Freelance journalist Emma Alexander enjoyed a visit to New Covent Garden Flower Market during Chelsea Flower Show week, meeting wholesalers including Bryan Porter of Porters Foliage (below right, with Emma).

Based in Belfast, Emma’s in the capital to visit the world's most prestigious Flower Show, making her first visit to Nine Elms since the Flower Market moved to its temporary location as part of the site’s redevelopment. “You can feel the passion that everyone working at the Flower Market has for their clients," said Emma, adding: "As a trained florist myself, it's such a wonderful place to visit. You can almost feel the Market’s heartbeat and it's such a hive of knowledge."

Emma edits the British Florist Association (BFA) magazine, writing for a diverse readership of retail, event florists, and industry professionals across the UK. With a print and online version published four times each year, a future issue is set to include a feature on the Flower Market and one of its longest-standing businesses: Porters Foliage.

Bryan Porter is now the fifth generation of his family to run the business. As a platinum member of the BFA, Bryan said it’s vital to be part of such and diverse and helpful community of florists around the county. “The floristry industry is constantly changing, so we need to ensure as wholesalers that we continue to bend with the wind and react to the challenges we face,” said Bryan. He added: “The BFA is growing in both membership and influence, so I’m looking for growers, wholesalers and florists to continue to work together so the entire floristry supply chain remains successful. I’m often asked questions by florists and I’m happy to support other members and vice versa.”

With the Flower Market trading between 4am and 10am each day - and wholesalers arriving even earlier to set up for the day ahead - Emma’s first question was a personal one, asking Bryan ‘How much sleep do you get?’. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the answer was ‘not enough!’. “I get an average of five hours sleep each night,” said Bryan, adding that everyone does eventually get used to the early mornings but it’s never easy, regardless of how many years you’ve worked in the Market.

Bryan guided Emma through the history of old Covent Garden Flower Market, explaining how Porters first started in 1911. Looking ahead, Bryan talked about the move in 2028 to the Flower Market’s new and permanent home on the ground floor of the Market’s Food Exchange building.

“It’s been an amazing morning visiting the Market and seeing how busy it is during Flower Show week,” said Emma, reflecting on her visit. “It’s very exciting to hear all the plans for the Flower Market’s future and I can’t wait to return and find out more.”