes to stunning red rose varieties at New Covent Garden Market!
As well as the much sought-after, lightly-scented 'Red Naomi' above, there are plenty more choices available, whether you decide to go down the traditional red rose path or go 'off-piste' with pink, white, orange, yellow or even lilac like Bloomsbury Flowers! Read on to discover more...
British Flowers
Homegrown tulips can be found in abundance at Pratley and they're perfect as an alternative Valentine's bouquet, either in romantic red or passionate pink!
Or how about dainty anemones arranged together with a selection of other pretty seasonal blooms?
There are also boxes upon boxes of bright sunshine yellow daffodils to be found at the market this month, including varieties such as 'Carlton', 'Golden Harvest' and 'Fortune'.
World Flowers
Traders are unanimous that 'Red Naomi' is going to be popular again for February 14th. Although Hearts, pictured below, is also set to be high up on the florist's red rose list.
And you may like to consider 'El Toro' with its medium-sized head. It's available at Bloomfield.
Or for something a little more quirky, there's 'Red Eye', with its bright red petals surrounding a green centre.
Other red roses to consider are 'Freedom' from Colombia and Kenya, and 'Rhodos' a budget-friendly imported Kenyan rose with a good head size. Plus there's 'Red Paris', 'Grand Prix', 'Explorer' and 'Black Baccara' and lots more mentioned in this special report on Red Roses.
Florists are already starting to place their orders for their Valentine's Day choices. If you'd also like to make sure that you have everything sorted in advance, it's best to give the traders as much notice as possible.
These red tulips, 'Rococo Double', at Zest Flowers are set to be in demand this month, as well as the 'Red Princess' variety.
And what better way to complement red roses in a hand-tied than with this Skimmia japonica 'Rubella'?
Anemones are a wonderful seasonal choice for Valentine's designs. And they feature in this beautiful bouquet from Wild at Heart's range. By the way, did you know that Wild at Heart, together with thirteen other floristry businesses is currently advertising vacancies on our Florists Job Board?
It really is 'Hellebore Heaven' at the Flower Market this month! Helleborus argutifolius, with its longer stem length, can be found in plentiful supply, together with bunches of shorter stemmed pink, purple and white hellebores.
Ranunculus Pon-Pon is back with this white and green petalled variety called 'Igloo' at Dennis Edwards Flowers. Plus there's a pale pink Pon-Pon called 'Mignon' too. This month, you'll continue to find a huge array of other ranunculus types at the traders' stands, both standard and cloni. And just how stunning is this gorgeous 2018 Valentine's offering from Rebel Rebel featuring primrose yellow cloni ranuncs?
At A Goodchild (Floral Garden Group), you'll find this unusual green variety of ranunculus.
Muscari armeniacum, also known as grape hyacinth, is starting to come in at Nine Elms. Do have a read of this special Muscari report for details of more varieties of this quintessential spring bloom.
Dried flowers, and in particular helichrysum, appear to be having a renaissance! And they're flying off the shelves at Porters Foliage.
By the way, have you heard about Grace & Thorn's new 'Some Things Do Last Forever' Dried Wedding Flowers Collection?
British Foliage
Head to our foliage specialists for homegrown magnolia in bud.
That's where you'll also find pussy willow, together with prunus blossom and ribes (flowering currant).
Visit GB Foliage for this extra tall British rhododendron foliage. Perfect for a big event, it's at least 10ft high!
Look out too for large leaf eucalyptus, ideal for urn and pedestal arrangements.
British Plants
Just how incredible is this plant at L Mills? Aptly named Primula acaulis 'Zebra Blue' with its blue and white striped petals, Bob refers to the variety simply as ‘Zebra’. It’s great for adding a splash of colour to containers.
World Plants
Always a welcome sight, reminding us that spring it on its way, are dainty snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis). You'll find them available at Evergreen.
Craig at Quality Plants has an ever-growing extensive range of houseplants, in every manner of leaf shape and plant size! Whether you're looking for Polyscias, Sansevieria or Ficus elastica, pop by his stand and he'll be to assist you with all your greenery requirements.
Perfect for the current trend for hanging plants are these Rhipsalis pulchra.
Have you seen these plants called Begonia maculata at Arnott & Mason before? With green leaves freckled with silvery-white spots, they're also known as Spotted Begonia and Trout Begonia!
Sundries
Just arrived in at C Best are these fabulous ceramic vases.
And they've also had a recent delivery of these wonderful blue glass vases in a range of different sizes. Plus a new brown glass collection of vases too.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this month's 'In Season' report. It features just a small snapshot of some of the flowers, foliage, plants and sundries you can expect to see at the Flower Market. If you're a new florist and would like a free introductory tour of the market, please do get in touch. We'd love to show you around!
P.S. If you hear banter about football this month, it may be as a result of the traders' football game tomorrow lunchtime at Millwall - The Under 30s v The Over 30s!
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