Hidden horticulture: the plant centre down an alleyway

Next time you’re in London, get yourself onto the Bakerloo line and alight at Warwick Avenue, because I’ve got a surprise for you.. and it’s the most special example of ‘hidden horticulture’!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Clifton Nurseries. This plant-soaked paradise has been nestling behind the Victorian homes of Little Venice since 1851. We are so used to plant centres and nurseries being down country roads, or even worse, sitting on concrete platforms in DIY stores. Clifton is different, and accessible only by a narrow passageway between 2 houses. You might never have known it was there!

This ain’t no identikit plant range either. Each plant is specially selected. The site is a real plantsman paradise, and has just the right amount of ‘other items’ too, i.e. bespoke giftware, quality tools and a whole load of funky pots!

My favourite area was the indoor section and, thanks to a personalised tour by the effervescent Wendy, I  was given ‘access all areas’. The staff really know what they’re talking about too, as we happily chatted those zeitgeist specimens such as terrariums and kokedama! They had some damn nice ferns too! Oh, and the hanging plants, I have always LOVED hanging plants!

Of course, there is a cafe! But, not just any old cafe, this is the Quince Tree! I devoured TWO healthy, freshly made juices, some earl grey tea AND a charity salad (is there such a thing?? why yes, and it’s in aid of Greenfingers!)

Sooooo… why not go and explore!! Keep an eye on my ‘hidden horticulture’ blog tag too, there’s more to come. Equally, if you know of any great examples of ‘hidden horticulture’, then please leave me a comment and I’ll see if I can cover them in a future blog piece!