West Hampstead Gold medal winning florists In The Garden

Located on the corner of Broomsleigh Street, it overflows with flowers and plants for in and out-of-doors, some of them attractively presented in the ceramic pickings of second-hand stalls.

I first encountered this enterprising family (Nikki’s husband was there too) at their stand in the Floral Marquee at Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in early July.

They had won a Gold Medal and were very busy, so we made an arrangement to meet later, in Mill Lane.

Holly and Nicky at their shop in Mill Lane, West Hampstead (Image: Ruth Pavey)

When I visited In The Garden, Holly said that their medal was awarded for the categories; knowledge, creativity, quality, display.  It only took a few moments in their company to realise that they really do know their stuff, and if there were extra categories for enthusiasm and hard work, they would excel in those too.

As an example, the corner shop is tiny, without any yard space at the back but with a good pavement in front, on which, every opening morning they set up a display, and then take it in again at closing time.

Admittedly, many shopkeepers do that, but there is still something heroic about it.  And where does the energy come from?  From the love of gardening - Nikki always loved it, and as a child Holly loved helping her.  

Nikki had retired from her job as a florist, but when Holly wanted to run an independent business, her mother soon backed her up.  They began with borrowing a van and running a stall at Beaconsfield Market.

Six years ago they started in Mill Lane, which they find combines well with keeping a weekly Saturday stall in Golbourne Road Market, and a monthly one at Chiswick Market.

The dresser at In The Garden in Mill Lane with its attractive display (Image: Ruth Pavey)

They also offer planting services, from window boxes to whole gardens, and make a big thing of Christmas, with all the wreaths, table centres, berries, foliage, mistletoe etc, that go with it.  

The indoor plants come from Holland, but increasingly they are stocking seasonal flowers from English growers. Several indoor plants caught my eye as unusual, eg Calathea lancifolia, Rattlesnake Plant, and a blue hanging Vanda orchid.

While looking at them I overheard Holly kindly offering a customer hints on how to look after the plant she had just bought, advice that was well received. It all added to the sense of positive energy filling the shop…

In The Garden is at 92, Mill Lane, NW6. www.inthegardenuk.com 

THINGS TO DO
Sat 7th Sept, Hampstead Garden Suburb Horticultural Society Autumn Show, Free Church Hall, Northway, NW11, 3.00pm, with Grimsdyke Band.

Sat 21st Sept, Muswell Hill Horticultural Society Autumn Show, North Bank, Pages Lane N10, 3.00pm.

Sun 28th Sept, Highgate Horticultural Society Autumn Flower Show, United Reformed Church, N6, 2.00pm

Time to think about spring bulbs – good, unusual ones from Rose Cottage Plants at Plant Heritage Autumn Plant Fair, St Michael’s Primary School, North Hill, Highgate  9.30 – 2.00, Sat 14th Sept, plus lots of other lovely plants from specialist nurseries.

Open through the National Gardens Scheme (ngs.org.uk) – Sun 1st Sept, Golf Course Allotments, Winton Ave, N11 1.00 – 4.30.  Sat 21st Sept, 1a Primrose Gardens NW3.