I just happened to be passing this florists shop in Islington, north London and could not resist taking some photographs of the lovely display of flowers. It was a typical dark and rainy autumn afternoon and these flowers really brightened up my day.

The interior of the shop was quite small but the owners had utilized a courtyard area in front of their shop for this impressive display. Each bouquet of flowers was displayed sitting in a tin bucket. The grey colour of the buckets and the dark cobblestones of the courtyard provide a lovely contrast to the colours of the flowers.

I thought that the quality of the flowers and design of each of these bouquets was excellent. So attractive.

Each bouquet had a different colour theme and mixture of interesting blooms.

The white bouquet is very elegant but I also loved the dark pink one behind it with the lilies. The exotic green plant in the front bouquet is not native to England. I often see it in florists but I don't know what it is called.

It started to pour with rain as I took these photos but it did make the flowers look even more fresh and lovely, even if it did not have the same effect on me!

The large mauve flower in this bunch is not a rose but an ornamental cabbage. They have become popular in Britain in the last few years. People buy them in pots to provide winter interest for their window boxes. You often see them but I still think they look a little strange.

Islington is an interesting area of north London. There have a small antiques market early on Wednesday and Saturday mornings and also a small area of posh ( and expensive) antiques shops. It is a trendy area with a good selection of shops and cafes. 

Behind the shops there are some elegant streets of large Georgian houses, which are popular as they make very beautiful homes. The rooms have high ceilings and large windows. 

Often these houses have 3 or 4 floors including the basements and attics which used to be the servants quarters. Our former Prime Minister Tony Blair used to live in one of these houses before he moved into his official residence in Downing Street.

Most of the florists in London obtain their supplies from a large wholesale market in south London. They get up really early in the morning to go and find the freshest and most beautiful flowers. Many of the flowers are grown in greenhouses, either in this country or in Holland. Nowadays many flowers are also flown in overnight from all over the world.

You don't have to buy a bouquet of mixed blooms if you don't want to. It is possible just to buy a bunch of any of the flowers. I think I'll have some of the lilies. Their scent is so lovely.

The address of this florists is  Dansk Florists, St Mary's Vicarage, Upper Street, Islington, London N1. Telephone 0207 354 5120.

If you are ever in Islington just head north along the main street (Upper Street)  from the shopping area and it is easy to find on the right, next to a big church.