Even on vacation Posy Gang only has eyes for flowers

Well I just got home from an incredible week spent exploring London, England. Land of the Queen, David Austin roses, and Monty Don. Spring has already sprung there in balmy zone 9. Camellias and other flowering shrubs are all on the verge of exploding into colour; everywhere I walked there were geraniums, pansies, and mini-cyclamen in planters and window boxes. So, so jelly.

Yup, the first things I unpacked were my TFM totebag and clippers.

I think this might be Japanese Quince. Be still my heart!!!!!

Not surprisingly, in London, English ivy is a recurring theme. There are so many varieties. Even though it's invasive, I'm a bit in love. We'll save it for containers.

I haven't forgotten that the inspiration behind the Toronto Flower Market was London's Columbia Road Flower Market. Obviously it was one of the highlights of my trip. The market happens every Sunday on a short stretch of road absolutely packed with market stalls, flowers, and people. I walked up and down about 10 times taking it all in. It was hard not to freak out. I freaked out.

My face the whole time.

I ended up choosing a bunch each of bupleurum, tuberose, and dried lavender. The man I bought the tuberose from had labeled them "Tudor Rose" which I thought was a delightful play on words. I couldn't tell if he really thought tuberose was called Tudor rose but I don't care.

Note to self: congratulations on remembering to bring your clippers all the way to England - next time bring some clear tape, and try to find a better vessel to use than a pot! Also glad you had some self control at the market, but a handful of lilies or roses woulda looked nice nestled in all that bupleurum!

This was at Camden Garden Centre. Primo nursery with a nice cafe upstairs. In the next aisle over there was a rack of Sarah Raven-branded seeds. Did you know she trained originally as a medical doctor years and years ago?

My eyes are full of flowers now. That taste of spring was exactly what I needed to slingshot me into my first season. Back to wedding quotes now - let me at'em!! 

Talk soon <3