I’m the kind of person that thinks cut flowers are a waste of money. I follow a tight budget (I'm sure I will write more about this on another post) so rarely do I indulge in such luxuries.
There were always flowers in my childhood home. I think I thought, as nice as they were, flowers were a luxury that I might be able to afford one day – when I had more free cash (when that day comes). Recently the BF presented me with a bouquet of cream roses to celebrate an anniversary, and although I shed a tear because I actually really like flowers, no one, aside from my mum had ever bought me flowers, I was disappointed at how quickly they passed over to the bin.
I’d been told a few years ago, by my BFF (Best French Friend) about a flower market in the East End, and I had to go and see what it was like. I even, to the surprise of many that know me, took out £20 to make some purchases (to truely appreciate the experience).
The Sunday flower market at Colombia Road in the heart of ‘trendy’ east London is well known to locals, Londoners and tourists alike. It is definitely the type of the place that is listed in a Lonely Planet or Eyewitness guide to London - a secret part of London that everyone actually knows about, but leaves it to the tourists (like the Notting Hill market – once visited and resolved never again)…
It is not easy to plan visits to something that has such a specific opening time. The market is only open 8am to 2pm on Sundays. given that I average around 2 weekends in London every month, and that I, despite my mildly hungover head, I was determined to go this Sunday, and I even roped my flatmate in to coming with me.
Having grabbed the essential takeaway coffee before entering the market (and having secreted some cash from the machine), we braced ourselves – even at 9.30 am the market was pretty busy.
What was my impression?
I had 5 key takeaways:
1. Everyone in London who has just a smidge of interest in anything floral related should visit this market.
There are so many reasons to go. Not least because there is actually a good range of perennial plants at decent prices. There is also a good range of flowers, all seasonal of course. Going mid August, sunflowers were in abundance. Most stalls were selling them – and mostly at the same price, however, I found them difficult to keep. There were also plenty of gladioli, fresias, irises, peonies and lilies and roses. Compared to supermarket flower shopping, probably get more choice but for a broadly similar price unless you are willing to buy more than one ‘packet.’
2. I need to go to the gym. My arms suffered somewhat from carrying the flowers all the way home.
I am not a florist. I bought lovely flowers at the market, but rather let myself down by buying 10 stems of Agapanthus which were clearly on their way out. They were £2 - so I should have smelt a rat. Additionally when I got home I realized I had bought too many flowers for the vase I had in mind – I am sharing the display with you.
4. An obvious one, but go to markets early in the morning Like all well loved markets, the further the day, the busier it gets. Living in London for the past 6 years, I am increasingly impatient with people that don’t keep moving. I know it’s irrational, but if you suffer with the same plague, GO EARLY!
5. Google how to prolong the flowers' life. I was so pleased with my purchases, I wanted the flowers to last as long as possible. I learnt three new tips (new to me) for prolonging life, including cutting the stems under water. Additional tips included putting something acidic (vinegar/lemon juice) and some sugar with the flowers. 5 days down the line and my flowers are largely still alive if not a bit smelly!