The flower stalls on the corners of the busiest streets in London soften the blow of a bustling and active city. Our friend Maureen Walker has picked me up at 5:00 AM on several occasions to take me to the Covent Garden Flower Market to see all the truck loads of flowers which have been flown in from all over Europe, especially from Holland. Being a gardener who loves his flowers, I can hardly take it all in: the orchid merchants, the lilies, the amazing roses, the magnificent selection of tulips, and of course the primroses. Within a couple of hours, the flowers are on the street corners for busy Londoners to take to the office or home to their partners. We all remember “My Fair Lady” and the important role of the flower sellers in Covent Garden, central London. It is the same story all over the city. On the King’s Road, near Sydney Street, there is the most amazing stall/cart. Each spring, he has tulips and hyacinths in pots which will dazzle the eyes. I am in London always in February, and the first thing I do is head for this stall to buy my bulbs to “smell up” the house for my visit. I love the hyacinths which warm up in the house and begin to send out the most beautiful fragrance. Visiting a friend for dinner causes one to think about a gift to bring along for the hosts. A bottle of wine? Maybe OK. A bouquet of flowers? Perfect. In February, I went into Peter Jones to buy some fabric for one of our hall chairs–the Alexandra pattern, fabulous–and left the department store out the north door. Of course, I ran right into the store’s florist who is always creating the most amazing arrangements. If I have been clicking flicks on a walk, I never fail to include this lovely flower shop. London and its flower stalls–Oh my goodness! Gorgeous. The only thing better is a rose garden in Gloucestershire in June when you put your whole face in a bunch of rose on the rock wall–careful of the thorns!
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
