The RHS Chelsea Flower Show was recently on and London was literally in bloom. Everyone was getting in on the floral spirit, especially in the Chelsea neighborhood. Boutiques like Browns and Kate Spade in Sloane Square worked with top London florists decorating their storefronts with gorgeous fresh flowers to create bright scenes from Alice in Wonderland and larger than life pink flamingo’s.
Down the road on the other side of Chelsea, Matthew Williamson created a bohemian sanctuary in the tea garden at Blake’s hotel. A magical shower of hundreds of rainbow colored flowers hanging down from the gazebo ceiling, bright fuchsia peonies in Moroccan vases and wicker furnishings with chairs and pillows swaddled in his colorful MW floral prints, which he is so well known for. Everyone was feeling the flower power which got me thinking….
Who doesn’t love flowers? They can really cheer someone’s day up. I love buying flowers almost as much as I love receiving a special delivery of them. Sending an arrangement of flowers to someone is a romantic and elegant sign of love, thankfulness or celebration.
I have several times had a hard time finding the right florists in different cities on Google and found that a referral from someone local is always the best route. So if you’re planning on sending someone flowers in London anytime soon, I’ve already done the research for you.
My Top 5 Florists in London:
1. THE CHELSEA FLOWER STAND
A flower shop, which is actually not a shop but a gorgeous outdoor flower stand is open all year long rain or shine. This stand has been my local stop for flowers as it is conveniently located at the heart of my life in London. Popping by to collect a bunch makes me happy every time, the colors fill this corner in Chelsea beautifully even in the winter. Not only do they have some of the best flowers they also have some of the best holiday wreaths in town – there isn’t a year that we didn’t buy ours from here.
info@theflowerstandchelsea.com
Corner of Fulham Rd and Old Church St, London SW3 6HY
+44 (0) 207 3517 996
2. MCQUEENS
An east side florist for the last 20 years, that is sure to always impress and never let you down. Whether it is a £50 bespoke bouquet or you’re going for it with the £175 Amor arrangement McQueens is definitely one of the top florists in town.
enquiries@mcqueens.co.uk
70-72 Old Street, London EC1V 9AJ
+44 (0)20 7251 5505
3. WILD AT HEART
With a couple locations, my personal favorite being the concession that makes the entrance to one of my favorite London department stores magical. Over the last 20 years Nikki Tibbles has solidified her role as the florist to be called upon for the most social of London events.
The selection of flowers is always exquisite, although on the high price side, the presentation and quality are tops. One note: make sure you ask them to hold the eucalyptus in your arrangement as this foliage is one of their favorites. but I’d rather go without it.
E: island@wildatheart.com
222 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RH
T: +44(0) 20 7727 3095
4. SCARLET & VIOLET
Natural and romantic are two ways to describe owner, Vic Brotherson’s aesthetic.
Scarlet & Violet is quite possibly, the most original and outwardly carefree, florist on this list. A go to florist for all cool North Londoners, having done Kate Moss’s wedding, Scarlet & Violet knows and does boho chic like know one else.
info@scarletandviolet.co.uk
76 Chamberlayne Road, London NW10 3JJ
+44 (0) 20 8969 9446
5. ROB VAN HELDEN
My husband discovered Rob Van Helden on his own here in London and every birthday and Mothers Day my ‘all white’ floral arrangement comes from here. Note: strict instructions to husband when peonies are out of season to only buy white flower arrangements when surprising me as that is my second favorite kind of bouquet plus no matter the flower, you can’t really mess up white flowers.
orders@rvhfloraldesign.com
8 Tun Yard, Peardon Street, London SW8 3HT
+44 (0) 20 7720 6774
