Written by Rona Wheeldon
March 01, 2018
This month, in addition to Mother's Day on March 11th, just a few days earlier on March 8th, it's International Women's Day! So, to help you with your planning for your next visit to the Flower Market, have a browse through this latest report featuring a selection of our seasonal flowers, foliage, plants and sundries.
With the weather turning decidedly chilly this week and snow falling in some parts of the UK, it's a little hard to believe that March 1st heralds the start of meteorological spring! But it's definitely around the corner as spring blooms including homegrown snowflakes, Leucojum aestivum, are in plentiful supply at Zest Flowers.
British Flowers
At Pratley, there's virtually every variety in the Narcissus family you could ever wish for! Look out for popular 'Bestseller', pictured below, plus Carlton, Saint Keverne, Tamar Fire, Golden Harvest, Kerenza, Tamara and Ice Follies.
And, whilst you're there, if you're after amazingly scented blooms, well, you really can't go wrong with these Narcissi, 'Soleil d'Or' and 'Hugh Town' from the Scilly Isles.
World Flowers
An alternative spring fragrance can be found in the form of hyacinths. And, with their soft pink hue, Hyacinthus orientalis 'China Pink' are perfect for a Mother's Day bouquet.
With the variety name 'Mistral Cenere', these incredibly beautiful anemones are going down an absolute storm at Bloomfield! They were even featured in a stunning bouquet by Gee at Bloom and Burn for a very special lady recently. Take a look...
A font of floral knowledge, especially with top tips about how to care for your flowers once you've bought them, is the wonderful Leigh at Bloomfield. So, make a beeline for him, if you're in need of advice.
Another ideal flower for a Mother's Day hand-tied is this gorgeous lilac, Syringa vulgaris 'Sensation', with its bi-coloured petals. You'll find it at Zest Flowers.
Have you seen this incredible new variety of scabious before? Aptly named due to its luxurious, velveteen petal texture, it's called Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Red Velvet Scoop' and it's available at DG Wholesale Flowers.
Ranunculus, in a myriad of shades, continue to be in plentiful supply. Check out this vibrant variety called 'Elegance Hot Pink' at Dennis Edwards Flowers.
A sure sign that spring is on its way is the arrival of fritillaries at New Covent Garden Market. Just how majestic is this variety with its amazing petals called Fritillaria imperialis 'Orange Sweet'? By the way, if you missed it first time around, do take a read of our Fritillaries Product Profile.
And if you read our Hottest Floral Trends for 2018 report earlier this year, you'll know that peach and apricot blooms are pipped to be popular on the wedding flowers scene. And what more perfect a bloom than these 'Avalanche Peach' roses?
Or alternatively how about these scented apricot stocks, Matthiola incana, at DG Wholesale Flowers? Both would also be spot on for March 8th and 11th designs.
The limited seasonal availability of Fritillaria meleagris, also known as snake's head fritillary, makes this dainty flower with its chequerboard petal pattern just all the more special. You'll also find Fritillaria persica and Fritillaria uva-vulpis at Nine Elms this month.
If you're looking to add a pop of yellow to arrangements, how about mimosa, Acacia dealbata?
And how lovely is it to see Viburnum opulus 'Roseum' also known as guelder rose now in plentiful supply? It's a sure way of adding a touch of zingy, freshness to a design.
British Foliage
There really is nothing quite like the seasonal British foliage that you find at New Covent Garden Market! Containers full of tall Cotoneaster can be found at Porters Foliage.
Whilst head to GB Foliage for homegrown Elaeagnus, with its glossy dark green leaves edged with pale yellow.
Talking of glossy leaves, Magnolia is also available at our foliage specialists.
And it's so exciting to see that Prunus blossom is starting to trickle in! Look out for white and pink, single and double...
British Plants
An explosion of colourful plants can be found at L Mills. How wonderful are these cheerful Polyanthus?
World Plants
If it's on-trend hanging plants you're on the look-out for, our plant wholesalers have most certainly come up trumps! At Quality Plants, there's Aeschynanthus pulcher 'Mona Lisa' also known as lipstick plant.
Whilst at Arnott & Mason, you'll find Syngonium podophyllum, with its virtually Millennial pink leaves! And if you're wondering, yes, this soft colour continues to be a real hit.
Every time I see these plants at the Flower Market, I remember the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding as lily of the valley, Convallaria majalis, featured in their breath-taking wedding flower designs, created by Shane Connolly. You'll find trolley loads brimming with these beautifully scented plants at Evergreen this month.
That's where you'll also find these striking Dicksonia antarctica plants, with their arching fronds.
Sundries
Have you seen the new stock at The Flower Store, part of Bloomfield? Kim has very aptly named these fabulous fluted green ceramic pots as 'cabbage pots'!
And with the rustic, vintage look still being very much on-trend, these terracotta Provence bowls are proving to be very popular!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this month's 'In Season' blog. It really is a very small snapshot of just some of the flowers, foliage, plants and sundries you can expect to see on your next visit. Here's hoping all goes well for you for International Women's Day and Mother's Day!
P.S. Don't forget to follow our @marketflowers Instagram account for regular news and behind the scenes images from the Flower Market.
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