London Flowers

When I am in London I cannot resist looking around some flower shops and stalls. I am particularly pleased to see this step-ladder looking so pretty outside Chivers on Charlotte Street, and take it as a good omen. The previous evening I had been discussing with friends what we are going to do this year for the rugby club ball (has to be highish, easy for all the helpers to decorate, not need too many flowers AND not get knocked over in the scrum for the bar), Val had hit upon old wooden step-ladders painted pink covered in flowers, plus some trellising and terracotta pots. Perfect.

Flowers are blooming everywhere; in shop windows and on pretty cotton skirts and dresses.
At Liberty I fall into conversation with Chris who has been a florist here for many years. In fact when the concession recently changed hands he decided to change too; "I'm like a cat" he tells me "I come with the building!"
The posies Chris and the staff have prepared are a beautiful mix of summer colours. It seems like a bit of the country has been gathered up and scattered amongst the passing taxis and shoppers.

I wish you could smell these roses! They are Italian garden roses and have a deep and sweet, musky scent that is intoxicating. And what a luscious colour!
Chris directs me to a large enamel bucket of Madonna Lilies. He explains that this is the variety that has been featured by artists for centuries. When you see their tall elegant stems

and small beautifully curved flower heads you realise you have seen them many times before in books and paintings. I am taken back to a small church yard in the Lake District where I once photographed a gravestone that appeared to have been draped with a mass of lilies - now grey and moss covered - but the carvings still unmistakable as Madonna lilies.
And of course I have to photograph this wonderful hydrangea. It's head appears to be made up of pink and green buttons. Very Liberty!

Having drunk in the flowers I decide to to do a little bit of shopping and it is impossible to visit Liberty without at least browsing in the chocolate department. I choose this very pink and elegant chocolate bar for my daughter Libby who has just published her first book; Love Pink - a celebration of all things girly and pink. If you would like to see more of her book you can look on our website www.fanahanbooks.com or follow her blog www.lovepinklibbypage.blogspot.com