Two benches, one railway arch
Anthos is Greek for flower. We are a small studio under the arches on Mare Street: two benches, a cold room that hums all night, and a wall of zinc buckets. We make the day’s bouquets, a handful of weddings, and the weekly subscriptions.
The florists
Between us we have trained in Kew’s glasshouses, run a market stall in Columbia Road and spent a winter learning to wire buttonholes in Amsterdam. Everyone who works here does every job: the 5:40 start, the sweeping, the deliveries.
Seasonal only, grown close
Nothing is flown in. If it is not growing in Britain this week, we do not sell it. That means no roses in February, and it means the October dahlias are worth the wait.
- Fernhill Flowersdahlias, cosmos, scabiousEssex · 34 miles
- Ash Lane Nurserygarden roses, astrantiaKent · 41 miles
- Wildacrerosehips, copper beech, nerinesHertfordshire · 28 miles
- Tregew Farmeucalyptus, pittosporumCornwall · by rail
From the market to the last sweep
The market
Two of us at the growers’ market before it opens, buying by the bucket.
Conditioning
Every stem stripped, cut and stood in deep cold water.
The bench
Shop bouquets first, then subscriptions, then wedding work.
Last orders
Same-day orders close. Cards are written by hand.
Bicycles
Deliveries go out in crates, in water, until the round is done.
Sweep
Stems to compost, buckets scrubbed, cold room checked.
- Rule i
Nothing flown in
Every stem is grown in Britain. When something is out of season, we wait.
- Rule ii
No floral foam
Moss, chicken wire and reusable frogs. Everything goes to compost.
- Rule iii
Paid fairly
We pay growers the price they set, and everyone at the studio the London Living Wage or more.
The studio
Come in. The door is usually propped open with a bucket, and you can choose your own stems from the cold room and watch them tied. Arch 14, Mare Street, London E8. Tuesday to Saturday, 8 until 6.
