Amsterdam's Bloemenmarkt

Any flower addict lucky enough to be in Amsterdam should check out the city's block-long floating flower market (bloemenmarkt). This market has existed since 1862! The shops really are floating because historically the flowers were brought in by barges. Now, flowers are brought in every day by vans.

People may say it's touristy, but it's a relaxing, free thing to do in central Amsterdam!

Photos from my visit there in April 2011.

check out that price--50 tulips for 10 euro!

Next time I'm in the Netherlands, I definitely need to visit the flower auction in Aalsmeer, where 21 million flowers are exported to places around the world. It's conveniently located near the Amsterdam's Schipol international airport. This place looks so impressive. The Dutch love their fresh flowers (and trading!!!) more than anyone. Check out this video explaining the Dutch flower auction.

New York City's Flower District

Manhattan's flower district on 28th Street, between 7th and 6th Avenues, is quite impressive. It comprises of wholesalers with storefronts offering greens, branches, potted plants, local/imported cut flowers, silk flowers or tropicals. In addition, there are vendors selling floral supplies and vases. If you are visiting and looking for a fun, relaxing activity in NYC where you can surround yourself with beautiful flowers you may not have seen before, I highly recommend checking out the area. Most, if not all, of the vendors will sell to anyone off the street and not exclusively to resellers. The best time to go is around 10am after the morning rush (note that some shops may be closed by noon since they open way before dawn). For those in the floral trade, be prepared to swoon at the flowers readily available to NYC florists.  

Just some of my favorite photos from my visits:

dahlias and I think, gomphrena

blue thistle and ornamental peppers at G Page

late fall sunflowers and hydrangeas

blooming spring branches

ranunculus (March's flower of the month)

astilbe adds such a charming texture to any arrangement (photo taken at Dutch Flower Line)

mango calla lilies 

more pretty hydrangeas

a vendor specializing in different types of high-quality roses--A Rose by Harvest

Paris in the springtime

"Though I often looked for one, I finally had to admit that there could be no cure for Paris"

- Ernest Hemingway

I wholeheartedly agree with Ernest. Paris is incomparable, especially for a flower enthusiast. Since the 19th century, Paris has had open markets and flower carts as their culture dictates that flowers are not just for special occasions, but rather an everyday part of life. My photos of spring blooms when I was there this month last year:

Los Angeles Flower District

Last October, I had the chance to visit Los Angeles to see a friend I haven't seen in a long time. I made sure to visit the city's famous flower district while there. The Los Angeles Flower District is the largest market in the country (six blocks long! 200 wholesalers!). Any flower you can think of, they have it there! I opted to take a tour with Flower Duet, which is a floral design studio owned and operated by two sisters that offers tours once a month. They've been in business for about 15 years so they obviously know their stuff. The tour was two-hours long, and I learned a ton about purchasing flowers (like their favorite vendors, how to tell if the flowers are as fresh as can be, etc). Plus, it was so great to finally see flowers that I have only seen in magazines and blogs in real life!

While there, I made sure to take pics of my favorite flowers. I took so many. Here are just a few of those pics:

stock (i love their sweet scent)

dahlias (the favorite of many 'cause for obvious reasons)

green trick dianthus, so quirky and fun! 

ranunculus, so dainty and pretty 

succulents!

Marché aux Fleurs (Flower Market)

There are many things to love about Paris--fantastic food, rich history, beautiful architecture, etc. But for the floral enthusiast, its daily flower market is guaranteed to be a source of joy. It’s located in Île de la Cité (specifically, on Place Louis-Lepine between the Conciergerie and city hall), and it rocks. It has been around since 1808 and besides delivering floral eye candy, it is a peaceful refuge from the thousands of tourists visiting the nearby Notre Dame.