Monday, April 7, 2014

New Covent Garden Flower Market

If Eliza Doolittle was alive today, she wouldn't be peddling flowers from a cart at Covent Garden.
Instead, she would be running a wholesale business at the New Covent Garden Market.

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

From medieval times, Covent Garden was a place where fruit, veg and flowers were sold.
In the 1970's, the massive market was moved to Vauxhall which is where you will now find the 
largest Fruit & Veg Market and Flower market in the UK.

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

I was lucky enough to be invited to bring my camera along for a stroll around the flower market
with a group of bloggers and journalists. How could I resist?

75% of London florists get their cut flowers, plants and sundries from this market.
And not just florists, but designers and decorators all know that this is the place to be.
Trading starts at 3 am on weekdays and 4am on Saturdays and is done by 10am.

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

Don't expect to walk in and buy a few stems of roses, this is big business and high volumes.
Some of the 20+ wholesalers that you find here have been in the business for generations.
You will find the most beautiful fresh flowers from the UK and around the world.

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

But first, a quick stop at the cafe for a coffee and bacon butty.
We must keep our energy up as we explore the acres of flowers. 

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

Once we started our tour, I couldn't put my camera down.  So many colors and textures, not to mention the smells.
Every flower that you can imagine in one climate controlled space, under one massive roof.

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

Wait a minute... What's this?
"Oh, that's our 'cheeky calendar'.  It was to raise money for charity.  All these guys work here."
Oh, really?

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

Flowers. 

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

Blossoms & blooms.

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

Mr. February!!!!

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

Cheeky is right!  Back to the flowers.

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

I wonder if these guys were in the calendar.  They look pretty cheeky.

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

It was a fabulous place and the best part was the people.
No, not just because they were willing to pose in the buff for a good cause.
But, it felt like a family.  Everyone was passionate about flowers.

New Covent Garden Flower Market, London

Even the trash bins were beautiful.
How could you not be happy when you worked in this amazing place?

And don't think I left there without my very own cheeky calendar.

What is your favorite cut flower?



20 comments:

  1. Love the calendar!! Those two do indeed look cheeky :p

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  2. I wish we had a flower market here! I love peonies so much, and ranunculus!

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  3. I bet the smell was heavenly! The colors look amazing :) I'm a peonies girl myself, but pretty much anything bright makes me happy!

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  4. Selena, this looks like so much fun! Gotta love a job that people seem to love so much. And why not be surrounded by beauty as well? Thanks for the glimpse behind the scenes. (Hope your own new job is going great too!!) xx

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  5. Great photos, Selena! I'd love to go to the new Covent Garden Market. Something else to add to the "must-do list"!

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  6. The flowers are beautiful and Mr. February is quite special, but honestly, you had me at 'bacon butty'. x

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  7. Globetrotter PostcardsApril 12, 2014 at 3:23 AM

    Such stunning colours! If up ever up at 3am, i'll know where to go :)

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  8. I think that I need to start buying fresh flowers to keep in the house. They make me smile. :D

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  9. Gotta love a bacon butty. Best thing for a hangover. Or so I'm told.

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  10. So many places to go so little time. Hampton Court and Kews Garden are at the top of my Spring list.

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  11. Thanks for the well wishes, Jess. I'm still liking it which is great. I loved visiting the flower market. So many beautiful flowers. You can imagine the smells. :D

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  12. I love peonies, too. They're so romantic looking.

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  13. Tulips are so beautiful. The gardens at Buckingham are full of them. So bright!

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  14. I should start buying flowers more often. They certainly brighten up a place.

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  15. I wanted to take one of each and make a massive bouquet!!

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  16. The calendar is too cute. It's a fun place.

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  17. I loved the thistle, so unique. And the roses were lovely.

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