UK Easter trends: Traditional flowers with untraditional colors

It is spring and this is clearly visible at the New Convent Garden in London, UK. Currently, the market is filled with traditional spring flowers with untraditional colors. Over the years, many of these flowers have undergone some changes, regarding their color. "In the past you saw a lot of traditional colors on the market. Now, there is a move away from these traditional colored spring flowers as there is a high demand for different colours," says Helen Evans of the New Covent Garden Flower Market.

Outdoor daffodils from Cambridgeshire

If you're after muscari (grape hyacinths), you'll be really spoilt for choice variety-wise this month!

Change in color
The tulips, muscaris, forget me nots and the ranunculus, which are mainly imported from the Netherlands, are traditional spring flowers that have undergone some changes over the years. "For these varieties, the demand for different kind of colors increased. In the past, pastel colors for tulips, and traditional colors for the muscaris and forget me nots were popular. Now, we see an increasing demand for vibrant colored tulips and pastel colored muscaris and forget me nots," says Evans. For the ranunculus, not only the demand for different colors, but also the demand for different varieties increased. "I am amazed by the range and variety of ranunculus on the market at the moment. Over the years, the demand Cloni ranunculus and the ranunculus Pon-Pon Aurora increased. The Cloni ranunculus is very popular for weddings as people like a slightly more old fashioned look. A few years ago calla lilies were often used," she says

Salmon pink Cloni ranunculus are available at D G Wholesale Flowers.

Cappuccino ranunculus can be found at the Market, along with standard and Cloni varieties in a wide range of colours.

Easter
However, there is still a demand for traditional colors. The demand for the daffodils, a traditional spring flower, is high. And as Easter is around the corner, there are sightly more traditional flowers, like white lilies and yellow daffodils offered on the Market. However, according to Evans, Easter is not as big as it used to be in the UK. "More people are on holiday, so they do not buy that many flowers especially for this occasion. The daffodils are popular in general," she says.

Blossoms popular
Blossoms, like the magnolia, cherry, and pussy willow are also popular and increasingly in popularity. "More and more florists are using these blossoms as they have a soft texture and furry look," she says.

For more information
New Covent Garden Flower Market
Helen Evans
Email: helen.evans@cgma.co.uk
www.newcoventgardenmarket.com