With UK Mother's Day fast approaching (this year it falls on Sunday March 15th), a visit to New Covent Garden Flower Market is popular. From classic tulips and roses to long-lasting potted gifts, the Market's expert traders will ensure mums receive a gift that's as special as they are.
"Mother's Day is always a busy week for us, especially the Friday and Saturday," said Sam Hardcastle of Bloomfield Wholesale Florist Ltd. Unlike Valentine's Day, where red roses are always the best-selling flower, there isn't a specific Mother's Day flower or a dominant colour. However, Sam expects all the early blooming flowers will be in demand. "We'll sell lots of daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips in all colours. We've got a wonderful assortment of vibrant spring flowers with more choices than ever before, so you're guaranteed to find the perfect gift. All the pastel colours will be popular, especially pinks – if anything, that's the go-to Mother's Day shade."
© New Covent Garden MarketDG Wholesale's Dave Gibbs with Dutch tulips - ideal for a Mother's Day gift
It's a sentiment echoed by Dave Gibbs of DG Wholesale Flowers, who expects pink tulips to be a Mother's Day best-seller. "We always have a wonderful range of tulips, the best quality, in a choice of different colours," said Dave, who explains prices have risen this year but still offer great value. "The cost of importing tulips has risen over the past year as Dutch growers lost more than 30% of their stock due to the wet conditions over the winter months," explained Dave, "but they're still excellent value and a perfect gift for mums."
At Green & Bloom they're expecting a rush on the two days leading up to Mother's Day, as Terry Smith said: "We always see a big rise in sales just before the weekend and this year there are lots of spring flowers to choose from. I lost my mother recently and I know Mother's Day is very difficult for some people. Even when your mother has passed away, we still serve people buying flowers to place on graves and to help them remember their loved ones."
An alternative to cut stem flowers are potted plants, a versatile Mother's Day gift option. "Normally we'll sell plants in plastic pots, ready to be re-potted," said Ilo Bloom's Damien Waloch ,"but this year we're about to receive a delivery of beautiful potted plants that are ready to give as a perfect gift. If fact, any plant you'd like to give as a gift we can source from our growers across Europe."
