Buying flowers and plants from New Covent Garden Market
My recent styling projects and workshops have meant that i've been at New Covent Garden flower market fairly regularly and I wanted to write down my tips. I am not there weekly like some florists, but I have picked up a lot of tips over the last couple of years that i wish i’d known before I went.
This market is one of the cheapest places in London and possibly the South East to buy flowers. I expected the cheaper flowers, but I did not expect the huge bargain house plant section, which may or may not have prompted a little squeal from me when I first saw it.
I reckon this is the cheapest place for miles around to buy plants, even gorgeous massive mature ones.
It's great for parties or weddings.
This is the perfect place to buy flowers for a wedding, event or party (I have used it for this purposes on many occasions). The price is much cheaper and you generally buy in bulk; the price is for a bunch of stems normally. You kinda need to know what you're doing with flowers though- at least a bit- or have a friend who does.
Shopping tips for New Covent Garden Flower Market:
It's in Vauxhall
I know, I know, a little bit confusing. It used to be in Covent Garden but it moved to Vauxhall a few years ago, and then moved just around the corner to it’s existing site. Make sure you're going to the right place!
Make a list before you go
Make sure you make a list of exactly what you want/need before you go, remembering greenery. It can be a bit overwhelming when you get in there if you don't know what you want!
Get there early
It's open from midnight until 10am. The serious traders are there really early and things start packing up at 9. I recently went at 5am because i needed specific things. but i have been at 8.30 before and got what i needed for a smaller event. 8.30 is a good time to arrive and doesn't feel toooo antisocial. If you know you need very specific blooms, then get there even earlier.
Remember VAT
When you're totting up your flowers, the cost doesn't include VAT. I've been a wee bit stung by that one in the past. Use your phone's calculator if you need!
It's friendly
The traders are pretty much all really friendly and helpful. They've given me advice for plants and flowers that need to serve a specific purpose, conditioning etc. I often ask for a tally mid way through to check i’m on budget.
You will need Foliage
About 2/3rd of most bouquets is made up of greenery. Don't forget it!
Scan first before you buy
Walk round first before buying to make sure you’ve seen everything on offer. Don't rush.
Don't buy the first lovely flowers you see. Visit all the traders and ask for prices to compare. I keep a note on my phone to remember the prices.
You can't buy individual stems
This market is for buying a lot of flowers- it's rare to be able to buy individual stems. That said it would still be a nice place to visit if you wanted a largish bunch of flowers for your house (plus perhaps a bouquet for a friend or something). Eg, I like buying a large bunch of eucalyptus for my house when I'm there, for the princely sum of £3 per big bunch!
It's not pretty
It’s in a windowless industrial warehouse with harsh lighting. It is nowhere near as pretty as shopping on Columbia rd market- and doesn't have the fancy coffee shops either, but it's still enjoyable; it involves plants and flowers!
Bring or borrow a car or hire a taxi
Especially if you want plants. Armfuls of flowers can end up being surprisingly heavy. If you can't get a car then forget about the plants, but do bring some Ikea bags. They are really useful for carrying large bunches of flowers. The stems aren't trimmed so are often quite long- you could bring snips to make the stems shorter.
Don't rely on bargaining
In my experience, the traders aren't always that up for haggling on price, especially if you're just buying one bunch of stems from them. The prices are already pretty good. But if you're buying a lot from one trader, try asking for a deal if you buy it all. They are more receptive toward the end of the morning- around 9.30/10am. I sometimes get a bit of money off by doing this.
You'll need to condition the flowers
Flowers from a florist come conditioned; stems trimmed, lower foliage stripped etc. This ensures they stay at their best so don't forget to do this yourself when you get home. Trim the ends, strip off lower foliage (no foliage under the water or it rots). Give them fresh water and flower food, and refresh the water every day. You can keep delicate flowers wrapped in the plastic/paper they come into keep their shape and protect the heads.
Give the flowers time to open before your event
You're buying them at their freshest which sometimes mean the flower heads can be tightly closed. I mostly work around this and avoid the flowers with closed heads, but if you know you need roses, peonies etc to be open then you'll need to go 3 or 4 days before the event and be able to store them in a cool room. (I turn the radiator off in my utility room and crack open the window. )
What to buy apart from flowers:
Plants
Oh the plaaaaants! Arnott Mason have a great selection of houseplants for amazing prices. The lady who runs this (I forgot her name, sorry!) is really friendly and told me that a prominent British online plant seller currently has a waiting list for Ficus plants of over 100 people! Arnott Mason had tons for £12! Some other examples: a mature String of Pearls hanging plant for £25 (in shops they can go for over £80), and a mature Rhipsalis hanging plant for £35. The prices vary according to what they have and how big the plants are, and they are good quality too. The sellers can give tips on positioning and sunlight etc.
Pots and props and sundries.
This is also a great place to buy cheap pots if you need them. I got 4 large grey concrete looking pots for a total of about £40. They also sell loads of candle holders and vases for much cheaper than the high street. You can also buy floral wire, snips, secateurs, candles etc at wholesale prices.
For smaller events or bouquets for friends then try to support florists who use local growers, or The Great British Florist as they are grown here in Britain and more ethical than the stuff shipped in from abroad. But for larger events, or if you're on a budget then the wholesale market is probably your best option. So, if you love a good house plant, or have an event, wedding, dinner party or party to decorate for, or just fancy a wonder around an enormous warehouse full of plants and flowers, give it a visit!
