Flower Power, Both Sides of the Atlantic!
As you’ve been enjoying a lovely, sunny, and warm preview of summer in Alexandria, I’ve been experiencing April showers in London.
But these April showers are producing the most gorgeous spring flowers! So I decided to explore a local flower market called Columbia Road in East London, and was I ever inspired with so many possibilities for my daughter’s wedding! Columbia Road was named in honor of the heiress and philanthropist Angela Burdett Coutts, a pioneer in social housing who founded Columbia Market in 1869 as a Saturday Trading Market. But over time, the Saturday Trading Market began to lapse, while the Flower Market continued to evolve. And, OH MY! I just couldn’t help smiling when I entered this venue…with rows of fresh cut flowers staring at me with such personality, tempting me to purchase one bunch after the next.
Such a buzz of energy at Columbia Road, with trading beginning early in the morning and going nonstop until closing. Happy faces, passionate vendors, heavenly fragrances, and brilliant colors surrounding me. I had to contain myself, as I knew I could only fit so much in a black cabbie.
Next up, creating beautiful arrangements and choosing the right vases to display them in. If I were back in Alexandria, I’d head right over to Coco Blanca to find the perfect vase and a gorgeous umbrella!
So it may not be convenient for you to experience Columbia Road, but you can easily get inspired by attending the 83rd Annual Alexandria Historic Homes and Garden Tour this Saturday!
And for more flower power inspiration, did you know the ticket for this tour also includes admission to other nearby gardens including the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden as well as George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens? Yes! Embrace spring, grab an umbrella to be ready for those April showers, and feast your eyes on Monet-worthy gardens throughout beautiful Alexandria.
- About the boutique
Using the soothing color palette of a coconut by the sea—whites, neutrals and splashes of turquoise—Coco Blanca has created a trademark look. Her lifestyle boutique offers expert solutions for home design and women’s fashion—blending a clean, fresh, sophisticated, feel-good style.
210 South Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.535.8002
