London Life Places

Growing Concerns Garden Centre

December 5, 2013

A couple of weeks ago on a very cold Saturday afternoon, I was cruising around in my car. I had an hour to kill so decided to get a bit lost. I love those precious moments when I have no care in the world and just get to enjoy being in the moment. Lucky for me I stumbled across the Growing Concern Garden Centre. I’d never been to that part of Wick Lane in the East End.

Quaint, charming and full of character I was instantly smitten. LOVE the green paint!

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

There’s a little cute shop which was full of delightful Christmas decorations. (some examples shown at the end of the post)

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

Was I glad to stand beside the fire. As I was in the car I didn’t dress warmly enough and was absolutely freezing.

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

They had their Christmas Trees early and I’ve never seen so many in one spot.

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

Nice netting machine.

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

All wrapped and ready to go to good homes.

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

Loved the way they marked the various heights of the trees.

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

Charming or what?

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

They had yellow and red buckets. I wanted all of them to brighten up my terrace. What a nice way to display plants and small trees.

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

In case you needed to know where to put these!

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

The light was turning so it must have been just after 4pm. It was so nice to see some colour, despite the time of year.

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

I wanted something for my roof terrace that doesn’t need much looking after in the winter months.  As I recently bought a bird bath I thought this nutritious plant, called Solanum Thorino, would please the birds when they visit for a drink. I pride myself on being a good hostess!

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

Now, I really liked this chap. I’m naming him Rupert! He’s a metal lawn ornament but I worried if it’s very windy, Rupert would fly off the terrace into the Abyss so he didn’t make it home with me. Isn’t he gorgeous?

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

Here are some of the Christmas decorations.  Great colour combination!

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

Loved these kitsch, oriental looking bird cages!

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

What about this regal looking peacock?

Growing Concerns Garden Centre | Colourliving

The garden centre is right by the Hertford Union canal. As they have an entrance gate opposite the Hertford Union Middle Lock, people wander in. On weekends they have a lovely coffee van where you can get coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Growing Concerns is committed to improving public spaces in and around housing estates in East London.

It’s one of the few small, locally run garden centres in London’s East End. The staff were extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Apparently I have to return in the Spring/Summer when I’ll be bowled over by how the place looks. Well, it’s a bit off the beaten track but I cannot wait to return!

Growing Concerns Garden Centre
2 Wick Lane
London E3 2NA

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16 Comments

  • Reply Chi @ 106 December 5, 2013 at 1:53 pm

    What a lovely little shop! So much better than shopping at boring old Homebase. 😀

    It reminds me of the communal garden and cafe/shop in Berlin not far from the venue of the first Hive conference – the name escapes me now …

    Have a lovely weekend! xo

    • Reply tina December 6, 2013 at 1:25 am

      Oh Chi, how can you even mention Homebase???? 🙂

      Yes, wasn’t it the Prinzessinen Garten? It was just next door of the Venue…
      Thanks. have a lovely weekend too x

  • Reply Robin Horton December 5, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    Tina, this is soooooo fabulous! Another place I have now added to my list of great venues to explore when I am back in London. Wow.

    • Reply tina December 6, 2013 at 1:26 am

      Hey Robin, nice to see you here.
      Glad you like it and thank you so much for sharing it on Facebook:-)

      When are you back in London??? Miss you x

  • Reply Catherine@farmhousehome December 6, 2013 at 1:03 am

    This place is lovely and looks so welcoming. I like the kitsch bird cages too, I think they’d look beautiful in a girls bedroom. I love spending time getting lost but prefer to do it walking. I guess you could say I had a ‘date with myself’ last Friday when I walked to the City from our apartment in St Kilda and just observed and took lots of photos! Shame you couldn’t have taken Rupert home, he would have been the perfect pet..one you don’t have to feed, walk or pick up his do do. he he. Thanks for another lovely post, stay warm, posting your Christmas card today. XX

    • Reply tina December 6, 2013 at 1:28 am

      Oh wow. You know I love ‘dates with myself”. How cool you wondered around and took photographs.
      How did it make you feel? Did you enjoy it? Did you feel odd going by yourself?

      Rupert was great but not sturdy enough for the terrace:-( Hahaha, yes easy care, not like Charlie. But then one wouldn’t get
      as much joy as you get from Charlie. I adore him x

      Will look out for the post:-) although takes ages from Australia! xx

      • Reply Catherine@farmhousehome December 9, 2013 at 12:40 pm

        I’ve always loved wandering around by myself, it makes me feel so free. Yes I enjoyed it alot and have never felt odd going by myself. I don’t mind eating by myself in a cafe either every now and then. I haven’t been to the movies by myself though, that would feel a bit odd, I guess that means I should definitely do it. When I posted my card I thought I should have made one also, will give it a go next year! xx

        • Reply tina December 12, 2013 at 7:43 pm

          Try the movie solo experience… it’s fantastic. Think about it, you can go to a movie you really want to see and get lost in it..
          maybe in the beginning it will feel slightly odd but I promise you it’s a great feeling.

          x

  • Reply Alison Sye December 6, 2013 at 6:14 pm

    Love Rupert, and not a single vet bill!
    Especially like the little birds in cages. Looks like a great place.
    Have a good weekend x

    • Reply tina December 9, 2013 at 10:05 am

      Hahaha! Correct. He was colourful and quite lovely, I must say!

      Aren’t they just fab Kitsch??? Loved them!
      Thanks Alison x

  • Reply mel December 7, 2013 at 1:24 am

    This place looks lovely Tina and the outdoor fire so inviting! I so enjoy getting off the beaten track too although I don’t get to do it so much with the kids these days… I don’t know if it’s just from the part of the world I’m from but I’ve never seen Christmas trees netted like that before!?! xx

    • Reply tina December 9, 2013 at 10:08 am

      The outdoor fire was a godsend for me as I was freezing…

      Yes, going off the beaten track is a luxury and even I don’t have enough time to do it these days.
      Before blogging I used to do it a lot….

      I’m not sure how different countries have their Christmas trees netted. I just know that’s how to do them here in the UK. x

  • Reply Holly December 11, 2013 at 12:09 pm

    Very nice place you found! Your bird guests will surely love this plant … and you are the BEST hostess!

    I don’t like seeing so many cut down Xmas trees though. It really breaks my heart. I know that there’s almost nothing as festive as a dressed up tree, but since a few years, I just can’t have them anymore. (I wrote a bit about my tree problem at WHH last week). This year, I went the alternative xmas tree route … pics to come on Instagram soon 🙂

    Xx.

    • Reply tina December 12, 2013 at 7:46 pm

      Aww, sweety you are always so kind… do you know the plants are completely in tact. No one has visited. Mind you, it’s a little cold and a little high up:-)

      I know what you mean and as someone who has never bought or had a tree I suppose I haven’t give this much thought.

      “This year, I went the alternative xmas tree route… pics to come on Instagram soon” Ohhhh, cannot wait. Do share. Sounds fascinating xx

  • Reply Doris December 11, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    There really is something special about garden centres like this. What a great find 🙂 Another little gem you’ve found that I need to add to my list. xD

    • Reply tina December 12, 2013 at 7:47 pm

      It might be a little distance from you but it’s a little gem and you can take a walk by the Canal too. Charming and delightful. x

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