Succulent city



Lately I've gone a little crazy for succulents - those plants which are native to arid deserts but are fleshy and plump from their aqueous content. Closely related to cactuses, they are often sold side by side.

I'm in love with their quirky shapes, tertiary colours and no fuss care. Pocketing these cute potted plants  takes me back to the days of pick n mix. 

There's definitely a trend for bringing the outside in and Hackney has definitely caught on. While available from most decent florists, I've found a select handful to be go-to sources for all things succulent.

Stroll down to The Schoolyard Market, alongside Broadway market and most Sundays you'll find Ro Co. Rosie and Caro are procurers of air plants, individually designed terrariums, hand-cast pots and delicate copper hanging planters.

Nature is celebrated at concept lifestyle store, Botany on Clapton's Chatsworth Road. Curated by owner Angela Maynard, succulents sit in complementary terracotta pots, vintage vessels house cut flowers and air plants settled here and there like sea urchins. The green theme continues through ceramic homewares, candles, books and stationary. 

Botany, 5 Chatsworth Road, Clapton, London, E5 0LP, botanyshop.co.uk.









Green up your gaff over at Grace & Thorn on Hackney Road. Light and luscious, Nik Southerns' artisanal flower shop, just a stones throw from Columbia Road flower market, is a veritable greenhouse. 

There are so many pretty succulents to choose from here I'm literally like a kid in a candy store. Difficult choice made - step two is to select from the dizzying array of pots to house your specimen - minimalist white, brutalist concrete, mid-century ceramic or ornamental animal head? 

As if the choice wasn't difficult enough, fresh flowers, macrame hangers, pot plants and terrariums provide further distraction. 

Grace & Thorn, 338 Hackney Road, London, E2 7AX, graceandthorn.com.

















On a recent visit to Rita's on Mare Street I noticed the restaurant has devoted a whole wall to these plump perennials. Peaches and green - perfect!

Rita's, 175 Mare Street, London, E8 3RH, ritasbaranddining.com.






All photos by Tori Mayo



Dalston's Christmas trees left out in the cold

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo


Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo


Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo

Photo by Tori Mayo


Wondering why Dalston's conservation area is carpeted in pine needles or why the streets following January 5 resemble a post Christmas apocalypse or Day of the Triffids Festive Special?

Real Christmas trees purchased from the likes of Broadway Market and Columbia Road which spent a few happy weeks basking in the warm glow of twinkling fairy lights and trussed up in tinsel have been disposed of - left out the cold.

Looking characterful, one in particular seems it couldn't escape quick enough, scaling a wall in the process and landing with a thump. Others group together, hiding behind a wall ready to make a run for it.

A pair lay slumped outside The Prince George Pub in the early hours apparently drunk on mulled wine or a few too many London Fields Pale Ales.

Environmentally speaking there are pros and cons in the real versus fake debate. Grown and cut down just for those who feel only real fir will do, this sorry hangover lining the pavements seems rather shameful. 

However it's reassuring to know there's a happy ending for these discarded symbols of Christmas past. They will go on to have a brighter future enriching the local environment.

The corners and curbs of the borough will be cleared of Christmas trees by Hackney Council and the timber recycled. They will be collected within 48 hours of being left outside properties, visible from the road, on rubbish and recycling collection days, during the first two weeks of January.

Trees will be collected from those who live in a block or estate where they are left next to the communal bins.


The wood will be shredded and turned into compost to be used in Hackney's parks and gardens.

Happy New Year everyone!