1. Belgravia in Bloom has partnered up with The London Wildlife Trust to celebrate this year’s Into the Wild themed festival.
To support the London’s Wildlife Trust’s mission to boost biodiversity and inspire Londoners to connect with nature, Belgravia in Bloom is encouraging visitors to learn more about creatures great and small through a series of pop-ups and events.
Visitors can stop by the London Wildlife Trust’s hedgehog van in Eccleston Yards between 11am and 4pm on Saturday 27 May and Sunday 28 May to make their own seed bombs to support biodiversity in their own gardens. The charity is also ensuring that Belgravia in Bloom’s floral installations are created using even more biodiversity-boosting plants and flowers this year.
2. Sustainability is at the heart of this event and the majority of the flowers and artwork will be donated to local hospices, schools and some of the community gardens.
3. Big-name Belgravia florist Neill Strain Floral Couture‘s eco-friendly floral display features flowers sourced from highly rated growers in Holland who prioritise sustainability in their business practices. The florist will not be using floral foam, a micro plastic, in their designs. Instead, they are using plants that will provide a habitat for insects and bees to flourish.
4. Major florist Moyses Stevens is also using natural materials in its display and will be avoiding floral foam. The main structure of the installation will be used again.
5. Eco-friendly paint specialists Edward Bulmer Natural Paint‘s floral display will include flowers grown in Edward’s garden in Herefordshire or foraged from nearby hedgerows, while window boxes are made from salvaged wood from Edward’s home. When Belgravia in Bloom ends, the plants will be transferred to a courtyard garden so there will be no wastage.
6. Pastel-pink cafe Peggy Porschen’s floral display on Elizabeth Street is only using silk flowers and all parts of the display will be reused where possible. Independent perfumery Les Senteurs is also using fake flowers which can be used multiple times.
7. All flowers used in Judith Blacklock Flower School’s installation on Kinnerton will be British grown. The trees are being sourced from the UK and the floral birds are being created from plant material. When Belgravia in Bloom finishes, the structure will be moved to the Forest School in Belgrave Square, who will use it as part of a scheme for local children to learn more about nature and horticulture.
8. Catherine Best‘s Elizabeth Street display is only using live plants which can be used and enjoyed after Belgravia in Bloom is over. The shop will not be using any plastic foliage.
9. Papouelli is also using fresh flowers and recyclable material as much as possible.
10. Bayley & Sage and its sister homeware brand Abode is aiming to use sustainable British flowers and plans to use their displays in stores after Belgravia in Bloom to minimise waste.
11. On the Pimlico Road, Cox London is creating a wildflower installation using British flowers; while Chelsea Textiles‘ installation is incorporating indigenous UK flowers, many of which will be replanted after the event. All structural elements of the display are being made using natural materials, including recycled wood and tree roots.
12. The Orange pub is creating a carbon-neutral display in partnership with luxury florist Aamarante, who only use ethically sourced, seasonal flowers from B-corp and fair trade farms. The brightly coloured display is not only eye-catching but also serves as a reminder of the crucial role that pollinators play in our ecosystem.
13. The Daylesford Organic display is only using British-grown flowers and recyclable materials. Where possible, the shop is using bee-friendly flowers and plants sourced from its organic market garden on its farm.
14. In Eccleston Yards, Biscuiteers is also only using British-grown flowers, while steak restaurant The Jones Family Kitchen is only using recyclable materials and flowers grown by them or their UK florist. Restaurant Wild by Tart‘s installation is also incorporating seasonal British flowers and foliage.
15. The Lanesborough is only using British-grown flowers and will donate parts of the installation to local hospices when the flower festival ends.
16. Enjoy exclusive access to Belgrave Square Garden during Belgravia in Bloom. Experience the biodiversity of this beautiful private garden that’s normally closed to the public. Entry is free. 27 May.
