Blog: Explore greenery in London with Alyson Mowat

Alyson Mowat is our green goddess. She doesn’t follow flowering trends; she makes them! So with this in mind, if you can’t make it to one of her Indytute classes (but you really should) it makes sense to grab a copy of her new book, which is all about Terrariums and Kokedamas. Alyson is always seeking out the spots that make London one of the greenest cities in the world: here are her favourite places to visit if you want to fire and inspire your indoor planting schemes. 

Alyson Mowat

Petersham Nursery Supper Club:

My boyfriend recently surprised me to a delightful evening of dining by candlelight amongst ferns and foliage in the glasshouse restaurant at Petersham Nursery. They are usually only open for lunch so check their website for supper club dates.

Barbican Conservatory:

I find the bustling city irresistible. There’s nowhere better to explore the cracks, crevices, fissures and faults, where nature intrudes into the sharp lines of cement blocks. Plants and concrete butt against one another, constantly testing each other’s boundaries. One of my favourite places to visit in London is the conservatory at the Barbican. This hidden gem juxtaposes Brutalist architecture with lush, green foliage.

Barbican Conservatory. 

Spitalfields Antique Market (Thursday):

Old scientific flasks, apothecary jars and glassware labelled 'poison'; perfect for some of my bespoke orders. Also a treasure trove of crystals and fossils to include in my terrariums.

Herbarium at Kew:

I highly recommend that you spend a day behind the scenes in this magnificent building. Founded in 1853, the herbarium is one of the largest in the world with over 7 million preserved specimens that stand reference for the identity of plants. The collection, representing all continents, is still growing and its care is undertaken with great precision.

New Covent Garden Flower Market (Mon-Sat):

Supplying 75% of London florists, I'm usually to be found here amongst the foliage on a morning. (On a Sunday, enjoy a stroll alongside the flower market on Columbia Road.)

N1 Nursery:

Finally, I have to mention the N1 garden centre. It’s close to my studio and always handy for supplies and inspiration.

Feeling inspired? Why not join Alyson's Succulent Wreath Christmas Workshop.